Use of a support liquid to manufacture three-dimensional objects
US5573721A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 16, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/17
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system is provided for producing a three dimensional object from a reactive liquid medium capable of being solidified. The object is constructed from many successive layers of the solidified reactive liquid medium when subjected to appropriate synergistic stimulation. A reservoir contains both the reactive liquid medium and an underlying supporting, substantially immiscible, non-reactive liquid medium. To begin forming the object, a platform within the reservoir is initially positioned at a depth equal to the thickness of a first layer to be solidified, and continues to support the object being constructed. The synergistic source radiates toward the reactive liquid medium and imaging apparatus defining a three dimensional object of required configuration selectively controls the size and shape of that part of a new two dimensional layer to be solidified. At least part of the new layer is solidified, after which a further layer is applied. This sequence is repeated until all of the solidified layers define the three dimensional object being constructed. In another embodiment, a first part of the new two dimensional layer of the reactive liquid medium is solidified, then all unreac…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.