3d Systems, Inc.

Borzo Modrek

Stuart T Spence

Thomas A Almquist

Charles W Lewis

Mark Anthony Lewis

Paul F Jacobs

Dennis R Smalley

Adam L Cohen

Charles W Hull

Hop D Nguyen

Abraham Liran

Brent Parker

Harry L Tarnoff

Richard A Harlow

Thomas J Vorgitch

Wayne A Vinson

David J Albert

Tom J Vorgitch

David Z Remba

Phil Stinebaugh

Thomas P Chen

Raymond S Freed

Frank F Little

Paul H Marygold

Robert T Pitlak

Yehoram Uziel

Wolfgang Schwarzinger

Wayne B Vinson

Grady O Floyd

Raymond A Bradford

Andrzej R Serkuczewski

Improved apparatus and methods for forming a layer of material over a surface of a previously-formed cross-section of a three-dimensional object in anticipation of forming a next cross-section of the object out of the layer. A volume of material, including at least some excess material, is placed over the surface, and the excess material is swept off by placing the excess material in the predetermined path of a sweeping member, the path being substantially in a plane spaced from a working surface of material. The member may be directed to sweep the excess material away through a successive number of sweeps, which may vary for each cross-section, at least a velocity which may vary for each sweep. Additionally, the clearance between the member and the surface of the previous cross-section may vary for each sweep. A 'winged' member is also provided, comprising two legs extending from a base, and a 'Trident' embodiment is also provided, comprising three legs extending from a base.

Recoating stereolithographic layers

Recoating of stereolithographic layers

Apparatus and method for stereolithographically forming a three-dimensional object includes a vessel for holding a building material and a smoothing member for forming a uniform coating over a previously formed layer of the object. The smoothing member has a plurality of blades. The smoothing member is swept over a previously formed layer of the object, in at least two directions. Different clearances between the lower surface of the smoothing member and the upper surface of the previously formed layer are used to provide a uniform coating for a subsequent layer over the previously formed layer. The sweeping velocity of the smoothing member can be varied. Retractable needles are attached to the smoothing member for adjusting a blade gap between a lower surface of the smoothing member and the surface of the building material.

Method of and apparatus for measuring and controlling fluid level in

A stereolithography system employing a more powerful laser and faster dynamic mirrors to speed up part building without sacrificing accuracy is described, especially large or complex parts. A controllable shutter is placed in the beam path of the laser to selectably block the passage of the beam and prevent unwanted solidification. A suitable servo controlled feedback loop is provided to accurately position the mirrors at the higher velocity. Also described is a means to reduce data flow by distributing tasks in a multiple processor environment, and to improve user interaction by the use of a spreadsheet model. These also improve the speed of part building, especially for large or complex parts.

Rapid and accurate production of stereolighographic parts

Apparatus and methods for stereolithographically forming a three-dimensional object includes a vessel for holding a building material and a smoothing member for forming a uniform coating over a previously formed layer of the object. The smoothing member has a plurality of blades. The smoothing member is swept over a previously formed layer of the object, in at least two directions. Different clearances between the lower surface of the smoothing member and the upper surface of the previously formed layer are used to provide a uniform coating for a subsequent layer over the previously formed layer. The sweeping velocity of the smoothing member can be varied. Retractable needles are attached to the smoothing member for adjusting a blade gap between the lower surface of the smoothing member and the surface of the building material.

Method of and apparatus for making a three-dimensional product by

An improved stereolithography system and method for curing a stereolithography-produced part, including at least some material that is no more than partially transformed, by exposing the part to off-peak absorptive wavelengths of synergistic stimulation to achieve a more uniform cure.

Methods for curing partially polymerized parts

An improved stereolithography system for generating a three-dimensional object by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed at a selected surface of a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state in response to appropriate synergistic stimulation by impinging radiation, particle bombardment or chemical reaction, information defining the object being specially processed to reduce curl and distortion, and increase resolution, strength, accuracy, speed and economy of reproduction even for rather difficult object shapes, the successive adjacent laminae, representing corresponding successive adjacent cross-sections of the object, being automatically formed and integrated together to provide a step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object, whereby a three-dimensional object is formed and drawn from a substantially planar surface of the fluid medium during the forming process.

Method and apparatus for production of three-dimensional objects by

An improved stereolithography system and method for curing a stereolithographically-produced part, including at least some material that is no more than partially transformed, by exposing the part to off-peak-absorptive wavelengths of synergistic stimulation to achieve a more uniform cure.

Methods of curing partially polymerized parts

An improved sterolithography system for generating a three-dimensional object by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed at a selected surface of a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state in response to appropriate synergistic stimulation by impinging radiation, particle bonbardment or chemical reaction, information defining the object being specially processed to reduce curl and distortion, and increase resolution, strength, accuracy, speed and economy of reproduction even for rather difficult object shapes, the successive adjacent laminae, representing corresponding successive adjacent cross-sections of the object, being automatically formed and integrated together to provide a step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object, whereby a three-dimensional object is formed and drawn from a substantially planar surface of the fluid medium during the forming process, and further including post processing wheren the object is subjected to additional UV curing while the object is under water.

Methods and apparatus for production of three-dimensional objects by

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Montebello, CA, United States of America

Borzo Modrek