Methods and Systems for Integrating Fluid Dispensing Technology With Stereolithography
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Abstract
An integrated system and method of integrating fluid dispensing technologies (e.g., direct-write (DW)) with rapid prototyping (RP) technologies (e.g., stereolithography (SL)) without part registration comprising: an SL apparatus and a fluid dispensing apparatus further comprising a translation mechanism adapted to translate the fluid dispensing apparatus along the Z-, Y- and Z-axes. The fluid dispensing apparatus comprises: a pressurized fluid container; a valve mechanism adapted to control the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid container; and a dispensing nozzle adapted to deposit the fluid in a desired location. To aid in calibration, the integrated system includes a laser sensor and a mechanical switch. The method further comprises building a second part layer on top of the fluid deposits and optionally accommodating multi-layered circuitry by incorporating a connector trace. Thus, the present invention is capable of efficiently building single and multi-material SL fabricated parts embedded with complex three-dimensional circuitry using DW.
76 Citations
25 Claims
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1-12. -12. (canceled)
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13. A method of integrated rapid prototyping comprising:
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fabricating a first part layer using a layered manufacturing apparatus; and depositing fluid on the first part layer using a fluid dispensing apparatus without re-registration of the first part layer; fabricating a second part layer on top of the first part layer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification