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Stereolithographic method and apparatus with enhanced control of prescribed stimulation production and application

  • US 6,132,667 A
  • Filed: 02/08/1999
  • Issued: 10/17/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A stereolithographic method of forming a three-dimensional object from a plurality of adhered laminae by exposing successive layers of a material to a beam of prescribed stimulation, comprising;

  • (a) providing a pulsed beam of prescribed stimulation, having a pulse repetition rate, a desired beam diameter, and a desired beam power for use in exposing each vector in a given set of vectors;

    (b) providing a plurality of vector types in the set of vectors for exposing layers of material;

    (c) providing a desired maximum scan speed for at least one vector type in the set;

    (d) deriving a top scan speed based on the pulse repetition rate and beam diameter;

    (e) resetting, to the top scan speed, any desired maximum scan speed provided in (c) that exceeds the top scan speed;

    (f) using each maximum scan speed as reset in (e) or as remaining from that provided in (c) to derive a maximum laser power;

    (g) setting the desired beam power to an amount equal to or less than the smallest maximum laser power derived in (f);

    (h) forming a layer of material adjacent to any last formed layer of material in preparation for forming a subsequent lamina of the object;

    (i) exposing the layer to the beam of prescribed stimulation having the desired beam power under the control of the set of vectors; and

    (j) repeating the acts of forming and exposing a plurality of times in order to form the object from a plurality of adhered laminae.

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