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Fast three-dimensional modeling method and device

  • US 6,764,636 B1
  • Filed: 08/31/2001
  • Issued: 07/20/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for applying a uniform layer of a viscous material in a layerwise fashion in a rapid prototyping apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

  • providing a working field for forming layers of the viscous material;

    supplying a volume of the viscous material adjacent the working field, the viscous material having a viscosity greater than about 10,000 centipoise; and

    applying at least a portion of the volume of the viscous material over the working field to form the uniform layer utilizing at least one recoater blade and at least one rotating roller, the recoater blade and roller being driven in a coating direction when applying the viscous material, the rotating roller contacting the volume of viscous material and establishing a log of viscous material circulating along a looping path about the rotating roller, the recoater blade being downstream from the roller when driven in the coating direction, the recoater blade being in communication with the log of viscous material to channel the viscous material circulating along the looping path when the recoater blade and roller are driven across the working field in the coating direction.

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