Exposure method for reducing distortion in models produced through solid imaging by forming a non-continuous image of a pattern which is then imaged to form a continuous hardened image of the pattern
First Claim
1. A method for fabricating a three dimensional object from a multiplicity of cross-sectional portions of the object, the cross-sectional portions corresponding to hardened portions of contiguous layers of a photoformable composition created by the sequential imagewise exposure of the layers, each layer being exposed in accordance with a predetermined pattern representing the desired cross-sectional portion of the object, comprising:
- (1) imagewise exposing at least one layer to the predetermined pattern for said one layer using an exposure source supermodulated to produce on said one layer a noncontinuous image of said pattern having discreet, anchored, hardened image areas separated by image areas of partially hardened photoformable composition; and
(2) repeating the imagewise exposure of the one layer to the same predetermined pattern for said one layer using said exposure source modulated to produce on said one layer a continuous hardened image of said pattern.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for reducing curl in three dimensional computer generated models, created by the sequential exposure of adjacent layers of a photoformable composition, comprising exposing each layer twice, the first exposure being with an image modulated exposure further modulated to produce a series of isolated, anchored islets along the imaged areas, and the second exposure also being image modulated but without the additional modulation, so as to fuse the islets into a continuous solid image.
71 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for fabricating a three dimensional object from a multiplicity of cross-sectional portions of the object, the cross-sectional portions corresponding to hardened portions of contiguous layers of a photoformable composition created by the sequential imagewise exposure of the layers, each layer being exposed in accordance with a predetermined pattern representing the desired cross-sectional portion of the object, comprising:
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(1) imagewise exposing at least one layer to the predetermined pattern for said one layer using an exposure source supermodulated to produce on said one layer a noncontinuous image of said pattern having discreet, anchored, hardened image areas separated by image areas of partially hardened photoformable composition; and (2) repeating the imagewise exposure of the one layer to the same predetermined pattern for said one layer using said exposure source modulated to produce on said one layer a continuous hardened image of said pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification