The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 09, 2002
Filed:
Jul. 07, 2000
Joseph L. Calderon, Carlsbad, CA (US);
Andrew M. Hahn, Anaheim, CA (US);
Stratasys, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Abstract
A system for mounting a slab substrate in a three-dimensional modeling machine includes two parallel rails positioned on opposite sides of a modeling platform. A blade extends along each rail, each blade having an inward-facing knife edge. A slab substrate having a width which approximates the distance between the two rails and having slits in its sides is loaded in the machine by lining up the slits, respectively, with each blade and pushing the substrate towards the rear of the platform as the knife edges cut into the substrate. Preferably, the platform includes a rear stopper to stop rearward motion of the substrate. The platform preferably also includes a retaining means at its front edge that is actuated to lock the substrate into place on the platform during modeling. The substrate is removed from the platform by deactuating the retaining means, if any, grasping the substrate, and sliding the substrate towards the front of the platform.