×

Apparatus and method for making three-dimensional articles using bursts of droplets

  • US 5,555,176 A
  • Filed: 10/19/1994
  • Issued: 09/10/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An apparatus for making a three-dimensional article based upon article defining data, said apparatus comprising:

  • a platform;

    a build material dispenser positioned adjacent said platform for dispensing build material in a plurality of droplets;

    dispenser positioning means for advancing said dispenser along a predetermined path of travel with respect to said platform; and

    a processor for controlling said dispenser and said dispenser positioning means to construct the article based upon the article defining data, said processor comprising burst control means for operating said dispenser to dispense a series of bursts of build material toward a series of respective target positions to construct a continuous portion of the article as said dispenser is continuously advanced along the predetermined path of travel, each burst being defined by a plurality of successive droplets dispensed in relatively rapid succession to each other as compared to a last droplet in one burst and an initial droplet in a next succeeding burst so that the build material of the plurality of successive droplets of a burst combines at a respective target position.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×