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Assignee3D Systems, Inc.
InventorsHerbert E. Evans, Jr., Ernest W. Ertley, Charles W. Hull, Richard N. Leyden
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An improved stereolithographic apparatus and method is described. In one embodiment, the improvement includes immersing at least a portion of a part in a volume of a liquid solvent in a vapor degreaser while subjecting the portion to ultrasonic agitation to substantially remove excess resin. Several examples of solvents are provided, including ethanol, and Freon TMS. In a second embodiment, the improvement includes building the part on a layer of liquid resin supported by a volume of a dense, immiscible, and UV transparent intermediate liquid, and integratably immersing at least a portion of the built part in the intermediate liquid, and then either subjecting the immersed portion to ultrasonic agitation to substantially remove excess resin, or subjecting the immersed portion to UV light. Several examples of intermediate liquids are provided, including perfluorinated fluids, such as Fluorinert FC-40, and water-based salt solutions, such as solutions of magnesium sulfate or sodium chloride in water.
A method for producing and cleaning a three-dimensional object which is stereolithographically produced substantially layer by layer from a building material solidifiable upon exposure to synergistic stimulation, comprising:
A method for producing and cleaning a three-dimensional object which is stereolithographically produced substantially layer by layer from a building material solidifiable upon exposure to synergistic stimulation, comprising:
An improved apparatus for producing and cleaning a three-dimensional object which is stereolithographically produced substantially layer by layer from a building material solidifiable upon exposure to synergistic stimulation, comprising means for forming successive layers of said building material, means for forming successive cross-sectional layers of structure of said object by selectively exposing said successive layers of building material to said synergistic stimulation, and means for adhering said successive cross-sectional layers to form said object, the improvement comprising:
An apparatus for producing and cleaning a three-dimensional object which is stereolithographically produced substantially layer by layer from a building material solidifiable upon exposure to synergistic stimulation, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.