System and method for three dimensional model printing

• US 20050069784A1
• Filed: 12/01/2003
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stratasys Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Objet Geometries
• Inventors: Zeytoun, Igal, Gothait, Hanan, Napadensky, Eduardo
• Granted Patent: US 7,225,045 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 430/5
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/112 using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/40 Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 10/00 Processes of additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 70/00 Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing

Abstract

A method and a system for three-dimensional printing of a three dimensional model is provided. The method includes dispensing a first interface material from a printing head, dispensing at least a second interface material from the printing headland combining the first and second interface material in pre-determined proportions to produce layers for forming the three-dimensional model. In one embodiment, the layers forming the construction layers of the model are formed from interface material having a harder modulus of elasticity from the layers forming the release layers, thereby allowing for the forming complex three-dimensional shapes.

Claims

1. A method for three-dimensional printing of a three-dimensional model, said method comprising:

selectively dispensing a first interface material and a second interface material from a printing head, said first interface material and said second interface material being different;

each of said first interface material and said second interface material comprising photopolymer materials.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein one of said first interface material and said second interface material includes reactive acrylates and is curable by the application of radiation.

3. A method according to claim 1, comprising ejecting said first interface material and said second interface material in a given layer in different mix formulations to form a specified type of material.

4. A method according to claim 1, comprising curing said first and second interface materials using radiation, said radiation being any one of a group including ultra-violet radiation, infra-red radiation and E-beam.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein one of said mix formulations of said first interface material and said second interface material forms a model layer.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein said mix formulation of said first interface material and said second interface material forms a support layer.

7. A method according to claim 3, wherein one of said mix formulations of said first interface material and said second interface material forms a release layer.

8. A system for three-dimensional printing of a three-dimensional model, said system comprising:

a printing head for selectively dispensing a first interface material and a second interface material, said first interface material and said second interface material being different;

each of said first interface material and said second interface material comprising photopolymer material; and

a source of radiation for curing of at least one of said interface materials.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein at one of said first interface material and said second interface material includes reactive acrylates.

10. A system according to claim 8, wherein said printing head is an ink-jet printing head.

11. A system according to claim 8, wherein said second interface material is curable.

12. A system according to claim 8, wherein said first interface material and said second interface material are ejected in a given layer in different mix formulations to form different types of materials.

13. A system according to claim 8, wherein said radiation is selected from a group consisting of ultra-violet radiation, infra-red radiation and E-beam.

14. A system according to claim 12, wherein said mix formulations of said first interface material and said second interface material form model layers.

15. A system according to claim 12, wherein said mix formulations of said first interface material and said second interface material form support layers.

16. A system according to claim 12, wherein said mix formulations of said first interface material and said second interface material form release layers.

17. A method for three-dimensional printing of a three-dimensional component, said method comprising:

selectively dispensing a first interface material and a second interface material from at least one printing head, said first interface material and said second interface material being different;

wherein at least one of said first interface material and said second interface material comprises a photopolymer material including reactive acrylates.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said first interface material and said second interface material are dispensed by one or more inkjet printing heads.

19. A method according to claim 17, further comprising curing said photopolymer material using radiation.

20. A method according to claim 17, further comprising curing said first interface material and said second interface material using radiation.

21. A method according to claim 19, wherein said radiation is selected from a group consisting of ultra-violet radiation, infra-red radiation and E-beam.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein said radiation is selected from a group consisting of ultra-violet radiation, infra-red radiation and E-beam.

23. A method according to claim 17, wherein said photopolymer material forms the three-dimensional component.

24. A method according to claim 17, wherein said photopolymer material forms a model layer.

25. A method according to claim 17, wherein said photopolymer material forms at least part of a support layer.

26. A system for three-dimensional printing of a three-dimensional component, said system comprising:

at least one printing head for selectively dispensing a first interface material and a second interface material, said first interface material and said second interface material being different;

wherein at least one of said first interface material and said second interface material comprises a photopolymer material including reactive acrylate; and

a source of radiation for curing at least one of said first interface material and second interface material.

27. A system according to claim 26, wherein said at least one printing head is an ink-jet printing head.

28. A system according to claim 26, wherein said first interface material and said second interface material are ejected in a given layer in different mix formulations.

29. A system according to claim 28, wherein said mix formulations form different types of material.

30. A system according to claim 28, wherein said mix formulations form a model layer.

31. A system according to claim 28, wherein said mix formulations form a support layer.

32. A system according to claim 28, wherein said mix formulations form a release layer.

33. A system according to claim 26, wherein said radiation is selected from a group consisting of ultra-violet radiation, infra-red radiation and E-beam.