Method and apparatus for prototyping a three-dimensional object
US6375874B1 · kind B1 · utility
234Cited by
25References
51Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/25
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A printer forms three-dimensional objects from a powder by selectively applying a binder liquid to incremental layers of the powder. The binder binds layers of the powder into solid two-dimensional cross sections of the desired object provided from memory. The printer can use dithering and halftoning techniques to shade the object and can also print in color. A filtration system removes airborne powder and recirculates the clean air. The printer also includes additional features to manage excess and airborne powder.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.