Three-dimensional model colorization during model construction from computer aided design data

• US 6,652,256 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2001
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dorsey D. Coe
• Original Assignee: Dorsey D. Coe
• Inventors: Coe, Dorsey D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): del Sole, Joseph S
• Application Number:
  US09/963,884
• Publication Number:
  US 20020096112A1
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 425/130, 425/375, 425/166, 264/113, 264/109, 264/308, 264/401, 264/241, 264/245
• US Class Current: 425/130
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/112 using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/182 in parallel batches
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/40 Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/002 Coloured
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 50/02 for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes

Abstract

A solid imaging printer for generating colorized three-dimensional models is disclosed. The solid imaging printer comprises a printerhead assembly having a plurality of compartments, at least one of the compartments receives a model building material from an attached conduit, and each of at least three of the compartments retains a differently colored model building material for applying substantially to a surface of a model generated by the solid imaging printer. The solid imaging printer also comprises a controller for directing an application of the model building material and the differently colored model building materials for generating the model by a successive layering of the model building material and the differently colored model building materials. The controller accesses model defining information and directs each of the model building material and the differently colored model building materials to be jetted from the compartments on to the model as it is being generated.

Claims

1. A solid imaging printer for generating colorized three-dimensional models, comprising:

a printerhead assembly having a plurality of compartments, at least one of said compartments receives a liquid interior model building material from an attached conduit, and each of at least three of said compartments retains a differently colored liquid model building material for applying substantially to a surface of a model generated by said solid imaging printer;

a processor configured to process three-dimensional model data in operative communication with said printerhead assembly; and

a controller for directing an application of said liquid interior model building material and said differently colored liquid model building materials for generating said model by a successive layering of said liquid interior model building material and said differently colored liquid model building materials, wherein

said controller is configured to direct each of said liquid interior model building material and said differently colored liquid model building materials to be jetted from said compartments on to a building platform in response to said three-dimensional model data;

wherein said differently colored liquid model building materials create a plurality of shell objects; and

wherein an interior of said model is said liquid interior model building material.

2. The solid imaging printer of claim 1, wherein at least three of said differently colored model building materials are three primary colors.

3. A solid imaging printer for generating a three-dimensional model, comprising:

a printerhead assembly having a plurality of compartments, at least one of said plurality of compartments configured to receive a core liquid model building material, and at least one of said plurality of compartments configured to receive at least one shell liquid model building material;

a processor configured to process three-dimensional model data in operative communication with said printerhead assembly; and

a controller configured to direct said core liquid model building material and said shell liquid model building material to generate the three-dimensional model, said three-dimensional model comprises successive layers of a core portion and an exterior shell portion adjacent said core portion,

said controller configured to direct in successive layers said core liquid model building material to said core portion in response to said three-dimensional model data,

said controller configured to direct in successive layers said shell liquid model building material to said shell portion in response to said three-dimensional model data.

4. The solid imaging printer of claim 3, wherein at least three of said shell liquid model building materials are three primary colors.