Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A three-dimensional object is fabricated from a light curable liquid resin by repeating the following process to superimpose a plurality of cured resin layers. The process utilizes a vessel containing a volume of the liquid resin and a vertically movable platform. In the process, the platform is immersed in the liquid resin in the vessel to dispose an overlay surface of an immediately previously cured layer sufficiently below the liquid level of the liquid resin. The platform is then raised such that the overlay surface is slightly higher than the liquid level of the liquid resin in the vessel, while keeping the liquid resin on the overlay surface connected with the surrounding liquid resin in the vessel by the effect of surface tension acting on the liquid resin. An excess amount of the liquid resin on the overlay surface is removed to form a liquid resin layer having a desired thickness. The platform is lowered such that an upper surface of the liquid resin layer is substantially in flush with the surrounding liquid level in the vessel, while keeping the desired thickness of the liquid resin layer. A light is then radiated to the liquid resin layer so as to cure it into the cured resin layer.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim