(75)
`(73)
`21)
`22
`(51)
`52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`United States Patent (19)
`Hull
`
`(54)
`
`APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF
`THREE-DMENSONAL OBJECTS BY
`STEREO THOGRAPHY
`Charles W. Hull, Arcadia, Calif.
`Inventor:
`Assignee:
`UVP, Inc., San Gabriel, Calif.
`Appl. No.: 638,905
`Filed:
`Aug. 8, 1984
`Int. Cl." ...................... B29D 11/00; G03C 00/00
`U.S. C. ................................. 425/1744; 425/174;
`425/162; 264/22; 430/269; 156/58; 365/119;
`365/120
`Field of Search ..................... 425/162, 174, 1744,
`425/425; 264/22, 183, 40.1; 430/269; 156/38,
`58,275.5; 365/107, 119, 127
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,708,617 5/1955 Magat et al. .................... 264/183X
`2,908,545 10/1959 Teja .................................. 264/22 X
`3,306,835 2/1967, Magnus.
`... 425/174.4 X
`3,635,625 l/1972 Voss ................................ 425/62 X
`3,775,036 11/1973 Winning ........................... 425/174.4
`3,974,248 8/1976 Atkinson ....
`, 425/162 X
`4,041,476 8/1977 Swainson ............................ 365/119
`4,078,229 3/1978 Swainson et al. ................... 365/107
`4,081,276 3/1978 Crivello .........
`. 430/269
`4,238,840 12/1980 Swainson ............................ 36.5/119
`
`4,575,330
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent: Mar. 11, 1986
`
`4,252,514 2/1981 Gates ................................... 425/162
`4,288,861 9/1981 Swainson et al. ...
`... 36.5/127
`4,292,015 9/1981 Hritz ...................
`425/162 X
`4,329,135 5/1982 Beck .................................... 425/174
`4,333,165 6/1982 Swainson et al.
`365/127 X
`4,374,077 2/1983 Kerfeld ................................. 264/22
`4,466,080 8/1984 Swainson et al. ..
`365/127 X
`4,471,470 9/1984 Swainson et al. ................... 365/127
`Primary Examiner-J. Howard Flint, Jr.
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fulwider, Patton, Rieber,
`Lee & Utecht
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A system for generating three-dimensional objects by
`creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be
`formed at a selected surface of a fluid medium capable
`of altering its physical state in response to appropriate
`synergistic stimulation by impinging radiation, particle
`bombardment or chemical reaction, successive adjacent
`laminae, representing corresponding successive adja
`cent cross-sections of the object, being automatically
`formed and integrated together to provide a step-wise
`laminar buildup of the desired object, whereby a three
`dimensional object is formed and drawn from a substan
`tially planar surface of the fluid medium during the
`forming process.
`
`47 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures
`
`Cowel/race
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`EX1086
`Yita v. MacNeil
`IPR2020-01139
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Mar. 11, 1986
`U.S. Patent Mar. 11, 1986
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`Sheet | of 4
`
`4.575,330
`4,575,330
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`

`

`U.S. Patent Mar. 11, 1986
`U.S. Patent Mar. 11,1986
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
` Sheet2of4
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`4.575,330
`4,575,330
`
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`26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Mar. 11, 1986
`U.S. Patent Mar. 11,1986
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
` Sheet30f4
`
`4.575,330
`4,575,330
`
`COLUMNATED, BROAD
`Colummarazo, exeoazo
`ULTRAVIOLET
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`LIGHT SOURCE
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`

`

`U.S. Patent Mar. 11, 1986
`U.S. Patent Mar.11,1986
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
` Sheet4of4
`
`4.575,330
`4,575,330
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`1.
`1
`
`APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF
`APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS BY
`THREE-DMENSIONAL OBJECTS BY
`STEREOLITHOGRAPHY
`STEREOLTHOGRAPHY
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates generally to improvements in
`This invention relates generally to improvements in
`apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects from a
`apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects from a
`fluid medium and, more particularly, to stereolithogra
`fluid medium and, moreparticularly, to stereolithogra-
`phy involving the application of lithographic tech
`phy involving the application of lithographic tech-
`niques to production of three-dimensional objects,
`niques to production of three-dimensional objects,
`whereby such objects can be formed rapidly, reliably,
`whereby such objects can be formedrapidly,reliably,
`accurately and economically.
