Method and system for colorizing a stereolithographically generated model

• US 6,746,814 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2001
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dorsey D. Coe
• Original Assignee: Dorsey D. Coe
• Inventors: Coe, Dorsey D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hamilton, Cynthia
• Application Number:
  US09/960,257
• Publication Number:
  US 20020086247A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 264/401, 430/269, 430/292
• US Class Current: 430/269
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/135 the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
• 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 40/20 Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 50/02 for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes

Abstract

A method for providing color to a stereolithographically produced model is disclosed. This method comprises obtaining data representing the model, such that the data is readable by a stereolithographic model generating machine for solidifying layers of a liquid resin in a vat creating resin layers to create successive cross sections of the model. Each of the resin layers are exposed with energy effective for solidifying the resin. One or more portions of at least one of the resin layers are overexposed with an energy according to a coloring or shading indicated in the data. The model is heated with an effective amount of heat to induce a color or shading change in substantially only the overexposed portions of the model. The model is removed from the vat and cleaned. Next, the model can be exposed to an energy source, followed by the finishing of the model.

Claims

1. A method for providing color to a stereolithographically produced model, comprising:

obtaining data representing said model, wherein said data is readable by a stereolithographic model generating machine for solidifying layers of a liquid resin in a vat creating resin layers to create successive cross sections of said model;

exposing each of said resin layers with energy effective for solidifying said resin;

overexposing one or more portions of at least one of said resin layers according to a coloring or shading indicated in said data creating one or more overexposed portions;

heating said model with an effective amount of heat to induce a color or shading change in substantially only said one or more overexposed portions of said model;

removing said model from said vat and cleaning said model;

exposing said model to an energy source; and

finishing said model.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said energy effective for solidifying said resin is a laser.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said solidifying said resins is by means of actinic radiation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said energy source is an ultraviolet oven utilizing ultraviolet light.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said exposing said model to an energy source further hardens said model.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said overexposing said resin layers is with laser radiation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said overexposing said resin layers is with ultraviolet light.

8. A method for providing color to a stereolithographically produced model comprising:

solidifying layers of a liquid resin in a vat creating resin layers to create successive cross sections of said model;

exposing said resin layers with energy effective for solidifying said resin;

overexposing one or more portions of at least one of said resin layers according to a coloring or shading indicated in said data creating one or more overexposed portions; and

heating said model with an effective amount of heat to induce a color or shading change in substantially only said one or more overexposed portions of said model.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said energy effective for solidifying said resin is a laser.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said solidifying said resins is by means of actinic radiation.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said overexposing said resin layers is with laser radiation.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said overexposing said resin layers is with ultraviolet light.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising removing said model from said vat and cleaning said model.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising exposing said model to an energy source.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said energy source is an ultraviolet oven utilizing ultraviolet light.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said exposing said model to an energy source further hardens said model.

17. The method of claim 8, further comprising finishing said model.

18. A method for providing color to a stereolithographically produced model, comprising:

obtaining data representing said model, wherein said data is readable by a stereolithographic model generating machine for solidifying layers of a liquid resin in a vat creating resin layers to create successive cross sections of said model;

exposing each of said resin layers with energy effective for solidifying said resin;

overexposing one or more portions of at least one of said layers according to a coloring or shading indicated in said data creating one or more overexposed portions;

heating said model with an effective amount of heat to induce a color or shading change in substantially only said one or more overexposed portions of said model;

removing said model from said vat and cleaning said model; and

exposing said model to an energy source.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said energy effective for solidifying said resin is a laser.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said solidifying said resins is by means of actinic radiation.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said energy source is an ultraviolet oven utilizing ultraviolet light.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said exposing said model to an energy source further hardens said model.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein said overexposing said resin layers is with laser radiation.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein said overexposing said resin layers is with ultraviolet light.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising finishing said model.

26. A method for providing color to a stereolithographically produced model, comprising:

obtaining data representing said model, wherein said data is readable by a stereolithographic model generating machine for solidifying layers of a liquid resin in a vat creating resin layers to create successive cross sections of said model;

exposing each of said resin layers with energy effective for solidifying said resin;

overexposing one or more portions of at least one of said layers according to a coloring or shading indicated in said data creating one or more overexposed portions; and

heating said model with an effective amount of heat to induce a color or shading change in substantially only said one or more overexposed portions of said model.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said energy effective for solidifying said resin is a laser.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said solidifying said resins is by means of actinic radiation.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein said overexposing said resin layers is with laser radiation.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein said overexposing said resin layers is with ultraviolet light.

31. The method of claim 26, further comprising removing said model from said vat and cleaning said model.

32. The method of claim 26, further comprising exposing said model to an energy source.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said energy source is an ultraviolet oven utilizing ultraviolet light.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein said exposing said model to an energy source further hardens said model.

35. The method of claim 26, further comprising finishing said model.

36. A method for providing color to a stereolithographically produced model, comprising:

obtaining data representing said model, wherein said data is readable by a stereolithographic model generating machine for solidifying layers of a liquid resin in a vat creating resin layers to create successive cross sections of said model;

exposing each of said resin layers with energy effective for solidifying said resin;

overexposing one or more portions of at least one of said layers according to a coloring or shading indicated in said data creating one or more overexposed portions;

removing said model from said vat and cleaning said model; and

exposing said model to an energy source.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said energy effective for solidifying said resin is a laser.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein said solidifying said resins is by means of actinic radiation.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein said energy source is an ultraviolet oven utilizing ultraviolet light.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein said exposing said model to an energy source further hardens said model.

41. The method of claim 36, further comprising overexposing one or more portions of at least one of said layers according to a coloring or shading indicated in said data.

42. The method of claim 36, wherein said overexposing said resin layers is with laser radiation.

43. The method of claim 36, further comprising heating said model with an effective amount of heat to induce a color or shading change in substantially only said one or more overexposed portions of said model.

44. The method of claim 36, further comprising finishing said model.