Apparatus and method for dispensing build material to make a three-dimensional article
US5717599A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1798
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A three-dimensional article making apparatus includes a build material dispenser positioned adjacent a platform for ejecting a plurality of droplets of build material; and dispenser positioners for relatively positioning the dispenser in five degrees of freedom with respect to the platform. Accordingly, the dispenser may be rotated and flipped to permit construction of a cantilevered portion of an article without requiring support material. The dispenser positioners include a Z-direction positioner for positioning the dispenser vertically relative to the platform, an X-Y positioner for positioning the dispenser in an X-Y planar direction relative to the platform, a flip angle positioner for rotatably positioning the dispenser relative to a generally horizontal axis, and a phi angle positioner for rotatably positioning the dispenser relative to a generally vertical axis. A processor is operatively connected to the dispenser and the dispenser positioners for advancing the dispenser along a predetermined path of travel while operating or firing the dispenser to construct the three-dimensional article in successive layers or portions based upon the article defining data. Method aspects…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.