Patent · US Active

Method for removing excess uncured build material in solid imaging

US7731887B2 · kind B2 · utility

23Cited by
49References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 17, 2007
Grant dateJun 8, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 26, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB33Y10/00
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Solid imaging apparatus and methods for use are disclosed that reduce the amount of uncured solid imaging build material remaining on a completed build object following the completion of the solid imaging build process. The amount of uncured build material is reduced through the use of either an uncoating web that removes excess build material from the build object during the course of the building process or an ink jet source of build material that uses only as much build material as is necessary for the fabrication of the build part. Also disclosed is an imager assembly for use with such a solid imaging apparatus that incorporates two or more individual imagers in an array and accounts for variations in the intensity and alignment of adjacent imagers. The apparatus can be modified for semi-continuous operation and for integrating into a manufacturing operation, if desired.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.