Method and apparatus for controlling the drop volume in a selective deposition modeling environment
First Claim
1. A method of forming a three-dimensional object on a layer-by-layer basis using a selective deposition modeling process wherein selective deposition involves using at least one orifice which dispenses a droplet of flowable material that solidifies upon being dispensed, comprising the steps of:
- detecting the drop volume capability of each orifice;
forming a portion of the three-dimensional object;
determining a predetermined drop volume capability of each orifice based upon a pre-determined drop volume capability produced by a simulation of the selective deposition modeling process;
comparing the predetermined drop volume capability with the detected drop volume of each orifice; and
adjusting a drop volume capability of each orifice until substantially all orifices have a uniform drop volume capability and all dispensed droplets of the flowable material have a uniform volume.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system and apparatus for forming a three-dimensional object on a layer-by-layer basis involves forming a portion of the three-dimensional object using selective deposition modeling (SDM). SDM involves using at least one orifice, such as a jet, which dispenses a droplet of a flowable material that solidifies upon being dispensed. A drop volume capability of each orifice is adjusted until substantially all orifices have a uniform drop volume capability and all dispensed droplets of the flowable material have a uniform volume.
88 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of forming a three-dimensional object on a layer-by-layer basis using a selective deposition modeling process wherein selective deposition involves using at least one orifice which dispenses a droplet of flowable material that solidifies upon being dispensed, comprising the steps of:
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detecting the drop volume capability of each orifice;
forming a portion of the three-dimensional object;
determining a predetermined drop volume capability of each orifice based upon a pre-determined drop volume capability produced by a simulation of the selective deposition modeling process;
comparing the predetermined drop volume capability with the detected drop volume of each orifice; and
adjusting a drop volume capability of each orifice until substantially all orifices have a uniform drop volume capability and all dispensed droplets of the flowable material have a uniform volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of forming a three-dimensional object, comprising the steps of:
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forming a portion of the three-dimensional object on a layer-by-layer basis using selective deposition modeling, wherein selective deposition modeling involves using at least one orifice which dispenses a droplet of a flowable material that solidifies upon being dispensed;
creating a first region of the formed portion, the first region having a first deposition height and a first area deposition, and a second region of the formed portion, the second region having a second deposition height and a second area deposition, wherein the first area deposition is different than the second area deposition; and
adjusting a drop volume capability of each orifice until the first deposition height and the second deposition height are uniform. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
before forming the portion of the three-dimensional object, detecting the drop volume capability of each orifice;
comparing the detected drop volume capability of each orifice to the predetermined drop volume capability; and
calibrating the detected drop volume capability of each orifice based on the comparison.
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17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of adjusting further comprises adjusting a drop volume capability of each orifice until substantially all orifices have uniform drop volume capabilities within a layer.
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18. A method of forming a three-dimensional object, comprising the steps of:
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forming a portion of the three-dimensional object on a layer-by-layer basis using selective deposition modeling, wherein selective deposition modeling involves using at least one orifice which dispenses a droplet of a flowable material that solidifies upon being dispensed;
creating a first region of the formed portion using a first group of orifices, and a second region of the formed portion using a second group of orifices;
adjusting a drop volume capability of the first group of orifices and a drop volume capability of the second group of orifices until a deposition height of the first region and a deposition height of the second region are uniform; and
controlling a drop volume capability of the first group of orifices and a drop volume capability of the second group of orifices until all dispensed droplets of the flowable material have a uniform volume. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
before forming the portion of the three-dimensional object, detecting the drop volume capability of each orifice;
comparing the detected drop volume capability of each orifice to the predetermined drop volume capability; and
calibrating the detected drop volume capability of each orifice based on the comparison.
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25. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of adjusting further comprises adjusting a drop volume capability of each orifice until substantially all orifices have uniform drop volume capabilities and each dispensed droplet of a flowable material has a uniform volume within a layer.
Specification