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Apparatus for forming a solid three-dimensional article from a liquid medium

  • US 5,071,337 A
  • Filed: 02/15/1990
  • Issued: 12/10/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for forming a solid three-dimensional article from a liquid medium capable of solidification when subjected to prescribed energy, which comprises:

  • container means for holding the liquid medium;

    support means in the container means for supporting the solid three-dimensional article being formed;

    means for forming a first cross-section of the liquid medium on the support means;

    means for solidifying a preselected cross-section of the first cross-section of the liquid medium, to form a first layer of the solid three-dimensional article;

    means for raising the level of the liquid medium in the container means surrounding the solidified first cross-section of the article so as to form a meniscus around the periphery of the first cross-section;

    horizontally reciprocating means for coating a second cross-section of the liquid medium directly onto the solidified first cross-section of the solid three-dimensional article so as to fill the meniscus with the liquid medium from above and so that the meniscus surrounding the solidified first cross-section is broken and the second cross-section of the liquid medium and the liquid medium surrounding the second cross-second flow together and form an essentially level surface;

    said solidifying means then being operative to solidify a second preselected cross-section of the liquid medium, to form a second layer of the solid three-dimensional article; and

    said liquid medium level raising means, coating means and solidifying means then being repetitively operated in sequence, as necessary, to complete the solid three-dimensional article.

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