System and method for three dimensional model printing

• US 7,225,045 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2003
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stratasys Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Objet Geometries
• Inventors: Gothait, Hanan, Napadensky, Eduardo, Zeytoun, Igal
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta; Kidest
• Application Number:
  US10/724,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20050069784A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,275 Days
• Field of Search: 700119-120, 264/401, 425/174, 425/130, 156/155
• US Class Current: 700/119
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/112 using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/40 Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 10/00 Processes of additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 70/00 Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing

Abstract

A method and a system for three-dimensional printing of a three dimensional model is provided. The method includes dispensing a first interface material from a printing head, dispensing at least a second interface material from the printing headland combining the first and second interface material in pre-determined proportions to produce layers for forming the three-dimensional model. In one embodiment, the layers forming the construction layers of the model are formed from interface material having a harder modulus of elasticity from the layers forming the release layers, thereby allowing for the forming complex three-dimensional shapes.

Claims

1. A method for printing a three-dimensional model in layers, said method comprising:

selectively and separately dispensing a first interface material and a second interface material from a printing head within a given layer, said first interface material and said second interface material being different;

each of said first interface material and said second interface material comprising photopolymer materials; and

curing said first and second interface materials using radiation.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first interface material and said second interface material includes reactive acrylates.

3. A method according to claim 1, comprising ejecting said first interface material and said second interface material in the given layer in different mix formulations to form a specified type of material.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein one of said mix formulations of said first interface material and said second interface material forms a model layer.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein one of said mix formulations of said first interface material and said second interface material forms a support layer.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein one of said mix formulations of said first interface material and said second interface material forms a release layer.

33. A method according to claim 1, wherein curing said first and second interface materials comprises using ultra-violet radiation, infra-red radiation or E-beam.

7. A system for three dimensional printing a three-dimensional model in layers, said system comprising:

a printing head for selectively and separately dispensing a first interface material and a second interface material within a given layer, said first interface material and said second interface material being different;

each of said first interface material and said second interface material comprising photopolymer material; and

a source of radiation for curing of at least one of said interface materials.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said first interface material and said second interface material includes reactive acrylates.

9. A system according to claim 7, wherein said printing head is an ink-jet printing head.

10. A system according to claim 7, wherein said second interface material is curable.

11. A system according to claim 7, wherein said first interface material and said second interface material are ejected in the given layer in different mix formulations to form different types of materials.

12. A system according to claim 7, wherein said radiation is selected from a group consisting of ultra-violet radiation, infra-red radiation and E-beam.

13. A system according to claim 11, wherein said mix formulations of said first interface material and said second interface material form model layers.

14. A system according to claim 11, wherein said mix formulations of said first interface material and said second interface material form support layers.

15. A system according to claim 11, wherein said mix formulations of said first interface material and said second interface material form release layers.

16. A method for printing a three-dimensional model in layers, said method comprising:

selectively and separately dispensing a first interface material and a second interface material within a given layer from at least one printing head, said first interface material and said second interface material being different;

wherein at least one of said first interface material and said second interface material comprises a photopolymer material including reactive acrylates.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said first interface material and said second interface material are dispensed by one or more inkjet printing heads.

18. A method according to claim 16, further comprising curing said photopolymer material using radiation.

19. A method according to claim 16, further comprising curing said first interface material and said second interface material using radiation.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein said radiation is selected from a group consisting of ultra-violet radiation, infra-red radiation and E-beam.

21. A method according to claim 19, wherein said radiation is selected from a group consisting of ultra-violet radiation, infra-red radiation and E-beam.

22. A method according to claim 16, wherein said photopolymer material forms the three-dimensional model.

23. A method according to claim 16, wherein said photopolymer material forms a model layer.

24. A method according to claim 16, wherein said photopolymer material forms at least part of a support layer.

25. A system for printing a three-dimensional model in layers, said system comprising:

at least one printing head for selectively and separately dispensing a first interface material and a second interface material within a given layer, said first interface material and said second interface material being different;

wherein at least one of said first interface material and said second interface material comprises a photopolymer material including reactive acrylate; and

a source of radiation for curing at least one of said first interface material and second interface material.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein said at least one printing head is an ink-jet printing head.

27. A system according to claim 25, wherein said first interface material and said second interface material are ejected in the given layer in different mix formulations.

28. A system according to claim 27, wherein said mix formulations form different types of material.

29. A system according to claim 27, wherein said mix formulations form a model layer.

30. A system according to claim 27, wherein said mix formulations form a support layer.

31. A system according to claim 27, wherein said mix formulations form a release layer.

32. A system according to claim 25, wherein said radiation is selected from a group consisting of ultra-violet radiation, infra-red radiation and E-beam.