Solid imaging apparatus with coating station

• US 6,340,297 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2000
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DSM Desotech Incorporated (DSM-Firmenich AG)
• Original Assignee: DSM B.V.
• Inventors: Vassiliou, Eustathios, Clausen, Christian Henning, Chapman, Brian Gregory, Mickish, Daniel James
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nam
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUK, EMMANUEL S
• Application Number:
  US09/541,025
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 264/401, 264/308, 425/174.4
• US Class Current: 425/174.4
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/12 Spreading-out the material on a substrate , e.g. on the surface of a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/135 the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0073 smooth
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 10/00 Processes of additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 70/00 Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing

Abstract

A solid imaging apparatus and method produces an integral three-dimensional object from a multiplicity of cross sectional portions of the object by selectively exposing successive layers of a liquid photoformable composition to actinic radiation. The apparatus includes a vessel for containing the composition so as to present a free surface, and a movable platform disposed within the vessel below the free surface. Part of the composition is transferred above the free surface by lowering and raising a dispenser at predetermined positions located away from the platform. A doctor blade contacts the composition transferred above the free surface, and then moves over the platform to form a substantially uniform layer of the composition.

Claims

1. A solid imaging apparatus, said apparatus including:

(i) a vessel for containing a photoformable composition with a free surface;

(ii) a movable platform disposed within said vessel; and

(iii) a sub-assembly having

(a) two doctor blades; and

(b) a movable dispenser;

wherein said movable dispenser is capable of lifting, at a position between said two doctor blades, an amount of said photoformable composition to a position above said surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a radiation source capable of curing said photoformable composition on said platform.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said movable dispenser is further capable of depositing above said platform at least a portion of said amount of said photoformable composition.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein both said doctor blades are capable of leveling at least part of said at least a portion of said amount of said photoformable composition.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dispenser comprises a downwardly facing elongated slot.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said dispenser lifts said amount of said photoformable composition through said slot.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said dispenser lifts said amount of said photoformable composition through said slot.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said dispenser deposits said at least a portion through said slot.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said dispenser deposits said at least a portion through said slot.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dispenser includes at least one of said doctor blades.

11. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said dispenser includes at least one of said doctor blades.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said dispenser includes at least one of said doctor blades.