Apparatus for forming a solid three-dimensional article from a liquid medium
US5071337A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 1990 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C64/135
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A solid three-dimensional article is formed from a liquid medium by initially coating a layer of the liquid medium on an apertured support plate. An initial cross-section or profile of the article then is formed by solidifying the liquid medium, or at least a portion thereof, on the support plate. An expandable member at a bottom of a container for holding a supply of the liquid medium, then is expanded an incremental amount to raise the level of the liquid medium in the container upward through the apertured support plate to a level above the support plate so as to form a meniscus around the solidified cross-section or profile of the article. The solidified cross-section or profile of the article then is coated with an additional layer of the liquid medium, causing the meniscus to break and the just-added liquid medium layer and the previous liquid medium to merge, whereupon the additional layer is essentially immediately solidified to form another cross-section or profile of the article. The expandable member then is again expanded an incremental amount to again raise the level of the liquid medium in the container upward to define a meniscus around the second solidified cross-se…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.