US5076974A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods of curing partially polymerized parts
Assignee: 3D Systems Inc
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Filing: 1988-11-08
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Granted: 1991-12-31
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Expires: 2008-11-08
Abstract
Abstract An improved stereolithography system and method for curing a stereolithographically-produced part, including at least some material that is no more than partially transformed, by exposing the part to off-peak-absorptive wavelengths of synergistic stimulation to achieve a more uniform cure.
Inventors
- 👤 Borzo Modrek
- 👤 Brent Parker
- 👤 Stuart T. Spence
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:48
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C64/00; B29C64/10; B29C64/106; B29C64/124; B29C64/129; B29C64/135; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/04; B29C35/041; B29C64/20; B29C64/264; B29C64/268; B29C64/286; B29C64/30; B29C64/35; B33; B33Y; B33Y40/00; B33Y40/20; B29C35/08; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/0827; B29C2035/0838; B29K; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0072; B29K2995/0073; G; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/49; G05B2219/49013; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S522/00; Y10S522/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for curing a stereolithographically-produced, partially polymerized part comprising a material that absorbs reactive electromagnetic radiation most strongly at peak-absorptive wavelengths and less strongly at off-peak absorptive wavelengths, comprising the steps of: providing a source of electromagnetic radiation, including both peak-absorptive and off-peak absorptive wavelengths, for curing said part; and exposing said part to electromagnetic radiation while substantially screening the electromagnetic radiation at the peak-absorptive wavelengths, thereby curing the part with primarily off-peak absorptive wavelengths.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for curing a stereolithographically-produced, partially polymerized part comprising a material that absorbs reactive electromagnetic radiation most strongly at peak-absorptive wavelengths and less strongly at off-peak absorptive wavelengths, comprising the steps of: providing a source of electromagnetic radiation, including both peak-absorptive and off-peak absorptive wavelengths, for curing said part; and exposing said part to electromagnetic radiation while substantially screening the electromagnetic radiation at the peak-absorptive wavelengths, thereby curing the part with primarily off-peak absorptive wavelengths.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of immersing the part in water, wherein the screening is carried out by adding photoinitiator to the water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of immersing the part in water and maintaining the water in a substantially pure state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an electromagnetic screen between the source of electromagnetic radiation and the part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising maintaining the water at a preselected temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said providing step comprises providing said source of electromagnetic radiation which is ultraviolet radiation, and said screening step comprises substantially screening the ultraviolet radiation at the peak-absorptive wavelengths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of immersing the part in water, wherein the screening step comprises adding photoinitiator to the water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of maintaining the water in a substantially pure state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the screening step comprises providing an electromagnetic screen between said source and the part.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of substantially maintaining the water at a preselected temperature.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for curing a stereolithographically-produced, partially polymerized part comprising a material that absorbs reactive electromagnetic radiation most strongly at peak-absorptive wavelengths and less strongly at off-peak absorptive wavelengths to further polymerize said part, comprising the steps of: submerging the part in a liquid medium; adding an absorbing substance, which absorbs electromagnetic radiation at peak-absorptive wavelengths more strongly than at off-peak absorptive wavelengths, to the liquid medium; and exposing said part to electromagnetic radiation while said part is still submerged in said liquid medium, thereby curing the part with primarily off-peak absorptive wavelengths.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for curing a stereolithographically-produced, partially polymerized part comprising a material that absorbs reactive electromagnetic radiation most strongly at peak-absorptive wavelengths and less strongly at off-peak absorptive wavelengths to further polymerize said part, comprising the steps of: submerging the part in a liquid medium; adding an absorbing substance, which absorbs electromagnetic radiation at peak-absorptive wavelengths more strongly than at off-peak absorptive wavelengths, to the liquid medium; and exposing said part to electromagnetic radiation while said part is still submerged in said liquid medium, thereby curing the part with primarily off-peak absorptive wavelengths.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said adding step comprises adding photoinitiator to the liquid medium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said adding step comprises adding said substance which is said photoinitiator to the liquid medium.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for curing a stereolithographically-produced, partially polymerized part comprising a material that absorbs reactive electromagnetic radiation most strongly at peak-absorptive wavelengths and less strongly at off-peak absorptive wavelengths to further polymerize said part, comprising the steps of: exposing said part to electromagnetic radiation from a source; and placing a screen, which filters peak-absorptive wavelengths more strongly than off-peak absorptive wavelengths from the electromagnetic radiation, between the part and said source of electromagnetic radiation, thereby curing the part primarily with off-peak absorptive wavelengths.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for curing a stereolithographically-produced, partially polymerized part comprising a material that absorbs reactive electromagnetic radiation most strongly at peak-absorptive wavelengths and less strongly at off-peak absorptive wavelengths to further polymerize said part, comprising the steps of: exposing said part to electromagnetic radiation from a source; and placing a screen, which filters peak-absorptive wavelengths more strongly than off-peak absorptive wavelengths from the electromagnetic radiation, between the part and said source of electromagnetic radiation, thereby curing the part primarily with off-peak absorptive wavelengths.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-30 | 1995-07-01 | 1995-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-30 | 1999-07-01 | 1999-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-30 | 2003-07-01 | 2003-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |