Stereolithographic Apparatus
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved stereolithography apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects using multiple chambered resin vats and a quick disconnect mounting system to permit concurrent use of multiple photopolymer build materials and easy change over of resin vats is disclosed. The apparatus permits easy change over from multiple chambered vat use to single chamber vat use and vice versa or change over between multiple chambered vats.
108 Citations
40 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. An apparatus for forming three dimensional objects from solidifiable liquid material in response to energy applied to a working surface of the material, the apparatus comprising:
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a. a frame; b. a source of energy mounted to the frame for applying energy to the solidifiable liquid material, wherein the source of energy is controlled based upon data representative of the three-dimensional objects; c. a removable container for holding the solidifiable liquid material, wherein the removable container is removable from the frame of the apparatus; d. a platform on which the three dimensional objects are formed, the platform being movably supported and lowerable into the solidifiable liquid material within the container; and e. an elevator assembly movably connected to the frame, the elevator assembly supporting the platform in the container for raising and lowering the platform into the solidifiable liquid material, wherein the elevator assembly is disconnectable from the frame and removable with the container holding the solidifiable liquid material. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the solidifiable liquid material comprises a photopolymer resin.
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31. An apparatus for forming three dimensional objects from solidifiable liquid material layer by layer in response to energy applied to a working surface of the material, the apparatus comprising:
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a. a frame; b. a removable container having a solidifiable liquid material for forming three dimensional objects, the container being removable from the frame; and c. an elevator assembly lowerable into the container and the solidifiable liquid material and supporting a platform on which the three dimensional objects are formed, the elevator assembly being disconnectable from the frame by at least one quick release lever to permit removal and replacement of the container holding the solidifiable liquid material and of the elevator assembly without the need for cleaning the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An elevator assembly for use in a stereolithography system having a container holding solidifiable liquid material, the elevator assembly supporting a platform on which three dimensional objects are formed from the solidifiable liquid material and into which the platform and at least a portion of the elevator assembly are lowered, the elevator assembly comprising:
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a. at least one elevator leg connectable and disconnectable to the stereolithography system and extending down into the container holding the solidifiable liquid material; b. an elevator frame connected to the at least one elevator leg for receiving and supporting the platform, wherein the elevator frame, platform, and at least one elevator leg are lowerable into the solidifiable liquid material in the container; and c. a quick release mechanism connecting the at least one elevator leg to the stereolithography system so that upon release the at least one elevator leg and the elevator frame that are at least partially lowered into the solidifiable liquid material in the container are removable from the sterolithography system with the container.
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40. A method of changing over a solidifiable liquid material container in a stereolithography system comprising the steps of:
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a. lowering a first elevator assembly into solidifiable liquid material in a first container; b. disconnecting the first elevator assembly from the stereolithography system; c. removing the first container and first elevator assembly from the stereolithography system; d. placing a second container holding solidifiable liquid material with a second elevator assembly in the container in the stereolithography system; and e. connecting the second elevator assembly to the sterolithography system.
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Specification