US20090110763A1 - Material Delivery Tension and Tracking System for Use in Solid Imaging - Google Patents
Material Delivery Tension and Tracking System for Use in Solid Imaging Download PDFInfo
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- US20090110763A1 US20090110763A1 US12/273,924 US27392408A US2009110763A1 US 20090110763 A1 US20090110763 A1 US 20090110763A1 US 27392408 A US27392408 A US 27392408A US 2009110763 A1 US2009110763 A1 US 2009110763A1
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- Prior art keywords
- build material
- dispenser
- flexible
- belt
- solidifiable liquid
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
- B29C64/10—Processes of additive manufacturing
- B29C64/106—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
- B29C64/124—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
- B29C64/129—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask
- B29C64/135—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
- B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
- B33Y30/00—Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
- B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
- B33Y10/00—Processes of additive manufacturing
Abstract
A solid imaging apparatus and method employing a radiation transparent build material carrier and a build material dispensing system that accurately controls the thickness of the transferred layer of solidifiable liquid build material to the radiation transparent build material carrier to achieve high resolution imaging in three-dimensional objects built using an electro-optical radiation source.
Description
- This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/416,812, filed May 3, 2006, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
- The present invention is directed to forming cross-sectional layers with an image projection system using a solidifiable build material in an apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects on a layer-by-layer basis. More particularly, it is directed to an apparatus and method for controlling the tension and tracking of an endless belt used to deliver in a desired thickness the solidifiable liquid build material used to form the three-dimensional object being built in response to exposure by UV or visible radiation.
- In recent years, many different techniques for the fast production of three-dimensional models have been developed for industrial use. These solid imaging techniques are sometimes referred to as rapid prototyping and manufacturing (“RP&M”) techniques. In general, rapid prototyping and manufacturing techniques build three-dimensional objects layer-by-layer from a working medium utilizing a sliced data set representing cross-sections of the object to be formed. Typically, an object representation is initially provided by a Computer Aided Design (CAD) system.
- Stereolithography, presently the most common RP&M technique, was the first commercially successful solid imaging technique to create three-dimensional objects from CAD data. Stereolithography may be defined as a technique for the automated fabrication of three-dimensional objects from a fluid-like material utilizing selective exposure of layers of the material at a working surface to solidify and adhere successive layers of the object (i.e. laminae). In stereolithography, data representing the three-dimensional object is input as, or converted into, two-dimensional layer data representing cross-sections of the object. Layers of material are successively formed and selectively transformed or solidified (i.e. cured) most often using a computer controlled laser beam of ultraviolet (UV) radiation into successive laminae according to the two-dimensional layer data. During transformation, the successive laminae are bonded to previously formed laminae to allow integral formation of the three-dimensional object. This is an additive process. More recent designs have employed the use of visible light to initiate the polymerization reaction to cure the photopolymer build material that is commonly referred to as resin.
- Stereolithography represents an unprecedented way to quickly make complex or simple parts without tooling. Since this technology depends on using a computer to generate its cross-sectional patterns, there is a natural data link to CAD/CAM. Such systems have encountered and had to overcome difficulties relating to shrinkage, curl and other distortions, as well as resolution, accuracy, and difficulties in producing certain object shapes. While stereolithography has shown itself to be an effective technique for forming three-dimensional objects, other solid imaging technologies have been developed over time to address the difficulties inherent in stereolithography and to provide other RP&M advantages.
- These alternate technologies, along with stereolithography, have collectively been referred to as solid freeform fabrication or solid imaging techniques. They include laminated object manufacturing (LOM), laser sintering, fused deposition modeling (FDM), and various ink jet based systems to deliver either a liquid binder to a powder material or a build material that solidifies by temperature change or photocuring. Most recently a technology using digital light processing technology has employed visible light to initiate the photopolymerization reaction to cure a photopolymer build material, commonly referred to as a resin. Each of these additive technologies have brought various improvements in one or more of accuracy, building speed, material properties, reduced cost, and appearance of the build object.
- All of the solid imaging or freeform fabrication techniques, to be successful, must form objects that are near full density or free of unintended voids or air pockets. Voids caused by air pockets create discontinuities and weaknesses in the objects being built, as well as not accurately reproducing the three-dimensional aspect of the object being created from the CAD representation. This problem is especially acute in technologies employing solidifiable liquid resin that is placed down layer-by-layer employing an intermediate transfer process. The use of an intermediate transfer surface from which the solidifable liquid resin is transferred to a support platform or an underlying layer of material reduces the amount of excess resin that must be removed from completed parts and eliminates the need to build in a vat or large container of resin. This does eliminate the cost of additional resin beyond what is necessary to build the then needed parts. However, it increases the need for reliable and consistent layer thickness in the transferred liquid resin and tracking and tension of the endless belt used as the transfer surface as cross-sections of material are formed.
- Additionally, none of the prior solid freeform fabrication approaches, while making substantial improvements, have yet to achieve a truly low cost system that produces highly accurate and visually appealing three-dimensional objects in a short build time.
- These problems are solved in the design of the present invention by employing a material transfer technique and apparatus in a low cost solid imaging technique in combination with the use of digital imaging projection or laser scanning in a manner that creates a three-dimensional object that accurately reflects the CAD representation while consistently applying uniform thicknesses of the solidifiable liquid resin used to form the three-dimensional object.
- It is an aspect of the present invention that a solid imaging apparatus is provided that utilizes a radiation transparent build material carrier and build material dispensing system that accurately controls the thickness of the transferred layer of solidifiable liquid build material to achieve high resolution imaging in three-dimensional objects built using UV radiation or visible light and a photopolymer build material.
- It is a feature of the present invention that a radiation transparent endless belt and belt tensioning system are employed to control the thickness of the layer of solidifiable liquid build material applied to the belt and transferred to a receiving substrate layer by layer to create a three-dimensional part.
- It is another feature of the present invention that the solidifiable liquid build material is dispensed from a channel in a dispensing cartridge to the endless belt by means of a fluid wedge.
- It is yet another feature of the present invention that a belt tracking and alignment system is used to keep the endless belt centered as it traverses its rotational path.
- It is still another feature of the present invention that the tension on the endless belt controls the thickness of the layer of solidifiable build material applied to the endless belt, the greater the tension the thinner the layer.
- It is a further feature of the present invention that optical sensors sense the presence of the endless belt at the edges of the belt and signal for correction to the belt tracking when no sensing is found at an edge.
- It is an advantage of the present invention that a low cost solid imaging device is obtained that provides accurate and repeatable layers of build material during the building of three-dimensional objects.
- It is another advantage of the present invention that the belt tensioning material dispensing design is simple and effective in producing three-dimensional objects built layer-by-layer.
- These and other aspects, features, and advantages are obtained by the present invention through the use of a solid imaging apparatus and method that employ an endless belt as a radiation transparent build material carrier and a belt tensioning system to control a fluid wedge formed at the dispenser to control the thickness of the layer of solidifiable liquid build material applied to the belt and transferred to a receiving substrate.
