Layer-additive method and apparatus for freeform fabrication of 3-d objects

Abstract

A method and apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object from porous solid preform layers and at least a pore-filling material. The method includes: (a) providing a work surface parallel to an X-Y plane of a Cartesian coordinate system; (b) feeding a first porous solid preform layer to the work surface; (c) using dispensing devices to dispense a first pore-filling material onto predetermined areas of the first preform layer to at least partially fill in the pores in these areas (hardened areas) for forming the first section of the object; (d) feeding a second porous preform layer onto the first layer, dispensing a second pore-filling material onto predetermined areas of the second layer for forming the second section (the second pore-filling material being the same as or different than the first); (e) repeating the operations from (b) to (d) to stack up and build successive preform layers along the Z-direction for forming multiple layers of the object with the remaining un-hardened areas of individual layers staying as a support structure; (f) sequentially or simultaneously affix successive layers together to form a unitary body; and (g) removing the support structure by exposing the un-hardened areas of the unitary body to a support-collapsing environment, causing the 3-D object to appear.