Apparatus for production of three-dimensional objects by stereolithography
First Claim
1. A system for making a three-dimensional physical object comprising:
- a frame;
a build platform coupled to the frame, wherein the build platform is movable along a z-axis and has a work surface disposed thereon;
a vat mounted within the frame and situated so that the work surface of the build platform may be lowered within the vat, wherein the vat has sidewalls and a radiation permeable flat bottom, the vat configured to hold a photo-curable polymer;
a radiation source, wherein the radiation source is capable of movement along an x-axis and a y-axis, wherein the radiation source is a laser and the radiation permeable flat bottom of the vat is laser transparent, the laser having a laser housing lined with roughened cardboard soaked with high heat flat black low vapor paint for reducing light reflections surrounding a collimated beam;
at least one stepper motor for moving the radiation source, the vat, and/or the build platform;
a power source;
at least one data reader device or computer communication device; and
a microcontroller in communication with the at least one stepper motor and at least one of a data reader device or computer communication device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for making three dimensional objects. The system may have a frame, a build platform movably coupled to the frame, a vat removably secured so that the build platform may be lowered within the vat, and a movable radiation source capable of movement along an x and y-axis. The vat may have a radiation permeable flat bottom. The build platform may have a work surface disposed thereon. There may be at least one stepper motor capable of moving the radiation source, the build platform, or both the radiation source and the build platform. There may also be a power source, a data reader device and or computer communication device, and a microcontroller in communication with the at least one stepper motor and at least one of the data reader device or computer communication device.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for making a three-dimensional physical object comprising:
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a frame; a build platform coupled to the frame, wherein the build platform is movable along a z-axis and has a work surface disposed thereon; a vat mounted within the frame and situated so that the work surface of the build platform may be lowered within the vat, wherein the vat has sidewalls and a radiation permeable flat bottom, the vat configured to hold a photo-curable polymer; a radiation source, wherein the radiation source is capable of movement along an x-axis and a y-axis, wherein the radiation source is a laser and the radiation permeable flat bottom of the vat is laser transparent, the laser having a laser housing lined with roughened cardboard soaked with high heat flat black low vapor paint for reducing light reflections surrounding a collimated beam; at least one stepper motor for moving the radiation source, the vat, and/or the build platform; a power source; at least one data reader device or computer communication device; and a microcontroller in communication with the at least one stepper motor and at least one of a data reader device or computer communication device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for making three-dimensional physical objects comprising:
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providing a system for making three-dimensional physical objects having; a frame, a build platform coupled to the frame, wherein the build platform is movable along a Z axis and has a work surface disposed thereon, a vat mounted within the frame and situated so that the work surface of the build platform may be lowered within the vat, wherein the vat has sidewalls and a radiation permeable flat bottom, the vat configured to hold a photo-curable polymer, a radiation source, wherein the radiation source is capable of movement along an x-axis and a y-axis, wherein the radiation source is a laser and the radiation permeable flat bottom of the vat is laser transparent, the laser having a laser housing lined with roughened cardboard soaked with high heat flat black low vapor paint for reducing light reflections surrounding a collimated beam, at least one stepper motor for moving the radiation source, the vat, and/or the build platform, a power source, at least one data reader device or computer communication device, and a microcontroller in communication with the at least one stepper motor and at least one of a data reader device or computer communication device; filling the vat with a photo-curable polymer; providing a three dimensional drawing file to the data reader or computer; and with the system, communicating the file data to the microcontroller and subsequently controlling the stepper motors and radiation source to cure the photocurable polymer and form an object in accordance with the data file. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification