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Methods and Apparatus for 3D Fabrication

  • US 20130171431A1
  • Filed: 08/29/2012
  • Published: 07/04/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of fabricating a 3D object, which 3D object comprises a plurality of substrate layers that are infiltrated by and bound together by a hardened material, the method comprising the following steps, in combination:

  • (1a) positioning powder on all or part of at least one of the layers;

    (1b) repeating step (1a) for remaining layers in the plurality of substrate layers; and

    (1c) transforming at least some of the powder into a substance that flows and subsequently hardens into the hardened material, which hardened material is disposed in a spatial pattern that infiltrates at least one positive region in a set of the substrate layers and does not infiltrate at least one negative region in the set;

    wherein the powder is transformed in step (1c) after being positioned in either step (1a) or step (1b), and wherein the substrate layers have at least one material property that is different than any material property of the hardened material.

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