Method and apparatus for production of three-dimensional objects by stereolithography
Assignee3D Systems, Inc.
InventorCharles W. Hull
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims8
An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object from a medium capable of solidification when subjected to synergistic stimulation, said apparatus comprising:
- a container for holding a body of said medium;
- means for forming successive layers of medium adjacent to any previously formed cross-sectional layers of structure in preparation for forming successive cross-sectional layers of structure;
- means for exposing said successive layers of medium to said synergistic stimulation to form and adhere successive cross-sectional layers of structure together to form said object from a plurality of adhered layers;
- and
- means for automatically removing said three-dimensional object from said body of medium.
A method of producing a three-dimensional object from a medium capable of solidification when subjected to synergistic stimulation, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a body of said medium;
- forming successive layers of said medium adjacent to any previously formed cross-sectional layers of structure in preparation for forming successive cross-sectional layers of structure;
- exposing said successive layers of medium to said synergistic stimulation to form and adhere successive cross-sectional layers of structure of said object together to form said three-dimensional object from a plurality of adhered layers;
- and
- automatically separating said three-dimensional object from said body of medium.
An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object from a medium capable of solidification when exposed to synergistic stimulation, said apparatus comprising:
- a computer programmed to provide data representing cross-sections of the three-dimensional object to be formed;
- a container for holding said medium;
- a source of a beam of synergistic stimulation;
- a platform relatively moveable with respect to a surface of said medium for supporting said object as it is being produced and for relatively separating said surface and any previously solidified cross-sectional layers of structure to allow formation of successive layers of medium adjacent to any previously formed cross-sectional layers of structure;
- a computer controlled scanner located along an optical path between said source and a surface of the medium for directing said beam onto said surface in accordance with said data to selectively form and adhere said layers of structure, whereby a plurality of adhered cross-sectional layers of structure form the three-dimensional object;
- a computer programmed to automatically remove said three-dimensional object from said body of medium including relatively displacing said platform and said body of medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.