US5344298A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for making three-dimensional objects by stereolithography
Assignee: 3D Systems Inc
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Filing: 1992-10-20
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Granted: 1994-09-06
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Expires: 2012-10-20
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
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:19
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C41/00; B29C41/02; B29C41/20; B29C64/00; B29C64/10; B29C64/106; B29C64/124; B29C64/129; B29C64/135; B33; B33Y; B33Y30/00; B33Y50/00; B33Y50/02; G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/0037; G03F7/70; G03F7/70416; G09; G09B; G09B25/00; G09B25/02; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/0827; B29C2035/0833; B29C2035/0844; B29C35/0866; B29C2035/0877; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/49; G05B2219/49013; G05B2219/49017; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object from a medium capable of solidification when subjected to a reactive material on substantially a layer by layer basis, comprising: means for generating cross-sectional data descriptive of cross-sections of the three-dimensional object to be formed; means for forming successive layers of medium; means for selectively solidifying at least portions of said successive layers of medium, including means for selectively dispensing a reactive material onto said portions of the layers of medium to be solidified, wherein a combination including the medium and the reactive material result in solidification of the medium, and wherein the solidified portions of said successive layers of medium form successive layers of the three-dimensional object; and means for adhering said successive layers of said three-dimensional object together to form said three-dimensional object from a plurality of solidified layers of said medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object from a medium capable of solidification when subjected to a reactive material on substantially a layer by layer basis, comprising: means for generating cross-sectional data descriptive of cross-sections of the three-dimensional object to be formed; means for forming successive layers of medium; means for selectively solidifying at least portions of said successive layers of medium, including means for selectively dispensing a reactive material onto said portions of the layers of medium to be solidified, wherein a combination including the medium and the reactive material result in solidification of the medium, and wherein the solidified portions of said successive layers of medium form successive layers of the three-dimensional object; and means for adhering said successive layers of said three-dimensional object together to form said three-dimensional object from a plurality of solidified layers of said medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said successive layers of said medium are formed adjacent to previously solidified layers of said three-dimensional object and adhesion occurs upon solidification of said layers of said medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for selectively dispensing comprises an ink-jet dispenser which is computer controlled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for selectively dispensing comprises a mask through which said material is dispensed onto said medium.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object from a medium capable of solidification when subjected to a chemical on substantially a layer by layer basis, comprising: means for generating cross-sectional data descriptive of cross-sections of the three-dimensional object to be formed; means for forming layers of said medium to be solidified; means for forming layers of said three-dimensional object by selectively solidifying at least portions of said layers of medium including means for selectively dispensing said chemical onto said portions of said layers of medium; and means for adhering said layers of said three-dimensional object together to form said three-dimensional object.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object from a medium capable of solidification when subjected to a chemical on substantially a layer by layer basis, comprising: means for generating cross-sectional data descriptive of cross-sections of the three-dimensional object to be formed; means for forming layers of said medium to be solidified; means for forming layers of said three-dimensional object by selectively solidifying at least portions of said layers of medium including means for selectively dispensing said chemical onto said portions of said layers of medium; and means for adhering said layers of said three-dimensional object together to form said three-dimensional object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said layers of said medium are formed adjacent to previously solidified layers of said three-dimensional object and adhesion occurs upon solidification of said layers of said medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for selectively dispensing comprises an ink-jet dispenser which is computer controlled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for selectively dispensing comprises a mask through which said chemical is dispensed onto said medium.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object, comprising: means for generating cross-sectional data descriptive of cross-sections of the three-dimensional object; means for forming layers of an unsolidified medium wherein said unsolidified medium is capable of being solidified by chemical reactions; means for forming successive layers of said three-dimensional object by selectively solidifying said layers of medium including means for selectively spraying a material onto said layers of unsolidified medium to induce said chemical reactions; and means for adhering said successive layers of said three-dimensional object together to form said three-dimensional object from a plurality of adhered layers.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object, comprising: means for generating cross-sectional data descriptive of cross-sections of the three-dimensional object; means for forming layers of an unsolidified medium wherein said unsolidified medium is capable of being solidified by chemical reactions; means for forming successive layers of said three-dimensional object by selectively solidifying said layers of medium including means for selectively spraying a material onto said layers of unsolidified medium to induce said chemical reactions; and means for adhering said successive layers of said three-dimensional object together to form said three-dimensional object from a plurality of adhered layers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said layers of said medium are formed adjacent to previously solidified layers of said three-dimensional object and adhesion occurs upon solidification of said layers of said medium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for selectively spraying comprises an ink-jet dispenser which is computer controlled.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for selectively spraying comprises a mask through which said material is dispensed onto said medium.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
122 words
A apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object from a medium capable of solidification when subjected to a material on substantially a layer by layer basis, comprising: computer means for generating cross-sectional data descriptive of cross-sections of the three-dimensional object; means for forming successive layers of medium to be solidified adjacent to previously formed layers of medium; means for selectively solidifying and adhering successive layers of medium to form successive layers of said three-dimensional object, including means for dispensing a material onto said portions of the layers of medium to be solidified, wherein a combination including the medium and the material result in solidification of the medium, thereby forming the three-dimensional object from a plurality of solidified and adhered layers of said medium.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
122 words
A apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object from a medium capable of solidification when subjected to a material on substantially a layer by layer basis, comprising: computer means for generating cross-sectional data descriptive of cross-sections of the three-dimensional object; means for forming successive layers of medium to be solidified adjacent to previously formed layers of medium; means for selectively solidifying and adhering successive layers of medium to form successive layers of said three-dimensional object, including means for dispensing a material onto said portions of the layers of medium to be solidified, wherein a combination including the medium and the material result in solidification of the medium, thereby forming the three-dimensional object from a plurality of solidified and adhered layers of said medium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said means for selectively dispensing comprises an ink-jet dispenser.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the means for selectively dispensing comprises a mask through which said material is dispensed onto said medium.
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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) | 1997-09-05 | 1998-03-07 | 1998-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-05 | 2002-03-07 | 2002-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-05 | 2006-03-07 | 2006-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |