Process of and apparatus for making three dimensional objects

Abstract

A process and device for fabricating a three-dimensional object from a light curable liquid resin by irradiating a light to a surface of the liquid resin to form successive cross-sectional layers of the cured resin superimposed on each other. An open top enclosure surrounds the entire circumference of the preceding cured layer and a top upper end face of the enclosure is kept at the same horizontal level as that of the preceding cured layer. The liquid resin is supplied over the preceding layer, over the enclosure and into a space defined therebetween in such a manner as to positively overflow a portion of the liquid resin outwardly over the top end of the enclosure, thereby leaving a continuous coat of the liquid resin extending horizontally over from the preceding cured layer and to the enclosure. The continuous liquid resin coat may have a droop only at an outer perimeter of the enclosure such that it can have an equal thickness and flat surface area extending from the top surface of the preceding cured layer to at least the inner periphery of the top face of the enclosure. Thus, an additional cured layer of uniform thickness can be readily formed and superimposed on the preceding layer. The enclosure may be formed by the light irradiation toward the liquid resin so as to self-grow incrementally each time an additional cross-sectional layer is formed.