Method for producing a three-dimensional object by means of mask exposure
US8815143B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 2011 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y50/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention describes device and method for producing a three-dimensional object by solidifying a solidifiable material under an action of electromagnetic radiation by means of energy input via an imaging unit comprising a predetermined number of discrete imaging elements (pixels). The energy input related to a specific cross-sectional area of the three-dimensional object is controlled by exposure by means of multiple successive raster masks (bitmaps; e.g. bitmap 1 and bitmap 2 and possibly additional ones). The imaging unit is suitably controllable such that at least two masks can be generated, including a first overall mask covering the cross-sectional area (bitmap 1; with pixel-specific area elements exposing in white light) and a partial mask (bitmap 2; in which only a fraction of the area elements are exposed pixel-specifically with white light) within the overall mask. A voxel matrix may be formed. A hardness depth per voxel (volume pixel) can be specifically and precisely influenced in the solidifyable material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.