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Abstract

An apparatus and method for forming an integral three-dimensional object from laminations of the same or gradually varying shape. The apparatus includes a supply station, a work station for forming a material into a plurality of laminations for the three-dimensional object, a control station for directing the operation of the work station, an assembling station for stacking the laminations in sequence into the three-dimensional object, and bonding the laminations to complete the formation of the three-dimensional object. The method includes the steps of providing a work station for forming the laminations for the three-dimensional object, providing the material which can be a bimaterial composite, providing a control station for directing the operation of the work station, entering data concerning the three-dimensional object at the control station, instructing the control station to direct the operation of the work station, assembling the laminations in sequence into the form of the three-dimensional object, and integrally bonding the laminations to complete the formation of the integral three-dimensional object. By following the method, a unique three-dimensional object formed of individually contoured laminations of the same or gradually varying shape is obtained.

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First Claim