- These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:
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FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a flexible transport solid imaging system utilizing a radiation transparent endless flexible belt as the build material transfer means and a tracking and tensioning apparatus: -
FIG. 2 is a partially exploded front perspective view of a flexible transport solid imaging system showing the radiation transparent endless flexible belt and the tracking and tensioning apparatus; -
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a flexible transport solid imaging system showing the radiation transparent endless flexible belt, light projector and build material feed cartridge; -
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a flexible transport solid imaging system; -
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a flexible transport solid imaging system and one stepper motor used to raise and lower the support platform to which solidifiable liquid build material is transferred from the radiation transparent endless flexible belt to form a three-dimensional object on the support platform; -
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of a top plan view of the endless flexible belt tracking and sensing system; -
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a portion of the endless flexible belt tracking system that controls the tracking of the belt as it traverses its path about the flexible transport solid imaging system; and -
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a dispensing slit or channel in the build material cartridge dispenser across which the endless belt travels vertically downwardly. - Flexible transport solid imaging of the type disclosed herein involves employing an appropriate electro-optical radiation source in the layer-by-layer build-up of articles from a radiation curable liquid photopolymer material that is delivered by the flexible transport endless belt or reciprocatable sheet of film. The radiation source can employ any wavelength of radiation conducive to reflection from the electromagnetic spectrum, such as light valve technology with electron or particle beams, but preferably employs visible or UV radiation. Liquid photopolymer material is applied to the endless flexible belt or reciprocatable sheet of film from a cartridge employing an appropriate coating device, such as a gravure wheel or fluid wedge, that transfers the photopolymer build material to the flexible transport device to provide fresh material to create new layers as the three-dimensional object is built. The photopolymer build material is transferred via transfer means to a receiving substrate without entrapping air bubbles in the transferred layers. The photopolymer build material is preferably imaged by radiation projected from either a digital UV projector or a digital visible light projector and solidified layer-by-layer. The projector includes a spatial light modulator, such as a digital micro-mirror device (“DMD”) that selectively illuminates pixels for imaging. Visible light projection is a preferred approach.
- Solid imaged parts are preferably built on an elevator platform that moves the build object or part up into contact with the liquid photopolymer build material and, after exposure, down and out of contact with the liquid photopolymer build material as successive layers or laminae are formed during the building process. The build object can be built on structures known as supports rather than directly on the elevator platform. Supports are used for more complex three-dimensional objects being built that have unsupported or partially unsupported surfaces.
- Commercially available digital light projectors, optionally modified to have a shorter focal length, may be employed, such as those available from InFocus Corporation of Wilsonville, Oreg. and BenQ America Corp. of Irvine, Calif.
- In one application of the present invention, the photopolymer build material is delivered to the imaging area via a radiation transparent flexible build material carrier film, such as polypropylene or polycarbonate. The photopolymer build material is applied in a thin layer to the flexible build material carrier or transport film in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1 . - As seen in
FIG. 1 , a flexible transport imaging system with covers removed is indicated generally by the numeral 10. Flexibletransport imaging system 10 has a radiation transparent build material carrier in the form of anendless belt 11 that is positioned about adrive rollers idler rollers cartridge assembly 12 and theidler rollers Belt 11 is driven in the direction indicated byarrow 21 byelectrical drive motors rollers drive rollers drive rollers idler rollers endless belt 11.Idler rollers FIG. 3 , are rotatably mounted betweenvertical frame members - A digital light projector is the
radiation source 44, seeFIG. 3 , that projects an image with selected pixels for illumination onto amirror system 41 below the upper run ofendless belt 11 in the exposure of a cross-section of a three-dimensional object being formed on asupport platform 53, best seen inFIG. 4 . As illustrated in the embodiment seen inFIG. 5 , thesupport platform 53 is raised and lowered by astepper motor 58. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4 a pair ofstepper motors 58 is employed that ride up a threadedlead screw 59 andguide rails 60 on opposing sides of theimaging system 10. The guide rails 60 are held in place by guiderail anchor plates platform assembly bar 54 is fastened to eachstepper motor 58. - As best seen in
FIGS. 1-4 , supportplatform assembly bar 54 extends throughslots frame end plates platform assembly bar 54 to move with thestepper motors 58 to raise and lower thesupport platform 53. This brings the already formed cross-sectional layers into contact with the layer of resin or solidifiableliquid build material 47 that is deposited onendless belt 11 from the resin or solidifiable liquidmedium cartridge dispenser 13 that is a part of build materialfeed cartridge assembly 12.Cartridge dispenser 13 includes a resin reservoir of solidifiable liquid medium and a dispensing slit orchannel 45, see brieflyFIG. 8 , through which the solidifiable liquid build material is applied tobelt 11. -
FIGS. 1 and 2 show the drive roller carriage, indicated generally by the numeral 27.Drive rollers vertical frame members motors vertical frame member 18 and are drivingly connected to driverollers vertical frame member 25 is attached to the end of the drive motors. Belt trackingmotor 26 controls the tracking ofbelt 11 asbelt 11 rotates aboutrollers drive motors Motor shaft 28, best seen inFIG. 2 , extends throughframe member 25 frommotor 26. A belttracking control arm 29 is attached to the end ofshaft 28. A tracking controlarm frame member 30 connectsframe members pivot attachment 31, see brieflyFIGS. 4 and 6 , that is used to mount thedrive roller carriage 27. Left edge belt trackingoptical sensor 33 and right edge belt trackingoptical sensor 37 are mounted to framemember 30 as seen inFIGS. 1 and 2 . -
FIG. 6 is diagrammatical illustration of a top plan view of thedrive roller carriage 27. Driveroller 14,idler roller 19 and endless belt 11 (in phantom lines) are shown, along withvertical frame members arm 36 is attached betweenpivot attachment 31 on the drive roller carriage and thepivot 39 on theframe end plate 35. The pivot point onpivot attachment 31 is offset a small distance from the center ofattachment 31. Anair cylinder 32 mounts throughend plate 35 so thatcylinder plunger 34 contacts the back ofpivot attachment 31 on the back of tracking controlarm frame member 30 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 . Whenair cylinder 32 ofFIG. 6 is pressurized, theplunger 34 exerts a force on the drive roller carriage viapivot attachment 31. The entire drive roller carriage moves aboutpivot 39 which movement extends the distance betweendrive rollers idler rollers endless belt 11 when theplunger 34 is extended or shortening the distance, thereby reducing tension, when it is retracted. A desired tension can thus be maintained on theendless belt 11. - The tension in the
belt 11 controls the thickness of the solidifiableliquid build material 47 applied to theendless belt 11 as thebelt 11 travels vertically downwardly across the dispensing slit orchannel 45 in buildmaterial cartridge dispenser 13, as seen inFIG. 8 . The dispensing slit orchannel 45 supplies build material from the reservoir (not shown) withincartridge dispenser 13 to thesurface 51 of thebelt 11. Thecartridge dispenser 13 has a flat section above and below thechannel 45, indicated by thenumerals arcuate section 49 with large radius at the bottom to provide clearance for thebuild material 47 on thecoated surface 51 ofbelt 11 as the belt is driven in its path aboutrollers section 49 can be at an acute angle or a right angle to provide the required clearance. Asbelt 11 moves pastchannel 45, a fluid wedge develops at thebottom edge 50 of thechannel 45 that applies an even coating onto thebelt 11 via the fluid wedge effect so that the greater the tension, the thinner is the coating. Thecartridge dispenser 13 can have a reservoir ofliquid build material 47 integral with it or remotely from it. If positioned remotely fromdispenser 13, the reservoir is in fluid flow communication with thedispenser 13 so that the reservoir can be replaced separately from thecartridge dispenser 13. - The coating thickness is monitored by an appropriate sensor, such as a pattern recognition device. If the coating thickness is too thick, the
