Method and apparatus for three-dimensional fabrication
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional object from a polymerizable liquid, comprising:
- (a) a support;
(b) a carrier operatively associated with said support on which carrier said three-dimensional object is formed;
(c) a stationary rigid build plate connected to said support, said build plate comprising a fixed semipermeable member, said semipermeable member comprising a build surface and a feed surface separate from said build surface, with said build surface and said carrier defining a build region therebetween;
(d) a polymerization inhibitor source in fluid communication with said feed surface;
(e) a liquid polymer supply operatively associated with said build plate and configured to supply liquid polymer into said build region for solidification polymerization;
(f) a radiation source operatively associated with said build plate and configured to irradiate said build region through said build plate and form a solid polymerized region therein from said liquid polymer; and
(g) a controller operatively associated with said carrier and said light source for advancing said carrier and said build plate away from one another solely in the Z (vertical) direction during or after polymerization of liquid in said build zone.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and an apparatus for the fabrication of solid three-dimensional objects from liquid polymerizable materials.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional object from a polymerizable liquid, comprising:
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(a) a support; (b) a carrier operatively associated with said support on which carrier said three-dimensional object is formed; (c) a stationary rigid build plate connected to said support, said build plate comprising a fixed semipermeable member, said semipermeable member comprising a build surface and a feed surface separate from said build surface, with said build surface and said carrier defining a build region therebetween; (d) a polymerization inhibitor source in fluid communication with said feed surface; (e) a liquid polymer supply operatively associated with said build plate and configured to supply liquid polymer into said build region for solidification polymerization; (f) a radiation source operatively associated with said build plate and configured to irradiate said build region through said build plate and form a solid polymerized region therein from said liquid polymer; and (g) a controller operatively associated with said carrier and said light source for advancing said carrier and said build plate away from one another solely in the Z (vertical) direction during or after polymerization of liquid in said build zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification