Process of and apparatus for making a three-dimensional article

An apparatus for making a three-dimensional article based upon article defining data, said apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• build material dispensing means for dispensing build material based upon the article defining data to construct wall portions extending outwardly from said base and defining at least one cavity;
• said base comprising penetrable surface defining means for being penetrated to introduce fill material into the at least one cavity;
• and
• filling means for introducing solidifiable fill material into the at least one cavity so that solidified fill material defines at least a portion of the three-dimensional article or defines at least one mold portion for facilitating molding of the three-dimensional article.

An apparatus for making a three-dimensional article based upon article defining data, said apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• build material dispensing means for dispensing build material based upon the article defining data to construct a mold skin extending outwardly from said base and defining at least one cavity;
• filling means for introducing solidifiable fill material into the at least one cavity to form solid mold portions;
• and
• molding means for using the solid mold portions to form the three-dimensional article.

An apparatus for making a mold comprising:

• a base;
• build material dispensing means for dispensing build material to construct a mold skin extending outwardly from said base and defining at least one cavity;
• filling means for introducing solidifiable fill material into the at least one cavity to form solid mold portions;
• and
• separating means for separating the solid mold portions from the mold skin.

A method for making a three-dimensional article based upon article defining data, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a base having a penetrable surface;
• dispensing build material based upon the article defining data to construct wall portions extending outwardly from the base and defining at least one cavity;
• and
• penetrating the penetrable surface of the base and introducing fill material therethrough and into the at least one cavity so that the fill material defines at least a portion of the three-dimensional article or defines at least one mold portion for facilitating molding of the three-dimensional article.

A method for making a three-dimensional article based upon article defining data, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a base;
• dispensing build material based upon article defining data to construct a mold skin extending outwardly from the base and defining at least one cavity;
• introducing solidifiable fill material into the at least one cavity to form solid mold portions;
• and
• molding the three-dimensional article using the solid mold portions.