Apparatus and method including deviation sensing and recovery features for making three-dimensional articles
US5859775A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C2035/0838
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A three-dimensional article making apparatus includes a build material dispenser for dispensing build material based upon the article defining data, and a deviation sensor for sensing a deviation during construction of the article. The apparatus may operate the build material dispensing means to adjust or recover for a sensed deviation during construction of the article. A portion of dispensed build material may be removed responsive to a sensed deviation. In addition, the deviation sensor may be operated a plurality of times during construction of the article, and a portion of dispensed build material may be removed down to a previous desired article portion. The deviation sensor may be provided by article formation deviation sensor, a build material dispenser sensor, an article defining data deviation sensor, and/or a build rate deviation sensor. The article deviation sensor may cooperate with a heated electrically conductive body used to periodically dimensionally normalize the article. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.