High temperature modeling apparatus
US6722872B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S264/57
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus (10) that builds up three-dimensional objects in a heated build chamber (24) by dispensing modeling material from a dispensing head (14) onto a base (16) in a pattern determined by control signals from a controller (140). The motion control components (18, 20) of the apparatus (10) are external to and thermally isolated from the build chamber (24). A deformable thermal insulator (132) forms a ceiling of the building chamber, allowing motion control of the dispensing head (14) in an x, y plane by an x-y gantry (18) located outside of and insulated from the build chamber (24). In the preferred embodiment, a material dispensing outlet (66) of the dispensing head is inside the chamber. Thermal isolation of the motion control components from the build chamber allows the chamber to be maintained at a high temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.