Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An improved stereolithographic system which produces a three-dimensional object from a heat curable fluid medium which is capable of solidification when subjected to heat includes a computer-aided design controller, a container, an elevator platform and a first servo mechanism which incrementally drives the elevator platform in response to the output signals. The improved stereolithographic system also includes an elongated carrier which is movably coupled to the container, a second servo mechanism which incrementally drives the elongated carrier along the two side walls of the container in response to the output signals, a plurality of spot-sources of heat and a switching network. Each spot-source of heat may be individually switched on and is serially disposed on and fixedly coupled to the bottom surface of the elongated carrier on the bottom surface adjacent to the designated working surface. The switching network individually switches on each spot-source of heat in response to each set of output signals. The bottom surface of the elongated carrier travels across the plane of the designated working surface in order to produce a cross-sectional lamina. When the cross-sectional lamina has been produced the elevator platform moves incrementally down the thickness of one of the cross-sectional laminae in order to produce the next cross-sectional laminae.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim