摘要:
An apparatus and a method for calibrating and normalizing a stereolithographic apparatus so that a reaction means directed by a positioning means supplied with positioning means information may be positioned accurately on a designated surface of a working medium. One or more sensors fixed in location with respect to the designated surface of the working medium are utilized to correlate positioning means information with specific locations on the designated surface of the working medium. Other locations intermediate the specific locations may then be determined by the technique of linear interpolation.
摘要:
Improved apparatus and methods for forming a layer of material over a surface of a previously-formed cross-section of a three-dimensional object in anticipation of forming a next cross-section of the object out of the layer. A volume of material, including at least some excess material, is placed over the surface, and the excess material is swept off by placing the excess material in the predetermined path of a sweeping member, the path being substantially in a plane spaced from a working surface of material. The member may be directed to sweep the excess material away through a successive number of sweeps, which may vary for each cross-section, at least a velocity which may vary for each sweep. Additionally, the clearance between the member and the surface of the previous cross-section may vary for each sweep. A "winged" member is also provided, comprising two legs extending from a base, and a "Trident" embodiment is also provided, comprising three legs extending from a base.
摘要:
Apparatus and method for stereolithographically forming a three-dimensional object includes a vessel for holding a building material and a smoothing member for forming a uniform coating over a previously formed layer of the object. The smoothing member has a plurality of blades. The smoothing member is swept over a previously formed layer of the object, in at least two directions. Different clearances between the lower surface of the smoothing member and the upper surface of the previously formed layer are used to provide a uniform coating for a subsequent layer over the previously formed layer. The sweeping velocity of the smoothing member can be varied. Retractable needles are attached to the smoothing member for adjusting a blade gap between a lower surface of the smoothing member and the surface of the building material.
摘要:
Improved apparatus and methods for forming a layer of material over a surface of a previously-formed cross-section of a three-dimensional object in anticipation of forming a next cross-section of the object out of the layer. A volume of material, including at least some excess material, is placed over the surface, and the excess material is swept off by placing the excess material in the predetermined path of a sweeping member, the path being substantially in a plane spaced from a working surface of material. The member may be directed to sweep the excess material away through a successive number of sweeps, which may vary for each cross-section, at least a velocity which may vary for each sweep. Additionally, the clearance between the member and the surface of the previous cross-section may vary for each sweep. A "winged" member is also provided, comprising two legs extending from a base, and a "Trident" embodiment is also provided, comprising three legs extending from a base.
摘要:
A variety of support structures and build styles for use in Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing systems are described wherein particular emphasis is given to Thermal Stereolithography, Fused Deposition Modeling, and Selective Deposition Modeling systems, and wherein a 3D modeling system is presented which uses multijet dispensing and a single material for both object and support formation.
摘要:
Tool having a molding surface is formed from a flowable material (e.g., powder material) wherein the shape of molding surface is formed from a molding process using a master pattern having a surface with a shape substantially the same as the shape of the molding surface to be formed. The tool has at least one thermal control element located within it and spaced from the molding surface where a component used in forming the thermal control element is located within the flowable material prior to solidifying the material. The powder material is preferably a mixture of metals. The thermal control elements include fluid flow paths, heating elements, temperature sensors, and the like.
摘要:
A system and associated method for forming three-dimensional objects under computer control and from a material which may be rendered flowable and then dispensed on a layer-by-layer basis. The layers of the material solidify or otherwise physically transform upon being dispensed thereby forming successive cross-sections. The dispensing process is repeated whereby successive layers adhere to each other thereby forming the object.
摘要:
The invention involves an improved system for producing a three-dimensional object by forming successive cross-sections of the object from a material which is normally solid but which may be made flowable, including using data manipulation for converting a three-dimensional object representation into cross-sectional representations.
摘要:
Apparatus and methods for stereolithographically forming a three-dimensional object includes a vessel for holding a building material and a smoothing member for forming a uniform coating over a previously formed layer of the object. The smoothing member has a plurality of blades. The smoothing member is swept over a previously formed layer of the object, in at least two directions. Different clearances between the lower surface of the smoothing member and the upper surface of the previously formed layer are used to provide a uniform coating for a subsequent layer over the previously formed layer. The sweeping velocity of the smoothing member can be varied. Retractable needles are attached to the smoothing member for adjusting a blade gap between the lower surface of the smoothing member and the surface of the building material.
摘要:
An active mirror laser amplifier is described having a slab of Nd:glass which is optically pumped through the back face while the laser beam enters the slab through the front face and is reflected by a coating on the back face which reflects the laser beam while transmitting the pumping radiation. The laser beam is amplified as it moves toward the back face and after reflection from the back face as it propagates out and is emitted from the front face. The front face has an anti-reflection coating for the laser beam which coating reflects the pumping radiation. The storage efficiency of the laser is thereby increased and the temperature gradients in the slab are reduced (viz., the temperature profile is smoothed such that distortion of the slab is reduced and high power operation at high repetition rates of the laser pulse is obtainable).