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:
Sep. 16, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 18, 2000
Jocelyn M. Earl, Old Headington, GB;
Chris R. Manners, Moorpark, GB;
3D Systems, Inc., Valencia, CA (US);
Abstract
Rapid prototyping and manufacturing (e.g. stereolithography) methods and apparatus are disclosed that form objects with enhanced accuracy and small feature retention. Techniques for offsetting cross-sectional boundary data to at least partially accommodate for solidification width induced in a medium by a beam of radiation are provided. One technique uses repeated small offsets to yield an effective offset of a desired amount. A second technique uses displacement vectors to determine where and to what extent to offset the boundary segments. The offset amount for each vertex is determined based on a combination of the (1) the vertex angle, and (2) a predefined variable offset criteria which is different for at least two predefined ranges of angles. A third technique converts a single boundary segments into a plurality of offset boundary segments when the single boundary segment can not undergo the full desired offset without violating another offsetting rule.