Patent · US Active

Lamination shaping apparatus

US8070474B2 · kind B2 · utility

29Cited by
9References
46Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 30, 2008
Grant dateDec 6, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 30, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P10/25
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A lamination shaping apparatus has a powder layer preparing means and an optical unit which irradiates a light beam to an intended portion of a powder layer so as to sinter or melt for solidifying the portion into a cured layer. Preparation of the powder layer and curing of the cured layer are repeated to fabricate a three-dimensional object in which a plurality of the cured layers are laminated and integrated. The apparatus includes a fixed base carrying thereon the powder layer and the cured layer, an elevator frame surrounding a periphery of the fixed base, and driving means for driving the elevator frame to move vertically. The powder layer is formed within a space above the base and surrounded by an interior surface of the elevator fame such that the powder layer (cured layer) can be stacked on the base with the base being kept at a fixed position, thereby facilitating to fabricate a precisely shaped object.

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