EP0171069A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for production of three-dimensional objects by stereolithography
Assignee: 3D Systems Inc
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Filing: 1985-08-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A system for generating three-dimensional objects by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed at a selected surface of a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state in response to appropriate synergistic stimulation by impinging radiation, particle bombardment or chemical reaction, successive adjacent laminae, representing corresponding successive adjacent cross-sections of the object, being automatically formed and integrated together to provide a step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object, whereby a three-dimensional object is formed and drawn from a substantially planar surface of the fluid medium during the forming process.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W. Hull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:15
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B25/00; G09B25/02; B; B29; B29C; B29C64/00; B29C64/10; B29C64/106; B29C64/124; B29C64/129; B29C64/135; B33; B33Y; B33Y30/00; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/0037; G03F7/70; G03F7/70416; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/0827; B29C2035/0833; B29C2035/0844; B29C35/0866; B29C2035/0877; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/49; G05B2219/49013; G05B2219/49017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of generating three-dimensional objects, said method comprising: generating individual solid laminae representing cross-sections of the three-dimensional object to be formed; and cohesively integrating successive adjacent ones of said laminae to form said three-dimensional object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of generating three-dimensional objects, said method comprising: generating individual solid laminae representing cross-sections of the three-dimensional object to be formed; and cohesively integrating successive adjacent ones of said laminae to form said three-dimensional object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said step of cohesively integrating involves forming each lamina directly upon the immediately preceding lamina.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for providing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium, said method comprising: selectively solidifying a fluid medium at a prescribed surface thereof to generate a lamina representing a cross-section of a three-dimensional object to be formed; and automatically combining successive adjacent laminae to form said three-dimensional object from said fluid medium.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for providing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium, said method comprising: selectively solidifying a fluid medium at a prescribed surface thereof to generate a lamina representing a cross-section of a three-dimensional object to be formed; and automatically combining successive adjacent laminae to form said three-dimensional object from said fluid medium.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for providing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium, said method comprising: containing a body of fluid medium capable of solidification in response to prescribed synergistic stimulation; and solidifying successive layers of said medium at a designated surface of said medium to form corresponding successive laminae defining said three-dimensional object.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for providing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium, said method comprising: containing a body of fluid medium capable of solidification in response to prescribed synergistic stimulation; and solidifying successive layers of said medium at a designated surface of said medium to form corresponding successive laminae defining said three-dimensional object.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
68 words
A system for producing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium capable of solidification when subjected to prescribed synergistic stimulation, said system comprising: means for drawing upon and forming successive cross-sections of said object at a two-dimensional interface; and means for moving said cross-sections as they are formed and building up said object in step wise fashion, whereby a three-dimensional object is extracted from a substantially two-dimensional surface.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
68 words
A system for producing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium capable of solidification when subjected to prescribed synergistic stimulation, said system comprising: means for drawing upon and forming successive cross-sections of said object at a two-dimensional interface; and means for moving said cross-sections as they are formed and building up said object in step wise fashion, whereby a three-dimensional object is extracted from a substantially two-dimensional surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
152 words
An improved system for producing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium capable of solidification when subjected to prescribed synergistic stimulation, said system comprising: a body of fluid medium capable of transforming its physical state in response to synergistic stimulation; object support means immersed within said fluid medium for supporting a three-dimensional object to be formed; translational means for selectively moving said object support means progressively away from a designated surface of said fluid medium; and reaction means capable of altering the physical state of said fluid medium and operating in a prescribed pattern upon said designated surface of said fluid medium to provide a thin solid lamina at said surface representing a corresponding cross-sectional lamina of said three-dimensional object to be formed, whereby successive adjacent laminae are provided to form said three-dimensional object on said object support means as said translational means moves said support means away from said designated surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
152 words
An improved system for producing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium capable of solidification when subjected to prescribed synergistic stimulation, said system comprising: a body of fluid medium capable of transforming its physical state in response to synergistic stimulation; object support means immersed within said fluid medium for supporting a three-dimensional object to be formed; translational means for selectively moving said object support means progressively away from a designated surface of said fluid medium; and reaction means capable of altering the physical state of said fluid medium and operating in a prescribed pattern upon said designated surface of said fluid medium to provide a thin solid lamina at said surface representing a corresponding cross-sectional lamina of said three-dimensional object to be formed, whereby successive adjacent laminae are provided to form said three-dimensional object on said object support means as said translational means moves said support means away from said designated surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, and further including: programmed control means for varying the graphic pattern of said reaction means operating upon said designated surface of said fluid medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said reaction means includes: a beam of impinging radiation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said reaction means includes: an electron beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said reaction means includes: a beam of high energy particles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said reaction means includes: a beam of light.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said reaction means includes: x-rays.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said reaction means includes: a beam of ultraviolet light.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said reaction means includes: a jet of a reactive chemical to induce solidification of said fluid medium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said reaction means includes: a patterned mask overlying said designated surface for selectively applying a chemical to induce solidification of said fluid medium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said reaction means includes: a patterned mask overlying said designated surface for selectively exposing said surface to synergistic stimulation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said reaction means includes: a patterned mask overlying said designated surface for selectively exposing said surface to radiation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said translational means moves said object as it is formed away from said designated surface and further into said fluid medium.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said translational means moves said object as it is formed away from said surface and out of said fluid medium.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein exposure to said reaction means at said designated surface is through a second non-reactive medium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, and further including: a container for said fluid medium, wherein exposure of said designated surface to said reaction means is through the bottom of said container and a second non-reactive medium adjacent said designated surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as set forth in Claim 21, wherein said second non-reactive medium is heavy water.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as set forth in Claim 21, wherein said second non-reactive medium is ethylene glycol.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, and further including: rotational means, supplementing said translational means for altering the orientation of said object relative to said designated surface at which laminae are being formed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein the level of said fluid medium locating said designated surface is variable.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein the level of said fluid medium locating said designated surface is maintained constant.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said translational means has multiple degrees of freedom of movement.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as set forth in Claim 8, wherein precise focus of said beam of impinging radiation upon said designated surface is maintained.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said prescribed pattern is formed upon said designated surface by radiation emanating from the face of a cathode ray tube.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said prescribed pattern is formed by light directly emanating from a phosphor image.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for directly producing a three-dimensional object as it is designed by a computer, comprising: deriving graphic image output from said computer, said graphic image defining successive adjacent cross-sections of the three-dimensional object designed by said computer; means for drawing upon and forming successive cross-sections, corresponding to said computer designed cross-sections of said object, at a two-dimensional interface; and means for moving said cross-sections as they are formed and building up said object in a step-wise fashion, whereby the three-dimensional object designed by said computer is automatically extracted from a substantially two-dimensional surface.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for directly producing a three-dimensional object as it is designed by a computer, comprising: deriving graphic image output from said computer, said graphic image defining successive adjacent cross-sections of the three-dimensional object designed by said computer; means for drawing upon and forming successive cross-sections, corresponding to said computer designed cross-sections of said object, at a two-dimensional interface; and means for moving said cross-sections as they are formed and building up said object in a step-wise fashion, whereby the three-dimensional object designed by said computer is automatically extracted from a substantially two-dimensional surface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
71 words
An improved system for producing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state when subjected to prescribed radiation, said system comprising: a body of fluid medium capable of altering its physical state; means for forming said three-dimensional object from said fluid medium by irradiating a designated surface of said medium to provide integrated, successive surface laminae at said surface, said laminae together defining said three-dimensional object.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
71 words
An improved system for producing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state when subjected to prescribed radiation, said system comprising: a body of fluid medium capable of altering its physical state; means for forming said three-dimensional object from said fluid medium by irradiating a designated surface of said medium to provide integrated, successive surface laminae at said surface, said laminae together defining said three-dimensional object.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for providing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state when subjected to prescribed radiation, said method comprising: containing a body of fluid medium capable of altering its physical state; irradiating a designated surface of said fluid medium with a prescribed pattern to provide a thin cross-sectional lamina at said designated surface; and repeatedly forming a series of such laminae in succession to build the desired three-dimensional object from successive adjacent laminae which together define said object.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for providing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state when subjected to prescribed radiation, said method comprising: containing a body of fluid medium capable of altering its physical state; irradiating a designated surface of said fluid medium with a prescribed pattern to provide a thin cross-sectional lamina at said designated surface; and repeatedly forming a series of such laminae in succession to build the desired three-dimensional object from successive adjacent laminae which together define said object.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
88 words
An improved system for producing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium, said system comprising: a body of fluid medium capable of altering its physical state in response to prescribed radiation; a radiation source for impinging said prescribed radiation in a selected pattern upon a designated surface of said fluid medium to provide only at said surface a thin solid lamina representing a cross-sectional lamina of a three-dimensional object to be formed; and means for combining successive adjacent laminae to form said three-dimensional object from said fluid medium.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
88 words
An improved system for producing a three-dimensional object from a fluid medium, said system comprising: a body of fluid medium capable of altering its physical state in response to prescribed radiation; a radiation source for impinging said prescribed radiation in a selected pattern upon a designated surface of said fluid medium to provide only at said surface a thin solid lamina representing a cross-sectional lamina of a three-dimensional object to be formed; and means for combining successive adjacent laminae to form said three-dimensional object from said fluid medium.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein said radiation source includes: a beam of impinging radiation.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein said radiation source includes: an electron beam.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein said radiation source includes: a beam of high energy particles.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein said radiation source includes: a beam of light.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein said radiation source includes: a beam of ultraviolet light.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein said radiation source includes: x-rays.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein said radiation source and pattern includes: a patterned mask overlying said designated surface for selectively exposing said surface to synergistic stimulation.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein said radiation source and pattern includes: a patterned mask overlying said designated surface selectively exposing said surface to radiation.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein exposure to said prescribed radiation at said designated surface is through a second non-reactive medium.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, and further including: a container for said fluid medium, wherein exposure of said designated surface to said prescribed radiation is through the bottom of said container and a second non-reactive medium adjacent said designated surface.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as set forth in Claim 44, wherein said second non-reactive medium is heavy water.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as set forth in Claim 44, wherein said second non-reactive medium is ethylene glycol.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein the level of said fluid medium locating said designated surface is maintained constant.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein said translational means has multiple degrees of freedom of movement.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein precise focus of said prescribed radiation upon said designated surface is maintained.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein said selected pattern is formed upon said designted surface by radiation emanating from the face of a cathode ray tube.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, wherein said selected pattern is formed by light directly emanating from a phosphor image.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as set forth in Claim 34, and further including: programmed control means for varying the pattern of said impinging radiation upon said designated surface of said fluid medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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