Photo-solidification modeling apparatus and photo-solidification modeling method having an improved recoating process
First Claim
1. A photo-solidification modeling apparatus including;
- light exposing means for exposing a photo-solidifying liquid to a light at a given part of a surface of the liquid;
immersing means for immersing a layer solidified by the light exposure; and
a recoater for sweeping over a solidified layer which has been immersed to coat an upper surface of the solidified layer with the unsolidified liquid, wherein;
said recoater has a lower surface disposed opposite to the upper surface of said solidified layer at a space apart therefrom, the space being a distance so as to cause suction of said unsolidified liquid into a clearance defined between the lower surface of said recoater and the upper surface of the solidified layer, the distance being greater than a depth of immersion of the solidified layer in the unsolidified liquid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A photo-solidification modeling apparatus and a photo-solidification modeling method, wherein the reliability of an operation for coating the upper surface of a solidified layer with an unsolidified liquid is improved and the time required to carry out the same operation is reduced. To meet the purpose, a clearance is formed between the lower surface of a recoater travelling on a solidified layer and the upper surface of the solidified layer. When this condition is satisfied, an unsolidified liquid is introduced onto the solidified layer by virtue of both the force of the lower surface of the recoater which drags the unsolidified liquid and the nature of the unsolidified liquid entering the clearance. When recesses are provided in the lower surface of the recoater, the liquid adsorbed to the surfaces of the recesses is also introduced onto the unsolidified layer.
41 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A photo-solidification modeling apparatus including;
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light exposing means for exposing a photo-solidifying liquid to a light at a given part of a surface of the liquid; immersing means for immersing a layer solidified by the light exposure; and a recoater for sweeping over a solidified layer which has been immersed to coat an upper surface of the solidified layer with the unsolidified liquid, wherein; said recoater has a lower surface disposed opposite to the upper surface of said solidified layer at a space apart therefrom, the space being a distance so as to cause suction of said unsolidified liquid into a clearance defined between the lower surface of said recoater and the upper surface of the solidified layer, the distance being greater than a depth of immersion of the solidified layer in the unsolidified liquid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A photo-solidification modeling method for fabricating a three-dimensional object by repeating a cycle a plurality of times, the cycle including:
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a first step of exposing a photo-solidifying liquid stored in a liquid vessel to a light at a given part of the liquid surface to form a solidified layer; a second step of immersing the solidified layer in an unsolidified liquid; and a third step of sweeping a recoater over the solidified layer so as to coat the upper surface of the solidified layer with the unsolidified liquid, the recoater having a lower surface disposed in opposition to the upper surface of said solidified layer at a space apart therefrom, the space being a distance so as to cause suction of said unsolidified liquid into a clearance defined between the lower surface and the upper surface of the solidified layer, the distance being greater than a depth of immersion of the solidified layer in the unsolidified liquid, wherein when the recoater is swept over the solidified layer, said unsolidified liquid is introduced onto the upper surface of the solidified layer owing to both of viscous resistance acting against said lower surface and the action of suction of said unsolidified liquid into said clearance. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification