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Method for manufacturing a three-dimensional model by variable deposition and apparatus used therein

  • US 6,505,089 B1
  • Filed: 03/14/2000
  • Issued: 01/07/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional model by depositing a material in accordance with shape data of the three-dimensional model using a variable deposition manufacturing apparatus that comprises a material feeder, an electrical melting device, a variable nozzle moved by a three-dimensional moving mechanism and a turntable adapted for rotating the three-dimensional model, the method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) designing the three-dimensional model and collecting shape data of the three-dimensional model;

    (b) slicing the three-dimensional model into several layers in height;

    (c) dividing each of the layers into several sublayers, each of said sublayers having an exterior shape so that one layer can be formed at once by depositing the sublayers using the variable nozzle;

    (d) determining whether any of the sublayers requires a support, and positioning the support and adding shape data of the support to said shape data of the three-dimensional model when a sublayer requires the support;

    (e) depositing a material in accordance with shape data in relation to a sublayer divided from one layer of the three-dimensional model by adjusting a width, thickness and slope of the material ejected from the variable nozzle;

    (f) determining whether said one layer of the three-dimensional model has been completed;

    (g) if said one layer of the three-dimensional model has not been completed as determined in step (f), repeating steps (d) through (f) for another sublayer divided from said one layer of the three-dimensional model;

    (h) if said one layer of the three-dimensional model has been completed as determined in step (f), determining whether the three-dimensional model has been completed; and

    (i) if the three-dimensional model has not been completed as determined in step (h), repeating steps (c) through (h) for another layer sliced from the three-dimensional model.

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