Importance

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Abstract

Methods of coating stereolithographic parts and smoothing over characteristic surface discontinuities having alternating recesses and peaks. A stereolithographic part is first substantially covered with a substance capable of becoming less viscous when heated at a temperature which does not substantially thermally degrade the part, wherein the heated substance has an appropriate surface tension. Then, the substance is heated to that temperature until the substance flows preferentially into the recesses of the surface discontinuities and away from the peaked surface discontinuities. The substance will thereafter form a short surface connection over the recesses of the discontinuities through the surface tension of the heated substance. The substance is then polymerized or hardened either by cooling, thermally setting or by UV curing.

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First Claim