Method and apparatus for making three-dimensional objects from multiple solidifiable materials
First Claim
1. A method of making a three-dimensional object from multiple solidifiable materials, the method comprising:
- aligning a build platform with a first solidifiable material source;
first moving a linear solidification device along a first axis while scanning solidification energy in a first plurality of linear scans having lengths along a second axis to solidify the first solidifiable material in a first pattern corresponding to the first plurality of linear scans;
moving the build platform away from the first solidifiable material source along a third axis;
aligning the build platform with a second solidifiable material source;
second moving a linear solidification device along one of the first axis and the second axis while scanning solidification energy in a second plurality of linear scans having lengths along the other of the first axis and the second axis to solidify the second solidifiable material in a second pattern corresponding to the second plurality of linear scans,wherein the first solidifiable material source comprises a first container with a transparent bottom, the step of first moving a linear solidification device along a first axis while scanning solidification energy in a first plurality of linear scans having lengths along a second axis further comprises projecting the solidification energy through the transparent bottom of the first container, the second solidifiable material source comprises a second container with a transparent bottom, and the step of second moving a linear solidification device along the one of the first axis and the second axis while scanning solidification energy in a second plurality of linear scans having lengths along the other of the first axis and the second axis further comprises projecting the solidification energy through the transparent bottom of the second container, and wherein during the step of first moving a linear solidification device along the first axis, the transparent bottom of the first container tilts about the second axis.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for making three-dimensional objects from multiple solidifiable materials is shown and described. Multiple solidifiable material container assemblies are provided for holding different solidifiable materials. Relative movement between the solidifiable material container assemblies and a build platform allows the solidifiable materials to be switched as an object is built. Several exemplary cleaning stations are provided for removing residual solidifiable materials from the surface of the three-dimensional object as it is built to better ensure smooth transitions between materials on the finished object.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of making a three-dimensional object from multiple solidifiable materials, the method comprising:
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aligning a build platform with a first solidifiable material source; first moving a linear solidification device along a first axis while scanning solidification energy in a first plurality of linear scans having lengths along a second axis to solidify the first solidifiable material in a first pattern corresponding to the first plurality of linear scans; moving the build platform away from the first solidifiable material source along a third axis; aligning the build platform with a second solidifiable material source; second moving a linear solidification device along one of the first axis and the second axis while scanning solidification energy in a second plurality of linear scans having lengths along the other of the first axis and the second axis to solidify the second solidifiable material in a second pattern corresponding to the second plurality of linear scans, wherein the first solidifiable material source comprises a first container with a transparent bottom, the step of first moving a linear solidification device along a first axis while scanning solidification energy in a first plurality of linear scans having lengths along a second axis further comprises projecting the solidification energy through the transparent bottom of the first container, the second solidifiable material source comprises a second container with a transparent bottom, and the step of second moving a linear solidification device along the one of the first axis and the second axis while scanning solidification energy in a second plurality of linear scans having lengths along the other of the first axis and the second axis further comprises projecting the solidification energy through the transparent bottom of the second container, and wherein during the step of first moving a linear solidification device along the first axis, the transparent bottom of the first container tilts about the second axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification