EP0338751A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stereolithographic supports
Assignee: 3D Systems Inc
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Filing: 1989-04-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-04-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved stereolithography system for generating a three-dimensional object 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, using information defining the object which is specially tailored to provide built-in supports for the object, reduce curl and distortion, and increase resolution, strength, accuracy, speed and economy of reproduction, the 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 pro- 'cess. Stereolithographic supports for the object are described, including a preferred embodiment known as web supports.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles William Hull
- 👤 Charles William Lewis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:42
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; G; G06; G06T; G06T17/00; G06T17/20; B29C41/00; B29C41/02; B29C41/12; B29C41/34; B29C41/36; B29C64/00; B29C64/10; B29C64/106; B29C64/124; B29C64/129; B29C64/135; B29C64/40; B29C67/00; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/42; G01J1/4257; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/0037; G03F7/70; G03F7/70416; G06T17/10; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/49; G05B2219/49013; G05B2219/49015; G05B2219/49039
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
An improved stereolithographic system, comprising: first means for providing tailored object defining data with respect to a three-dimensional object to be formed, said tailored data specifying support structure for said object; and second means responsive to said tailored data for automatically forming said three-dimensional object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
An improved stereolithographic system, comprising: first means for providing tailored object defining data with respect to a three-dimensional object to be formed, said tailored data specifying support structure for said object; and second means responsive to said tailored data for automatically forming said three-dimensional object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An improved stereolithographic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tailored data specifies web supports for said object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An improved stereolithographic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tailored data specifies long slender rectangular support structures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An improved stereolithographic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tailored data specifies webs thin enough to facilitate removal from said object after said object is formed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An improved stereolithographic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tailored data specifies webs long enough to'provide good adhesion to an elevator platform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An improved stereolithographic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tailored data specifies webs long enough to span the cross-section of said object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An improved stereolithographic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tailored data specifies supports which anchor layer borders in place umll cross-hatch vectors are drawn.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved stereolithographic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tailored data specifies supports for preventing deformation of cantilevered beams.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved stereolithographic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tailored data specifies supports for attaching layer sections that would otherwise drift.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improved stereolithographic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tailored data specifies parallel web supports.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improved stereolithographic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tailored data specifies perpendicular web supports.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An improved stereolithographic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tailored data specifies diagonal supports.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for improved stereolithography, comprising the steps of: providing tailored object defining data with respect to a three-dimensional object to be formed, said tailored data specifying support structure of said object; and utilizing said tailored data to stereolithographically form said three-dimensional object.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for improved stereolithography, comprising the steps of: providing tailored object defining data with respect to a three-dimensional object to be formed, said tailored data specifying support structure of said object; and utilizing said tailored data to stereolithographically form said three-dimensional object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for improved stereolithography as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of providing includes data which specifies web supports for said object.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for improved stereolithography as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of providing includes data which specifies a long slender rectangular support structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method for improved stereolithography as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of providing includes data which specifies webs thin enough to facilitate removal from said object after said object is formed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for improved stereolithography as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of providing includes data which specifies webs long enough to provide good adhesion to an elevator platform.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for improved stereolithography as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of providing includes data which specifies webs long enough to span the cross-section of said object.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for improved stereolithography as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of providing includes data which specifies supports which anchor layer borders in place until cross-hatch vectors are drawn.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for improved stereolithography as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of providing includes data which specifies supports for preventing deformation of cantilevered beams.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for improved stereolithography as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of providing includes data which specifies supports for attaching layer sections that would otherwise drift.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for improved stereolithography as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of providing includes data which specifies parallel web supports.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for improved stereolithography as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of providing includes data which specifies perpendicular web supports.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method for improved stereolithography as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of providing includes data which specifies diagonal supports.
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