Device and Method for Producing a Three-Dimensional Object by Means of Mask Exposure
First Claim
1. A device for producing a three-dimensional object by solidifying a solidifiable object, the device comprising:
- an imaging unit comprising a plurality of discrete imaging elements, wherein the imaging unit is controlled to expose a portion of a solidifiable material corresponding to a cross-section of the three-dimensional object in accordance with multiple bitmap masks, and each bitmap mask defines an energy input for each one of the discrete imaging elements.
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Abstract
The invention describes device and method for producing a three-dimensional object by solidifying a solidifiable material under an action of electromagnetic radiation by means of energy input via an imaging unit comprising a predetermined number of discrete imaging elements (pixels). The energy input related to a specific cross-sectional area of the three-dimensional object is controlled by exposure by means of multiple successive raster masks (bitmaps; e.g. bitmap 1 and bitmap 2 and possibly additional ones). The imaging unit is suitably controllable such that at least two masks can be generated, including a first overall mask covering the cross-sectional area (bitmap 1; with pixel-specific area elements exposing in white light) and a partial mask (bitmap 2; in which only a fraction of the area elements are exposed pixel-specifically with white light) within the overall mask. A voxel matrix may be formed. A hardness depth per voxel (volume pixel) can be specifically and precisely influenced in the solidifyable material.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A device for producing a three-dimensional object by solidifying a solidifiable object, the device comprising:
an imaging unit comprising a plurality of discrete imaging elements, wherein the imaging unit is controlled to expose a portion of a solidifiable material corresponding to a cross-section of the three-dimensional object in accordance with multiple bitmap masks, and each bitmap mask defines an energy input for each one of the discrete imaging elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for producing a three-dimensional object, comprising:
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supplying solidification energy to a portion of a solidifiable material corresponding to a cross-section of the three-dimensional object in accordance with a first bitmap mask; and supplying solidification energy to the portion of the solidifiable material corresponding to the cross-section of the three-dimensional object in accordance with a second bitmap mask. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification