US5106288A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser based plastic model making workstation
Assignee: Austral Asian Lasers Pty Ltd
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Filing: 1989-04-11
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Granted: 1992-04-21
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Expires: 2009-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A system for producing precision plastic products via the polymerization of liquid plastics using combined static ultra-violet laser stencil imaging with dynamic focused ultra-violet laser beams is provided. Computer control of the position of the laser beams relative to the face of a computer controlled adjustable pattern immersed in the liquid plastic allows for the hardened plastic product being produced to rest on an end face of the piston as the computer controlled laser beam profiling processes takes place within the liquid plastic.
Inventors
- 👤 John L. Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:22
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/0006; B29; B29C; B29C64/00; B29C64/10; B29C64/106; B29C64/124; B29C64/129; B29C64/135; G; G03; G03C; G03C9/00; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/20; G03F7/2051; G03F7/2053; G03F7/2055; G09; G09B; G09B25/00; B23K2101/00; B23K2101/007; B23K2103/00; B23K2103/30; B23K2103/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A system for producing precision plastic products via ultra-violet laser beam polymerization of liquid plastics, comprising: a tank for containing liquid ultra-violet curable plastic, ultra-violet means for selectively curing a portion of the plastic on a surface thereof, said ultra-violet means having a first ultra-violet part and a second ultra-violet part, a movable base means for supporting the selectively cured portion, said first ultra-violet part forming an ultra-violet laser beam image which is static for each successive position of said base means for high resolution polymerization, said second ultra-violet part forming a focused ultra-violet laser beam spot which is dynamic for each successive position of said base means for low resolution polymerization, and control means for controlling said ultra-violet means and said base means such that said base means is successively movable in order to permit said ultra-violet means to selectively cure successive plastic portions, whereby a three-dimensional polymerized plastic object is formed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A system for producing precision plastic products via ultra-violet laser beam polymerization of liquid plastics, comprising: a tank for containing liquid ultra-violet curable plastic, ultra-violet means for selectively curing a portion of the plastic on a surface thereof, said ultra-violet means having a first ultra-violet part and a second ultra-violet part, a movable base means for supporting the selectively cured portion, said first ultra-violet part forming an ultra-violet laser beam image which is static for each successive position of said base means for high resolution polymerization, said second ultra-violet part forming a focused ultra-violet laser beam spot which is dynamic for each successive position of said base means for low resolution polymerization, and control means for controlling said ultra-violet means and said base means such that said base means is successively movable in order to permit said ultra-violet means to selectively cure successive plastic portions, whereby a three-dimensional polymerized plastic object is formed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein dimensions of said static image are variable in size for different positions of said base means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said static image are variable in shape with respect to different positions of said base means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said focused laser beam is moved relative to said static laser beam image, in coordination with a specific position of said base means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said base means is sealed inside said tank, a face of said base means forming a base for said cured portion, the position of said base means being adjusted to maintain a liquid plastic-polymerized plastic interface in a plane in which said static image is focused and over which plane said focus spot of said focused laser beam is scanned.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 1, further comprising a recirculating filter system for removing polymerization debris from said tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 1, further comprising a movable, transparent, ultra-violet transmitting film disposed on an entrance window to said tank, said film arranged and constructed to protect said entrance window from polymerization debris.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said ultra-violet means forms a multitude of treated areas of approximately one micron in diameter on a plastic card, said areas forming pictorial and alphanumeric data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said static laser beam image is arranged for high resolution polymerization of liquid plastics, said focus spot of said focused incident laser beam is arranged for rapid polymerization of the liquid plastic in regions which do not require high resolution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said laser beams are phased array laser beams.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 1, said ultra-violet means further comprising a liquid crystal light valve arranged and constructed to produce a real time static image.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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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) | 1995-04-21 | 1995-10-21 | 1996-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-21 | 1999-10-21 | 2000-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-21 | 2003-10-21 | 2004-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |