Methods of producing articles having three-dimensional topography
US9248682B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 2013 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41L13/12
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of making a bas relief from a two-dimensional image includes converting a two-dimensional image to a gray-scale image that comprises a plurality of shades of gray. Each shade of gray corresponds to a respective elevation of a three dimensional representation of the two-dimensional image. The gray-scale image is then converted to a half-tone bitmap image that is etched onto a print screen stencil. Meltable powder is forced through the open mesh areas of the print screen stencil to form a three-dimensional pattern of powder on a substrate positioned beneath the print screen stencil in spaced-apart relationship therewith. The three-dimensional pattern of the powder corresponds to the three-dimensional representation of the two-dimensional image. The three-dimensional pattern of powder is then heated to fuse the powder together to form a bas relief.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.