US 6,030,199 A · Apparatus for freeform fabrication of a three-dimensional object

Abstract

An improved apparatus and method for forming a three-dimensional object by planar deposition of forming materials includes containers for holding molten forming materials, mechanical piston or screw members in the containers for pressurizing the molten forming materials in each of the containers, and an adjustable planar nozzle mechanism coupled to the containers through which the pressurized molten forming materials flow to form variable width planar jets that are deposited in layers onto a substrate movable along three axes to form the three-dimensional object. The adjustable planar nozzle mechanism includes cooperating position controllable plates for forming a variable width planar nozzle opening. The edges of the planar nozzle opening are advantageously non-parallel at the ends of the nozzle opening to ensure uniform thickness of the deposited planar jets.

Claims21

Dependent claims

In a system for forming a three-dimensional object by depositing successive layers of a molten forming material on a movable substrate, an apparatus for providing said layers comprising:

a container for holding said molten forming material;
an inlet port for supplying forming material to said container;
movable member for pressurizing said molten forming material within said container;
an outlet port;
and
an adjustable planar nozzle mechanism cooperating with said outlet port for forming variable size planar jets of said pressurized molten forming material, said planar jets being deposited in layers on said substrate to form said three dimensional object.

3 more elements

A system for forming a three-dimensional object by depositing successive layers of at least one molten forming material on a movable substrate, said system comprising:

at least one container having a corresponding outlet port for supplying said at least one molten forming material;
at least one adjustable planar nozzle mechanism cooperating with said corresponding outlet port for forming variable size planar jets of said pressurized at least one molten forming material, said at least one adjustable planar nozzle mechanism comprising cooperating position controllable plates, which are movable in relation to each other, for forming a variable width planar nozzle opening through which said planar jets flow toward said substrate;
and
a control subsystem for controlling the deposition of said planar jets on said substrate to form said three dimensional object.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for freeform fabrication of a three-dimensional object

Life of this patent

Apparatus for freeform fabrication of a three-dimensional object

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21