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:
Aug. 24, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 30, 2001
Jon Jody Fong, Calabasas, CA (US);
3D Systems, Inc., Valencia, CA (US);
Abstract
A selective deposition modeling apparatus utilizing a planarizer to dimensionally normalize the layers of a three-dimensional object as it is being built. The apparatus includes a means for measuring the power used to dimensionally normalize the layers which is indicative of the amount of excess build material that has been dispensed. The apparatus then utilizes the measurement to alter the excess amount of build material of a next dispensed layer so as to optimize the build rate and reduce the production of waste material. In one embodiment the planarizer is rotated at a constant angular velocity by a motor and the current supplied to the motor is monitored, and a print head supplied with a firing voltage is used to dispense the build material. The voltage supplied to the print head is adjusted to optimize the build rate of the apparatus.