`accurately and economically.
`It is common practice in the production of plastic
`It is commonpractice in the production of. plastic
`15
`parts and the like to first design such a part and then
`parts. and the like to first design such a part and then
`painstakingly produce a prototype of the part, all in
`painstakingly produce a prototype of the part, all in-
`volving considerable time, effort and expense. The de
`volving considerable time, effort and expense. The de-
`sign is then reviewed and, oftentimes, the laborious
`sign is then reviewed and, oftentimes,
`the laborious
`process is again and again repeated until the design has
`process is again and again repeated until the design has
`20
`20
`been optimized. After design optimization, the next step
`been optimized. After design optimization, the next step
`is production. Most production plastic parts are injec
`is production.. Most production plastic parts are injec-
`tion molded. Since the design time and tooling costs are
`tion molded. Since the design time and tooling costsare
`very high, plastic parts are usually only practical in high
`very high,plastic parts are usually only practical in high
`volume production. While other processes are available
`volume production. While other processes are available
`25
`25
`for the production of plastic parts, including direct
`for the production of plastic parts,
`including. direct
`machine work, vacuum-forming and direct forming,
`machine work, vacuum-forming and direct forming,
`such methods are typically only cost effective for short
`such methodsare typically only cost effective for short
`run production, and the parts produced are usually
`run production, and the parts produced are usually
`inferior in quality to molded parts.
`inferior in quality to molded parts.
`30
`30
`In recent years, very sophisticated techniques have
`In recent years, very sophisticated techniques: have
`been developed for generating three-dimensional ob
`been developed for generating three-dimensional ob-
`jects within a fluid medium which is selectively cured
`jects within a fluid medium whichis selectively cured
`by beams of radiation brought to selective focus at pre
`by beamsof radiation broughtto selective focus at pre-
`scribed intersection points within the three-dimensional
`scribed intersection points within the three-dimensional
`35
`35
`volume of the fluid medium. Typical of such three-di
`volume of the fluid. medium. Typical of such three-di-
`mensional systems are those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
`mensional systems are those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
`4,041,476, 4,078,229, 4,238,840 and 4,288,861. All of
`4,041,476, 4,078,229, 4,238,840 and 4,288,861. All of
`these systems rely upon the buildup of synergistic ener
`these systems rely upon the buildup of synergistic ener-
`gization at selected points deep within the fluid volume,
`gization at selected points deep within the fluid volume,
`40
`40
`to the exclusion of all other points in the fluid volume,
`to the exclusion of all other points in the fluid volume,
`using a variety of elaborate multibeam techniques. In
`using a variety of elaborate multibeam techniques. In
`this regard, the various approaches described in the
`' this regard, the various approaches described in the
`prior art include the use of a pair of electromagnetic
`prior art include the use of a pair of electromagnetic
`radiation beams directed to intersect at specified coordi
`45
`radiation beamsdirected to intersect at specified coordi-
`45
`nates, wherein the various beams may be of the same or
`nates, wherein the various beams may be of the same or
`differing wavelengths, or where beams are used sequen
`differing wavelengths, or where beams are used sequen-
`tially to intersect the same points rather than simulta
`tially to intersect the same points rather than simulta-
`neously, but in all cases only the beam intersection
`neously, but in all cases only the beam intersection
`points are stimulated to sufficient energy levels to ac
`50
`points are stimulated to sufficient energy levels to ac-
`50
`complish the necessary curing process for forming a
`complish the necessary curing process for forming a
`three-dimensional object within the volume of the fluid
`three-dimensional object within the volumeofthe fluid
`medium. Unfortunately, however, such three-dimen
`medium. Unfortunately, however, such three-dimen-
`sional forming systems face a number of problems with
`sional forming systems face a number of problems with
`regard to resolution and exposure control. The loss of 55
`regard to resolution and exposure control. The loss of 55
`radiation intensity and image forming resolution of the
`radiation intensity and image forming resolution of the
`focused spots as the intersections move deeper into the
`focused spots as the intersections move deeper into the
`fluid medium create rather obvious complex control
`fluid medium create rather obvious complex control
`situations. Absorption, diffusion, dispersion and defrac
`situations. Absorption, diffusion, dispersion and defrac-
`tion all contribute to the difficulties of working deep
`tion all contribute to the difficulties of working deep
`within the fluid medium on any economical and reliable
`within the fluid medium on any economical andreliable
`basis.