cylinder plunger 34 will slowly be extended so as to increase thebelt 11 tension and decrease the fluid wedge, thereby making the coating thinner until the correct thickness coating is obtained. Alternately, if the coating is too thin, theplunger 34 will be retracted, decreasing thebelt 11 tension and thereby increasing the fluid wedge making the coating thicker until the desired thickness is obtained. Coating thickness can be controlled to 0.002 inches for faster imaging or to 0.001 inches for slower imaging. Theair cylinder 32 can exert between 10 to 20 pounds per square inch against thebelt 11 to ensure the belt is taut aboutrollers belt 11, such as a solenoid valve, spring or other appropriate mechanical system. The fluid wedge can be effectively created whether there is anangled bottom edge 50 or a straight or rounded bottom surface to thechannel 45. The effectiveness of the fluid wedge is a function of a number of factors including the viscosity of the solidifiableliquid build material 47, the surface tension between thebuild material 47 and thebelt 11, the pressure head ofliquid build material 47 in thecartridge dispenser 13, the height of the opening of the dispensingchannel 45, the length of theflat sections belt 11 as it traverses aboutrollers past channel 50. - Looking now at
FIGS. 6 and 7 ,belt tracking motor 26 exerts a rotational force on trackingcontrol arm 29. Thecontrol arm 29 is attached to mountingarm 36 via any linkage suitable to pivot thedrive roller carriage 27, such asmagnetic ball 38.Ball 38 rests in a slot in thecontrol arm 29 and a countersink in mountingarm 36. Ifmotor 22 exerts a clockwise rotational force, thecontrol arm 29 pushes themagnetic ball 38 into the mountingarm 36, forcing thedrive roller carriage 27 away from the mountingarm 36. Conversely, if themotor 22 exerts a counterclockwise rotational force, thecontrol arm 29 moves away from the mountingarm 36 and the magnetic force pulls the carriage toward the mountingarm 36. This rotates the drive roller carriage aboutpivot point 31 ofFIG. 6 . Thus, thedrive rollers belt 11. As seen inFIGS. 1 and 2 , if thedrive roller carriage 27 rotates clockwise, thebelt 11 steers to the left, and with a counter clockwise rotation, it steers to the right. Looking again atFIG. 2 , trackingsensors belt 11 just extends over the edges of thesensors Sensors belt 11. In operation, as thebelt 11 is being driven it will translate laterally until it uncovers one of thesensors motor 22 will then be reversed and thebelt 11 will translate until the other sensor is uncovered, and the process will reverse again. In this manner, thebelt 11 is constantly moving laterally back and forth across a small distance. - An appropriate sub-pixel image displacement device, not shown, is placed between the
radiation light source 44 and the target area on thebelt 11 that is coated with the solidifiableliquid build material 47. The exposure of the image cross-section by illuminating selected pixels creates a solidified portion of the cross-section of the three-dimensional object being formed. The sub-pixel image displacement device alternatively can be a mirror with the pixel shifting device being located outside of the runs of theendless belt 11 or it could combine both a mirror and pixel shifting device in a single element. - Any suitable fluid build material capable of solidification in response to the application of an appropriate form of energy stimulation may be employed in the practice of the present invention. Many liquid state chemicals are known which can be induced to change to solid state polymer plastic by irradiation with UV radiation or visible light. A suitable visible light curable photopolymer that may be employed in the practice of the present invention is shown in Table I below. This formulation exhibited excellent resolution and photospeed when utilized with a BenQ PB7220 projector. The parts created displayed outstanding green strength with balanced stiffness and toughness.
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TABLE-1 Units of Weight Weight Percent Acrylate-24 (from Sartomer Company) % PRO 6817 (from Sartomer Company) 4.8 23.02 SR 833S (from Sartomer Company) 3.5 16.79 Ebecryl 83 (from UCB Chemicals 2.4 11.51 Corp.) PRO 6169 (from Sartomer Company) 5.2 24.94 SR 531 (from Sartomer Company) 3.6 17.27 Irgacure I-907 (From Ciba Specialty 0.75 3.60 Chemicals, Inc.) Irgacure I-819 (From Ciba Specialty 0.6 2.88 Chemicals, Inc.) Total 20.85 100.00
Additives can be incorporated into the formulation to promote release ability from the transparent transport means, such as silicone acrylate materials. - In operation, data to build a three-dimensional object is sent to the flexible transport solid imaging system from a CAD station (not shown) that converts the CAD data to a suitable digital layer data format and feeds it to a computer control system (also not shown) where the object data is manipulated to optimize the data via an algorithm to provide on/off instructions for the digital light projector. The solid imaging layer data is attained by the CAD data being processed by a slicing program to create cross-sectional data. An algorithm is then applied to the cross-sectional data by a suitable controller, such as a microprocessor or computer, to create the instructions for the digital light projector to illuminate selected pixels in the image within the boundary of the three-dimensional object in the cross-section being formed. An appropriate pixel shifting image displacement device can be employed to increase the resolution and edge smoothness of the cross-sections produced.
