Patent US5348693A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5348693A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Formation of three dimensional objects and assemblies
Assignee: EOPLEX TECHNOLOGIES Inc
•
Filing: 1991-11-12
•
Granted: 1994-09-20
•
Expires: 2011-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for making a three dimensional product wherein the size and shape of a plurality of cross-sectional segments of the three dimensional object are determined which when assembled together in a particular sequence form the desired three dimensional shape. Thin layers of material in the shape of each of the cross-sectional segments are applied in the particular sequence in which they form the three dimensional object. The application of each of the layers is much like a lithographic printing process in that a resin may be applied by a roller in the shape of the cross-sectional segments.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles S. Taylor
- 👤 William B. Tiffany
- 👤 Paul Cherkas
- 👤 John J. Frantzen
- 👤 Hilary J. Hampton
- 👤 Leonard Nanis
- 👤 Bhupendra O. Shah
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:35
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/46; H05K3/4644; H05K3/4664; B; B29; B29C; B29C64/00; B29C64/10; B29C64/141; B29C64/153
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for forming a three dimensional object having a desired size and shape, comprising: a) developing shapes and dimensions for a group of individual cross-sectional segments which, when put together in a particular sequence, form the desired shape of the three dimensional object in the desired size; b) providing a plurality of formation sites for forming three dimensional objects in a linear array; c) forming by suitable means out of suitable material each segment of a first group of individual cross-sectional segments on the individual formation sites in the developed shapes and dimensions and in the aforesaid particular sequence along the linear array; d) adjusting relative positions between the formation sites on which the first group of individual cross-sectional segments have been formed and the means employed to form the cross-sectional segments thereon to align the means to form the cross-sectional segments with the appropriate formation sites so that next individual layers in proper sequence may be formed on previously formed cross-sectional segments; and e) repeating the steps c) and d) for sufficient number of additional cycles to form at least one three dimensional object in the desired size and shape.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for forming a three dimensional object having a desired size and shape, comprising: a) developing shapes and dimensions for a group of individual cross-sectional segments which, when put together in a particular sequence, form the desired shape of the three dimensional object in the desired size; b) providing a plurality of formation sites for forming three dimensional objects in a linear array; c) forming by suitable means out of suitable material each segment of a first group of individual cross-sectional segments on the individual formation sites in the developed shapes and dimensions and in the aforesaid particular sequence along the linear array; d) adjusting relative positions between the formation sites on which the first group of individual cross-sectional segments have been formed and the means employed to form the cross-sectional segments thereon to align the means to form the cross-sectional segments with the appropriate formation sites so that next individual layers in proper sequence may be formed on previously formed cross-sectional segments; and e) repeating the steps c) and d) for sufficient number of additional cycles to form at least one three dimensional object in the desired size and shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the relative positions between the formation sites and the means employed to form the cross-sectional segments are adjusted one formation site.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the number of formation sites for forming three dimensional objects equal at least the number of different cross-sectional segments needed to form the desired three dimensional object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 3 wherein individual layers of materials are formed at the formation sites in the shapes and dimensions for all of the cross-sectional segments and in the particular sequence developed to form the desired three dimensional object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the individual layers are formed of a plurality of materials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 5 wherein a partial layer of first material at a particular level at a formation site defines at least in part a partial layer of second material at the same level at the formation site.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the first material is removed, leaving a three dimensional object formed of the second material having the desired shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 wherein at least one of the plurality of materials forming a layer contains polymerizable plastic resin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 5 wherein at least one of the plurality of materials contains sinterable components.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 wherein at least one of the materials is consolidated by polymerization.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 herein the polymerization is effected by means of radiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the consolidation is effected by solvent evaporation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 wherein at least one material is consolidated by sintering.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the sintering is effected by the application of monochromatic radiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the layers are applied by printing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the printing is offset lithography.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of making a plurality of three dimensional objects of a desired size and shape, comprising: a) developing shapes and dimensions for a group of individual cross-sectional segments which, when assembled together in a particular sequence, form the desired shape of the three dimensional object in the desired size; b) in a first cycle forming a first cross-sectional segment having the developed shape and dimensions by forming a first layer of a removable first material in a first pattern at a formation site; and forming a first layer of a second material in a second pattern at the same formation site at which the first layer of first material is formed, the layer of removable first material shaping at least part of the first layer of the second material forming a cross-sectional segment having a desired shape and desired dimensions; c) subsequently forming in a plurality of cycles at the formation site other cross-sectional segments having a desired shape and desired dimensions in the particular sequence, with each subsequent cross-sectional segment being bonded to the previously formed cross-sectional segment until a three dimensional object of the desired size and shape is formed; and d) removing the removable first material from the formed three dimensional object.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of making a plurality of three dimensional objects of a desired size and shape, comprising: a) developing shapes and dimensions for a group of individual cross-sectional segments which, when assembled together in a particular sequence, form the desired shape of the three dimensional object in the desired size; b) in a first cycle forming a first cross-sectional segment having the developed shape and dimensions by forming a first layer of a removable first material in a first pattern at a formation site; and forming a first layer of a second material in a second pattern at the same formation site at which the first layer of first material is formed, the layer of removable first material shaping at least part of the first layer of the second material forming a cross-sectional segment having a desired shape and desired dimensions; c) subsequently forming in a plurality of cycles at the formation site other cross-sectional segments having a desired shape and desired dimensions in the particular sequence, with each subsequent cross-sectional segment being bonded to the previously formed cross-sectional segment until a three dimensional object of the desired size and shape is formed; and d) removing the removable first material from the formed three dimensional object.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the layer of first material at a particular level at a formation site defines at least in part the layer of second material at the same level at the formation site.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 wherein at least one of the first and second materials contains polymerizable plastic resin.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 wherein at least one of the first and second materials contains sinterable components.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19 wherein at least one of the materials are consolidated by polymerization.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the polymerization is effected by means of radiation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the consolidation is effected by solvent evaporation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 wherein at least one material is consolidated by sintering.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the sintering is effected by the application of monochromatic radiation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 wherein at least one of the layers are applied by printing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the printing is offset lithographic printing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the first material is removed, leaving the desired three dimensional product.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3264385A
Cited
US3390447A
Cited
US4113480A
Cited
US4575330A
Cited
US4575330B1
Cited
US4698907A
Cited
US4752352A
Cited
US4863538A
Cited
US5059266A
Cited
US5156697A
Cited
US5088047A
Cited
US5094935A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-09-19 | 1998-03-21 | 1998-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-19 | 2002-03-21 | 2002-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-19 | 2006-03-21 | 2006-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |