Patent · US Expired

Stereolithographic apparatus and method of use

US5247180A · kind A · utility

205Cited by
6References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 30, 1991
Grant dateSep 21, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 30, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29C2035/0838
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A stereolithographic apparatus is disclosed comprising a vat, a working surface in the vat, an elevating mechanism for controlling the level of liquid within the vat relative to the working surface, an illumination source for emitting radiation, and an area array deformable mirror device. The illumination source emits radiation which is operable to harden a stereolithographic liquid, while the deformable mirror device is operable to reflect the incident radiation onto the surface of the liquid. The deformable mirror device can harden an entire lamina of liquid in one brief exposure interval increasing throughout without sacrificing resolution.

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