- Upon completion of the imaging of a layer, the
platform 53 is lowered. Since the cured image is now stuck to both thebelt 11 andplatform 53, thebelt 11 is pulled downward with theplatform 53 into a bow shape until the part layer peels from thebelt 11. Thebelt 11 then returns back into its straightened form. The radiationtransparent belt 11 carrying thebuild material 47 peels away from the exposed and solidified layer of build material forming the cross-section of the three-dimensional part being formed with no horizontal motion therebetween. The flexibility of the radiationtransparent belt 11 enables the separation to occur in a peeling type of action because the separation force is proportional to the width of the exposed area of thebuild material 47 as opposed to the total area of the exposed build material, as occurs in the case of an inflexible planar surface. - The substrate on which the part is built on the
build support platform 53 is chosen so that the part's bond to it is stronger than its bond to thebelt 11. The substrate material should be pervious, flexible, and easily attachable to thebuild support platform 53. It can be a fine sandpaper or similar material to give grip, but more preferably is a porous material, such as ground silicone, that allows any wet, uncured material to flow away from the part to keep the part as dry as possible. - As the part grows, each new layer bonds to the cured build material of the layer below it. Once the platform is in its lowest position, the belt is driven in direction of
travel 21 to re-coat thebelt 11 with thebuild material 47. Thebelt 11 will be driven approximately 12″ to 18″ to establish a consistent layer thickness of the build material. Theplatform 53 is then raised into position. Since there is now a 0.001″ thick slice of the part on theplatform 53, theplatform 53 is raised into a position 0.001″ lower than the previous one so that it is now the top of the part that is in intimate contact with the coating ofbuild material 47 on thesurface 51 of thebelt 11. In practice, this positioning is controlled by thestepper motors 58 that raise and lower theplatform 53 in a manner that is very accurate in its movement and repeatable. If, for example,motors 58 move the platform down 0.500″ after each exposure, but move up only 0.499″, they will always compensate for the 0.001″ buildup per cycle. Now that thebelt 11 has been re-coated and theplatform 53 is in position, the next slice of the part is projected, and the process continues until the part is complete. - While the invention has been described above with references to specific embodiments thereof, it is apparent that many changes, modifications and variations in the materials, arrangements of parts and steps can be made without departing from the inventive concept disclosed herein. For example, where a laser, laser scanning mirrors and other related apparatus are employed in lieu of digital image projection equipment, there is no sub-pixel image placement device employed. Where supports are used in the build process, either two separate materials or one material that is the same for the build object and the supports are employed.
- Accordingly, the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims are intended to embrace all such changes, modifications and variations that may occur to one of skill in the art upon a reading of the disclosure. All patent applications, patents and other publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Claims (21)
1-11. (canceled)
12. A solid imaging system that layer-by-layer forms a three-dimensional object with a solidifiable liquid build material the system comprising:
a solidifiable liquid build material dispenser;
a flexible build material carrier having a first side and an opposing second sides the first side receiving liquid build material from the build material dispenser; and
a radiation source to selectively solidify the liquid build material on the first side of the flexible build material carrier;
wherein the flexible build material carrier comprises a reciprocating sheet of film.
13. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the flexible build material carrier comprises an endless flexible build material carrier.
14. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the dispenser comprises a cartridge dispenser.
15. A system according to claim 14 , wherein the cartridge dispenser comprises a reservoir of solidifiable liquid build material within the cartridge dispensers.
16. A system according to claim 14 , wherein the cartridge dispenser comprises a reservoir of solidifiable liquid build material remote from the cartridge dispenser
17. A system according to claim 16 , wherein the reservoir of solidifiable liquid build material is in fluid communication with the cartridge dispenser so that the reservoir can be replaced separately from the cartridge dispenser.
18. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the flexible build material carrier comprises a radiation transparent carriers.
19. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the radiation source comprises a digital light projector.
20. A system according to claim 12 , wherein the solidifiable liquid build material comprises a photopolymer that is curable when exposed to at least one of UV radiation and visible light.
21. A system according to claim 12 further comprising a gravure wheel that applies the solidifiable liquid build material to the first side of the flexible build material carrier.
22. A solid imaging system that layer-by-layer forms a three-dimensional object with a solidifiable liquid build material, the system comprising:
a solidifiable liquid build material dispenser;
a flexible build material carrier having a first side and an opposing second side, the first side receiving liquid build material from the build material dispenser;
a radiation source to selectively solidify the liquid build material oil the first side of the flexible build material carrier; and
a gravure wheel that applies the solidifiable liquid build material to the first side of the flexible build material carrier.
23. A system according to claim 22 , wherein the flexible build material carrier comprises an endless flexible build material carrier.
24. A system according to claim 22 , wherein the dispenser comprises a cartridge dispenser.
25. A system according to claim 24 , wherein the cartridge dispenser comprises a reservoir of solidifiable liquid build material within the cartridge dispenser.
26. A system according to claim 24 , wherein the cartridge dispenser comprises a reservoir of solidifiable liquid build material remote from the cartridge dispenser
27. A system according to claim 26 , wherein the reservoir of solidifiable liquid build material is in fluid communication with the cartridge dispenser so that the reservoir can be replaced separately from the cartridge dispenser.
28. A system according to claim 24 , wherein the gravure wheel is defined within the cartridge dispenser.
29. A system according to claim 22 , wherein the flexible build material carrier comprises a radiation transparent carrier.
30. A system according to claim 22 , wherein the radiation source comprises a digital light projector.
31. A system according to claim 22 , wherein the solidifiable liquid build material comprises a photopolymer that is curable when exposed to at least one of UV radiation and visible light.
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US12/273,924 US20090110763A1 (en) | 2006-05-03 | 2008-11-19 | Material Delivery Tension and Tracking System for Use in Solid Imaging |
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US11/416,812 US7467939B2 (en) | 2006-05-03 | 2006-05-03 | Material delivery tension and tracking system for use in solid imaging |
US12/273,924 US20090110763A1 (en) | 2006-05-03 | 2008-11-19 | Material Delivery Tension and Tracking System for Use in Solid Imaging |
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US11/416,812 Continuation US7467939B2 (en) | 2006-05-03 | 2006-05-03 | Material delivery tension and tracking system for use in solid imaging |
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US12/273,924 Abandoned US20090110763A1 (en) | 2006-05-03 | 2008-11-19 | Material Delivery Tension and Tracking System for Use in Solid Imaging |
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Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20080171284A1 (en) * | 2007-01-17 | 2008-07-17 | Hull Charles W | Method for Removing Excess Uncured Build Material in Solid Imaging |
CN103802322A (en) * | 2014-03-07 | 2014-05-21 | 济南大学 | Frequency-division multiplexing (FDM)-based three-dimensional (3D) printer |
CN103878977A (en) * | 2014-03-07 | 2014-06-25 | 济南大学 | FDM (frequency-division multiplexing) 3D (three dimensional) printer |
US9034236B2 (en) | 2009-12-17 | 2015-05-19 | Dsm Ip Assets B.V. | Substrate-based additive fabrication process |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP1852243A3 (en) | 2010-06-09 |
US7467939B2 (en) | 2008-12-23 |
EP1852243A2 (en) | 2007-11-07 |
JP4787204B2 (en) | 2011-10-05 |
CN101067720B (en) | 2012-11-07 |
US20070259066A1 (en) | 2007-11-08 |
EP1852243B1 (en) | 2011-10-19 |
JP2007296853A (en) | 2007-11-15 |
CN101067720A (en) | 2007-11-07 |
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