US5164128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods for curing partially polymerized parts
Assignee: 3D Systems Inc
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Filing: 1991-04-02
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Granted: 1992-11-17
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Expires: 2011-04-02
Abstract
Abstract An improved stereolithography system and method for curing a stereolithography-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
2026-11-02 14:34
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C64/00; B29C64/10; B29C64/106; B29C64/124; B29C64/129; B29C64/135; B33; B33Y; B33Y40/00; B33Y40/20; B29K; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0072; B29K2995/0073; G; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/49; G05B2219/49013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for curing a stereolithographically-produced part produced form a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, and the part comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed, comprising: means for providing synergistic stimulation to said part including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said off-peak-absorptive wavelengths, wherein said component has a corresponding energy, and wherein said corresponding energy of said component is such that any further transformation of said no more than partially transformed material upon exposure to said synergistic stimulation provided to said part will primarily occur in response to said component; and means for exposing said part to said provided synergistic stimulation whereupon at least some of said no more than partially transformed material substantially transforms.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for curing a stereolithographically-produced part produced form a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, and the part comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed, comprising: means for providing synergistic stimulation to said part including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said off-peak-absorptive wavelengths, wherein said component has a corresponding energy, and wherein said corresponding energy of said component is such that any further transformation of said no more than partially transformed material upon exposure to said synergistic stimulation provided to said part will primarily occur in response to said component; and means for exposing said part to said provided synergistic stimulation whereupon at least some of said no more than partially transformed material substantially transforms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 43 further comprising means for generally surrounding said part with a substance which conducts heat away from said part while said part is exposed to said synergistic stimulation provided to said part.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said providing means comprises a source of synergistic stimulation, the synergistic stimulation from said source including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said peak-absorptive wavelengths, said means for generally surrounding said part with said substance, and means for directing said synergistic stimulation from said source to follow an optical path from said source through said substance and to said part, said substance including an absorber which at least partially absorbs said peak-absorptive component out of said synergistic stimulation from said source to form said synergistic stimulation provided to said part.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for curing a stereolithographically-produced part formed from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, and the part comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed, comprising the steps of: providing synergistic stimulation including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said off-peak absorptive wavelengths, wherein said component has a corresponding energy, and wherein said corresponding energy of said component is such that any further transformation of said at most partially transformed material upon exposure to said synergistic stimulation will primarily occur in response to said component; and exposing said part to said provided synergistic stimulation whereupon at least some of said no more than partially transformed material substantially transforms.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for curing a stereolithographically-produced part formed from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, and the part comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed, comprising the steps of: providing synergistic stimulation including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said off-peak absorptive wavelengths, wherein said component has a corresponding energy, and wherein said corresponding energy of said component is such that any further transformation of said at most partially transformed material upon exposure to said synergistic stimulation will primarily occur in response to said component; and exposing said part to said provided synergistic stimulation whereupon at least some of said no more than partially transformed material substantially transforms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of generally surrounding said part with a substance which conducts heat away from said part before performing said exposing step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising directing synergistic stimulation from a source, the synergistic stimulation from said source including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said peak-absorptive wavelengths, to follow an optical path from said source through said substance to said part, and filtering, at least in part, said component out of said synergistic stimulation from said source, by adding an absorber to said substance which at least partially absorbs said component, to form said synergistic stimulation provided to said part.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for curing a stereolithographically-produced part formed from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, and the part comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed, comprising: means for providing synergistic stimulation including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said off-peak-absorptive wavelengths, wherein the component has a corresponding energy, and wherein said corresponding energy of said component is substantially greater than any energy of any component of said synergistic stimulation which is at said peak-absorptive wavelengths; and means for exposing said part to said provided synergistic stimulation whereupon at least some of said at most partially transformed material substantially transforms.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for curing a stereolithographically-produced part formed from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, and the part comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed, comprising: means for providing synergistic stimulation including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said off-peak-absorptive wavelengths, wherein the component has a corresponding energy, and wherein said corresponding energy of said component is substantially greater than any energy of any component of said synergistic stimulation which is at said peak-absorptive wavelengths; and means for exposing said part to said provided synergistic stimulation whereupon at least some of said at most partially transformed material substantially transforms.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for curing a stereolithographically-produced part formed from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, and the part comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed, comprising: providing synergistic stimulation including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said off-peak-absorptive wavelengths, wherein said component has a corresponding energy, and wherein said corresponding energy of said component is substantially greater than any energy of any component of said synergistic stimulation which is at said peak-absorptive wavelength; and exposing said part to said provided synergistic stimulation whereupon at least some of said at most partially transformed material substantially transforms.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for curing a stereolithographically-produced part formed from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, and the part comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed, comprising: providing synergistic stimulation including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said off-peak-absorptive wavelengths, wherein said component has a corresponding energy, and wherein said corresponding energy of said component is substantially greater than any energy of any component of said synergistic stimulation which is at said peak-absorptive wavelength; and exposing said part to said provided synergistic stimulation whereupon at least some of said at most partially transformed material substantially transforms.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for curing a stereolithographically-produced part formed from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, and the part comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed, comprising: means for directing synergistic stimulation, originating from a source and including at least one off-peak absorptive wavelength and further including, as a component, synergistic stimulation at at least one of said peak-absorptive wavelengths, along an optical path from said source to said part; and filtering means situated along said optical path for substantially filtering said component out of said synergistic stimulation from said source to form synergistic stimulation which exposes said part, whereupon at least some of said no more than partially transformed material substantially transforms.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for curing a stereolithographically-produced part formed from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, and the part comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed, comprising: means for directing synergistic stimulation, originating from a source and including at least one off-peak absorptive wavelength and further including, as a component, synergistic stimulation at at least one of said peak-absorptive wavelengths, along an optical path from said source to said part; and filtering means situated along said optical path for substantially filtering said component out of said synergistic stimulation from said source to form synergistic stimulation which exposes said part, whereupon at least some of said no more than partially transformed material substantially transforms.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for curing a stereolithographically-produced part from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material and off-peak absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, and the part comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed, comprising: directing synergistic stimulation, originating from a source and including at least one off-peak absorptive wavelength and further including, as a component, synergistic stimulation at at least one of said peak-absorptive wavelengths, along an optical path from said source to said part; and substantially filtering said component out of said synergistic stimulation to form synergistic stimulation which exposes said part, whereupon at least some of said no more than partially transformed material substantially transforms.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for curing a stereolithographically-produced part from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material and off-peak absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, and the part comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed, comprising: directing synergistic stimulation, originating from a source and including at least one off-peak absorptive wavelength and further including, as a component, synergistic stimulation at at least one of said peak-absorptive wavelengths, along an optical path from said source to said part; and substantially filtering said component out of said synergistic stimulation to form synergistic stimulation which exposes said part, whereupon at least some of said no more than partially transformed material substantially transforms.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional object from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, comprising: means for selectively exposing said material to synergistic stimulation to form a preliminary object comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed; means for providing synergistic stimulation including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said off-peak-absorptive wavelengths, wherein said component has a corresponding energy, and wherein said corresponding energy of said component is such that any further transformation of said no more than partially transformed material upon exposure to said provided synergistic stimulation will primarily occur in response to said component; and means for exposing said preliminary object to said provided synergistic stimulation whereupon at least some of said at most partially transformed material transforms.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional object from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, comprising: means for selectively exposing said material to synergistic stimulation to form a preliminary object comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed; means for providing synergistic stimulation including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said off-peak-absorptive wavelengths, wherein said component has a corresponding energy, and wherein said corresponding energy of said component is such that any further transformation of said no more than partially transformed material upon exposure to said provided synergistic stimulation will primarily occur in response to said component; and means for exposing said preliminary object to said provided synergistic stimulation whereupon at least some of said at most partially transformed material transforms.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for forming a three-dimensional object from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, comprising the steps of: selectively exposing said material to synergistic stimulation to form a preliminary object comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed; providing synergistic stimulation including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said off-peak-absorptive wavelengths, wherein said component has a corresponding energy, and wherein said corresponding energy of said component is such that any further transformation of said no more than partially transformed material upon exposure to said provided synergistic stimulation will primarily occur in response to said component; and exposing said preliminary object to said provided synergistic stimulation whereupon said at most partially transformed material transforms.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for forming a three-dimensional object from a material capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation within a reactive range of wavelengths, the range including peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed most strongly by the material, and off-peak-absorptive wavelengths absorbed substantially less strongly by the material, comprising the steps of: selectively exposing said material to synergistic stimulation to form a preliminary object comprising at least some of said material which is no more than partially transformed; providing synergistic stimulation including as a component synergistic stimulation at at least one of said off-peak-absorptive wavelengths, wherein said component has a corresponding energy, and wherein said corresponding energy of said component is such that any further transformation of said no more than partially transformed material upon exposure to said provided synergistic stimulation will primarily occur in response to said component; and exposing said preliminary object to said provided synergistic stimulation whereupon said at most partially transformed material transforms.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-17 | 1996-05-18 | 1996-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-17 | 2000-05-18 | 2000-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-17 | 2004-05-18 | 2004-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |