Method for concurrently making multiple three-dimensional objects from multiple solidifiable materials
First Claim
1. A method of making a selected number of finished three-dimensional objects on a build platform, comprising:
- placing a source of a first solidifiable object material in alignment with the build platform;
forming a number of partially-formed three-dimensional objects from the first solidifiable material, wherein the number is the selected number, each partially-formed three-dimensional object has a first end attached to the build platform and a second end spaced apart from the build platform along a build axis, each partially-formed object has a removable support section comprising the first end and a first object section comprising the second end, and each second end of each partially-formed three-dimensional object is spaced apart from the build platform by the same distance along the build axis;
placing a source of a second solidifiable material in alignment with the build platform;
solidifying the second solidifiable material into a number of second object sections, wherein the number of second object sections is the selected number, and each second object section is connected to the second end of a corresponding partially formed three-dimensional object from the number of partially formed three-dimensional objects, thereby yielding a number of supported three-dimensional objects wherein the number of supported three-dimensional objects is the selected number;
removing the support sections from each of the supported three-dimensional objects to yield the selected number of finished three-dimensional objects, wherein at least some of the first object sections of the finished three-dimensional objects have different build axis heights.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for making multiple three-dimensional objects from multiple solidifiable materials are shown and described. In accordance with the method, the objects are designed with variable removable support heights along the build axis so that each object has an interface between first and second materials that is the same height from the build platform. The technique simplifies the process of producing multiple three-dimensional objects from multiple solidifiable materials which may have different build axis heights of first and second finished object sections so that the sources of solidifiable materials need only be switched once during the building of multiple objects.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of making a selected number of finished three-dimensional objects on a build platform, comprising:
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placing a source of a first solidifiable object material in alignment with the build platform; forming a number of partially-formed three-dimensional objects from the first solidifiable material, wherein the number is the selected number, each partially-formed three-dimensional object has a first end attached to the build platform and a second end spaced apart from the build platform along a build axis, each partially-formed object has a removable support section comprising the first end and a first object section comprising the second end, and each second end of each partially-formed three-dimensional object is spaced apart from the build platform by the same distance along the build axis; placing a source of a second solidifiable material in alignment with the build platform; solidifying the second solidifiable material into a number of second object sections, wherein the number of second object sections is the selected number, and each second object section is connected to the second end of a corresponding partially formed three-dimensional object from the number of partially formed three-dimensional objects, thereby yielding a number of supported three-dimensional objects wherein the number of supported three-dimensional objects is the selected number; removing the support sections from each of the supported three-dimensional objects to yield the selected number of finished three-dimensional objects, wherein at least some of the first object sections of the finished three-dimensional objects have different build axis heights. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of concurrently making a plurality of finished three-dimensional objects from multiple solidifiable materials on a build platform, comprising:
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providing object data representative of the three-dimensional objects, wherein the object data defines a spacing between each object and the build platform and an interface between a first object section formed from a first solidifiable object material and a second object section formed from a second solidifiable object material; modifying the object data to adjust the position of each object relative to the build platform such that each object'"'"'s interface is spaced apart from the build platform by the same distance along a build axis; solidifying a first solidifiable object material to create respective support sections attached to the build platform and positioned between each object and the build platform; solidifying the first solidifiable object material to form each object'"'"'s first object section such that each object'"'"'s first object section is connected to the object'"'"'s support section; and solidifying the second solidifiable object material to form each object'"'"'s second object section, wherein at least some of the first object sections of the plurality of three-dimensional objects have different heights along the build axis. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification