# US 5,344,298 A · Apparatus for making three-dimensional objects by stereolithography > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,344,298 A - Document ID: US5344298A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/967,303 - Filed: 1992-10-20 - Granted: 1994-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 1984-08-08 - Assignees: 3D Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Charles W. Hull - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5344298A ## CPC - B29C 35/08: by wave energy or particle radiation {(B29C64/00, B29C71/04 take precedence)} - B29C 41/20: incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. moulding inserts or for coating articles - B29C 64/135: the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources - B33Y 30/00: Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor - B33Y 50/02: for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes - G03F 7/0037: {Production of three-dimensional images} - G03F 7/70416: {2.5D lithography} - G09B 25/00: Models for purposes not provided for in G09B23/00, e.g. full-sized devices for demonstration purposes (model vehicles, tracks therefor, models in the nature of toys A63H) - G09B 25/02: of industrial processes; of machinery - B29C 35/0866: {using particle radiation} - B29C 2035/0827: {using UV radiation} - B29C 2035/0833: {using actinic light} - B29C 2035/0844: {using X-ray} - B29C 2035/0877: {using electron radiation, e.g. beta-rays} - G05B 2219/49013: Deposit layers, cured by scanning laser, stereo lithography SLA, prototyping - G05B 2219/49017: DTM desktop manufacturing, prototyping - Y10T 156/17: Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - G03F: PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR; (phototypographic composing devices B41B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; electrophotography, sensitive layers or processes therefor G03G) - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A system for generating three-dimensional objects by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed at a selected surface of a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state in response to appropriate synergistic stimulation by impinging radiation, particle bombardment or chemical reaction, successive adjacent laminae, representing corresponding successive adjacent cross-sections of the object, being automatically formed and integrated together to provide a step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object, whereby a three-dimensional object is formed and drawn from a substantially planar surface of the fluid medium during the forming process. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object from a medium capable of solidification when subjected to a reactive material on substantially a layer by layer basis, comprising: means for generating cross-sectional data descriptive of cross-sections of the three-dimensional object to be formed; means for forming successive layers of medium; means for selectively solidifying at least portions of said successive layers of medium, including means for selectively dispensing a reactive material onto said portions of the layers of medium to be solidified, wherein a combination including the medium and the reactive material result in solidification of the medium, and wherein the solidified portions of said successive layers of medium form successive layers of the three-dimensional object; and means for adhering said successive layers of said three-dimensional object together to form said three-dimensional object from a plurality of solidified layers of said medium. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said successive layers of said medium are formed adjacent to previously solidified layers of said three-dimensional object and adhesion occurs upon solidification of said layers of said medium. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for selectively dispensing comprises an ink-jet dispenser which is computer controlled. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for selectively dispensing comprises a mask through which said material is dispensed onto said medium. ### Claim 5 An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object from a medium capable of solidification when subjected to a chemical on substantially a layer by layer basis, comprising: means for generating cross-sectional data descriptive of cross-sections of the three-dimensional object to be formed; means for forming layers of said medium to be solidified; means for forming layers of said three-dimensional object by selectively solidifying at least portions of said layers of medium including means for selectively dispensing said chemical onto said portions of said layers of medium; and means for adhering said layers of said three-dimensional object together to form said three-dimensional object. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said layers of said medium are formed adjacent to previously solidified layers of said three-dimensional object and adhesion occurs upon solidification of said layers of said medium. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for selectively dispensing comprises an ink-jet dispenser which is computer controlled. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for selectively dispensing comprises a mask through which said chemical is dispensed onto said medium. ### Claim 9 An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object, comprising: means for generating cross-sectional data descriptive of cross-sections of the three-dimensional object; means for forming layers of an unsolidified medium wherein said unsolidified medium is capable of being solidified by chemical reactions; means for forming successive layers of said three-dimensional object by selectively solidifying said layers of medium including means for selectively spraying a material onto said layers of unsolidified medium to induce said chemical reactions; and means for adhering said successive layers of said three-dimensional object together to form said three-dimensional object from a plurality of adhered layers. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said layers of said medium are formed adjacent to previously solidified layers of said three-dimensional object and adhesion occurs upon solidification of said layers of said medium. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for selectively spraying comprises an ink-jet dispenser which is computer controlled. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for selectively spraying comprises a mask through which said material is dispensed onto said medium. ### Claim 13 A apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object from a medium capable of solidification when subjected to a material on substantially a layer by layer basis, comprising: computer means for generating cross-sectional data descriptive of cross-sections of the three-dimensional object; means for forming successive layers of medium to be solidified adjacent to previously formed layers of medium; means for selectively solidifying and adhering successive layers of medium to form successive layers of said three-dimensional object, including means for dispensing a material onto said portions of the layers of medium to be solidified, wherein a combination including the medium and the material result in solidification of the medium, thereby forming the three-dimensional object from a plurality of solidified and adhered layers of said medium. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said means for selectively dispensing comprises an ink-jet dispenser. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the means for selectively dispensing comprises a mask through which said material is dispensed onto said medium.