Stereolithography method and apparatus employing various penetration depths
US5182056A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jan 26, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 27, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/49013
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved stereolithographic apparatus (SLA) and an improved method for generating a part from curable material. The invention utilizes control and/or knowledge of depths of penetration of actinic radiation into a vat of photopolymer to determine and/or control and/or produce desirable characteristics associated with the creation of parts. From a predictive point of view, these desirable characteristics may include determination of cure depth from a given exposure, determination cure width, determination of required minimum surface angle (MSA), determination of optimum skin fill spacing, the strength of cross sections of partially polymerized material, amount of curl type distortion, and necessary overcure to attain adhesion between layers, etc. These determinations can lead to the use of particular building techniques to insure adequate part formation. From the controlling and producing point of view, the penetration depths can be controlled to obtain optimized characteristics for a given layer thickness, maximized speed of drawing, minimized print through, maximized strength, minimum curl and other distortions, and maximum resolution, etc. An important aspect of the present inv…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.