摘要:
Apparatus for and related methods of forming three-dimensional objects out of a building material, which is normally solid, but which is flowable when heated. In one embodiment, a support material is used to fill in portions of layers which are not to be solidified as part of the object, thus providing support to otherwise unsupported portions of other layers. Advantageously, the support material is also normally solid and flowable when heated, and has a lower melting point than the building material enabling the support material to later be removed without damaging the object. In an alternative embodiment this support material can be used to build a support such as a web support, or the like, for supporting an object surface from a second surface. In another alternative embodiment, such an apparatus is combined with a conventional stereolithographic apparatus to provide means for forming an object out of conventional stereolithographic materials, but utilizing a normally solid but thermally-flowable support material to provide support to the object, either on a layer-by layer basis, or by building supports such as web supports.
摘要:
Apparatus for and related methods of forming three-dimensional objects out of a building material, which is normally solid, but which is flowable when heated. In one embodiment, a support material is used to fill in portions of layers which are not to be solidified as part of the object, thus providing support to otherwise unsupported portions of other layers. Advantageously, the support material is also normally solid and flowable when heated, and has a lower melting point than the building material enabling the support material to later be removed without damaging the object. In an alternative embodiment this support material can be used to build a support such as a web support, or the like, for supporting an object surface from a second surface. In another alternative embodiment, such an apparatus is combined with a conventional stereolithographic apparatus to provide means for forming an object out of conventional stereolithographic materials, but utilizing a normally solid but thermally-flowable support material to provide support to the object, either on a layer-by layer basis, or by building supports such as web supports.
摘要:
An example system for printing three-dimensional (3D) objects includes a computer processor and a computer memory including instructions that cause the computer processor to receive a 3D model of a 3D object to be printed. The computer memory also includes instructions that cause the computer processor to generate a perforated brim model of a perforated brim object to be printed based on the 3D model. The perforated brim model includes a perforation pattern. The computer memory also further includes instructions that cause the computer processor to cause a 3D printer to print the perforated brim object and the 3D object. The perforation pattern of the perforated brim object is to be coupled to the 3D object.
摘要:
Machine tools combine material addition via ultrasonic object consolidation and subtractive techniques for imparting high-dimensional accuracy to a finished object. A material supply and feeder, ultrasonic horn, and feedstock cutting device are integrated with a material removal subsystem preferably including a cutting tool and an excess material removal system. Any metal, plastic or composite material suitable for ultrasonic joining may be employed as a feedstock, and these material may assume the form of tapes, sheets, wires, filaments, dots or droplets, with the feeding and material cutting components being designed for the specific feedstock employed. The cutting tool for excess material removal, may be a knife, drill/mill, grinding tool, or other tool capable of accurately cutting the external contour of a cross section of the part being built, and for removing excess feedstock remaining following the application process. The material removal could consist of a vacuum or blower system, chip auger, or other suitable apparatus. A machine disclosed as part of the preferred embodiment is able to deposit material in one step, and optionally and selectively remove it in another. Through the expeditious combination of deposition and removal, the fabrication of objects of arbitrary shape may be realized.
摘要:
A three dimensional modelling system comprising means for providing coordinate information with respect to a three-dimensional element and means responsive to said coordinate information by providing a three-dimensional physical model of said three-dimensional element by sequentially solidifying a plurality of layers of a first material and including means for adding to each layer of said first material, prior to solidification of a subsequent layer of the first material thereover, a second material.
摘要:
A freeform fabrication process and apparatus for making a colorful 3-D object. The process includes (1) operating a multiple-channel droplet deposition device for supplying and, on demand, ejecting droplets of multiple liquid compositions containing a solidifiable baseline body-building material and different colorants; (2) providing a support platform a distance from this deposition device to receive the droplets therefrom; and (3) during the droplet ejecting process, moving the deposition device and the platform relative to one another in an X-Y plane and in a Z direction orthogonal to the X-Y plane so that the droplets are deposited to form multiple layers to build a colorful 3-D object. These steps are executed under the control of a computer system by taking additional steps of (4) creating a geometry and color pattern of the object on a computer with the geometry including a plurality of color-coded segments defining the object; (5) generating programmed signals corresponding to each of the segments in a predetermined sequence; and (6) moving the deposition device and the platform relative to each other in response to these programmed signals. Preferably, the system is also operated to generate a support structure for any un-supported feature of 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:
A three dimensional article is produced layer by layer by jetting droplets of at least two different hardenable materials, as appropriate, into the various layers, the first material forming the article itself, and the second material forming a support for the article as necessary. The second material is thereafter separated from the first material, e.g., by heat, to form the desired article.
摘要:
A system responsive to coordinate information for automatically providing a three-dimensional physical model of a desired geometry and comprising apparatus for selectably solidifying a solidifiable material on a sequential layer by layer basis characterized in that following selectable solidification of a given layer, the non-solidified portions thereof are removed and replaced by a removable support material which is not solidifiable under the same conditions as the solidifiable material.
摘要:
A system and a method of fabricating a three-dimensional object on a substrate includes adding material layers incrementally and consolidating the layers by using ultrasonic vibrations and pressure. The layers are placed in position to shape the object by a material feeding unit, and they come in various forms, including flat sheets, segments of tape, strands of filament or single dots of material. The material may be plastic or metallic, and composition may vary discontinuously or gradually from one layer to the next, creating a region of functionally gradient material. The invention permits the construction and repair of dense objects, including fiber-reinforced composites and aerospace structures. Excess material may be removed one or more layers are bonded, including following end of the process after the final object is fabricated. The layers are fed sequentially and additively according to a layer-by-layer computer-model description of the object, which is generated by a computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system. Ultrasonic welding equipment applicable to the invention preferably includes an ultrasonic generator, a transducer, a booster and a head unit or sonotrode.