Method and apparatus for making three-dimensional objects from multiple solidifiable materials
First Claim
1. An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by solidifying multiple solidifiable materials, comprising:
- a first solidifiable material source comprising a first container having a transparent bottom and containing the first solidifiable material;
a pattern generator selected from a digital light projector and a linear solidification device;
a second solidifiable material source comprising a second container having a transparent bottom and containing the second solidifiable material, wherein the second solidifiable material source is spaced apart from the first solidifiable material source in a first direction defining a first axis and the second solidifiable material is different from the first solidifiable material; and
a build platform movable along a second direction defining a second axis, wherein the build platform and the pattern generator are fixed relative to one another along the first axis, thereby maintaining a fixed registration between the build platform and the pattern generator along the first axis, the first and second containers are translatable along the first axis relative to the build platform such that a select one of the first and second containers is alignable with the pattern generator along the first axis at a given time, and during an object solidification operation, the pattern generator projects solidification energy through at least one of the first container transparent bottom and the second container transparent bottom.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for making three-dimensional objects from multiple solidifiable materials is shown and described. Multiple solidifiable material container assemblies are provided for holding different solidifiable materials. Relative movement between the solidifiable material container assemblies and a build platform allows the solidifiable materials to be switched as an object is built. Several exemplary cleaning stations are provided for removing residual solidifiable materials from the surface of the three-dimensional object as it is built to better ensure smooth transitions between materials on the finished object.
152 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by solidifying multiple solidifiable materials, comprising:
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a first solidifiable material source comprising a first container having a transparent bottom and containing the first solidifiable material; a pattern generator selected from a digital light projector and a linear solidification device; a second solidifiable material source comprising a second container having a transparent bottom and containing the second solidifiable material, wherein the second solidifiable material source is spaced apart from the first solidifiable material source in a first direction defining a first axis and the second solidifiable material is different from the first solidifiable material; and a build platform movable along a second direction defining a second axis, wherein the build platform and the pattern generator are fixed relative to one another along the first axis, thereby maintaining a fixed registration between the build platform and the pattern generator along the first axis, the first and second containers are translatable along the first axis relative to the build platform such that a select one of the first and second containers is alignable with the pattern generator along the first axis at a given time, and during an object solidification operation, the pattern generator projects solidification energy through at least one of the first container transparent bottom and the second container transparent bottom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification