Method of manufacturing a three-dimensional plastic article

A method of producing a three dimensional object having an insert, comprising:

• creating a computer-based model of the object;
• providing a reservoir of a liquid polymer material capable of solidification upon exposure to ultraviolet light;
• forming a first layer of the object by selectively exposing the surface of the material to a beam of ultraviolet light so as to solidify the selectively exposed surface;
• coating the first layer of the object with a thin coating of the liquid material;
• locating the insert comprising a second material onto an upper surface of the partially formed object;
• forming further layers of the object by selectively exposing the surface of the material to the beam of ultraviolet light so as to solidify the selectively exposed surface;
• and
• repeating the coating and exposing steps so as to form a plurality of successive layers comprising the three dimensional object at least partially containing the insert.

A method of producing a chip carrier, comprising:

• creating a computer-based model of the chip carrier;
• providing a reservior of a liquid polymer material capable of solidification upon exposure to ultraviolet light;
• forming a support structure by selectively exposing the surface of the material to a laser beam of ultraviolet light so as to solidify the selectively exposed surface;
• placing a substrate having an integrated circuit on the support structure;
• coating at least the support structure with a thin coating of the material;
• forming a layer of the chip carrier by selectively exposing the surface of the material to the beam of ultraviolet light so as to solidify the selectively exposed surface;
• and
• repeating the coating and exposing steps so as to form a plurality of successive layers comprising the chip carrier substantially containing the integrated circuit, portions of the substrate remaining uncoated with the solidified material.