Patent · US Expired

Stereolithographic apparatus and method

US5133987A · kind A · utility

102Cited by
9References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 27, 1989
Grant dateJul 28, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 27, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB33Y30/00
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A stereolithographic device and method including a process module, a control module and a service module. A laser is employed through a dynamic mirror system controlled by the control module to generate solidified cross sections of a selected part design on the surface of a photocurable polymer liquid. By lowering cured cross sections into the vat, additional cross sections can be perpared and joined therewith to define a prototype product. A stationary mirror in the beam path between the dynamic mirror system and the photocurable polymer is employed to make the system more compact and practical. A calibration and normalization process provides correction to distortions and misalignment of the stationary mirror.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.