`basis.
`Yet there continues to be a long existing need in the
`Yet there continues to be-a long existing need in the
`design and production arts for the capability of rapidly
`design and productionarts for the capability of rapidly
`65
`and reliably moving from the design stage to the proto
`and reliably moving from the design stage to the proto-
`65
`type stage and to ultimate production, particularly mov
`type stage and to ultimate production, particularly mov-
`ing directly from computer designs for such plastic
`ing directly from computer designs for such plastic
`parts to virtually immediate prototypes and the facility
`parts to virtually immediate prototypes and thefacility
`
`10
`
`4,575,330
`4,575,330
`2
`2
`for large scale production on an economical and auto
`for large scale production on an economical and auto-
`matic basis.
`matic basis.
`Accordingly, those concerned with the development
`Accordingly, those concerned with the development
`and production of three-dimensional plastic objects and
`and production of three-dimensionalplastic objects and
`the like have long recognized the desirability for further
`the like have long recognized the desirability for further
`improvement in more rapid, reliable, economical and
`improvement in more rapid, reliable, economical and
`automatic means which would facilitate quickly mov
`automatic means which would facilitate quickly mov-
`ing from a design stage to the prototype stage and to
`ing from a design stage to the prototype stage and to
`production, while avoiding the complicated focusing,
`production, while avoiding the complicated focusing,
`alignment and exposure problems of the prior art three
`alignment and exposure problemsofthe prior art three
`dimensional production systems. The present invention
`dimensional production systems. The present invention
`clearly fulfills all of these needs.
`clearly fulfills all-of these needs.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention
`Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention
`provides a new and improved system for generating a
`provides a new and improved system for generating a
`three-dimensional object by forming successive, adja
`three-dimensional object by forming successive, adja-
`cent, cross-sectional laminae of that object at the sur
`cent, cross-sectional laminae of that object at the sur-
`face of a fluid medium capable of altering its physical
`face of a fluid medium capableofaltering its physical
`state in response to appropriate synergistic stimulation,
`state in response to appropriate synergistic stimulation,
`the successive laminae being automatically integrated as
`the successive laminae being automatically integrated as
`they are formed to define the desired three-dimensional
`they are formed to define the desired three-dimensional
`object.
`object.
`In a presently preferred embodiment, by way of ex
`'
`Ina presently preferred embodiment, by way of ex-
`ample and not necessarily by way of limitation, the
`ample and not necessarily by way of limitation, the
`present invention harnesses the principles of computer
`present invention harnesses the principles of computer
`generated graphics in combination with stereolithogra
`generated graphics in combination with stereolithogra-
`phy, i.e., the application of lithographic techniques to
`phy, i.e., the application of lithographic techniques to
`the production of three dimensional objects, to simulta
`the production of three dimensional objects, to simulta-
`neously execute computer aided design (CAD) and
`neously execute computer aided design (CAD) and
`computer aided manufacturing (CAM) in producing
`computer aided manufacturing (CAM) in producing
`three-dimensional objects directly from computer in
`three-dimensional objects directly from computer: in-
`structions. The invention can be applied for the pur
`structions. The invention can be applied for the pur-
`poses of sculpturing models and prototypes in a design
`poses of sculpturing models and prototypes in a design
`phase of product development, or as a manufacturing
`phase of product development, or as a manufacturing
`system, or even as a pure art form.
`system, or even as a pure art form.
`"Stereolithography” is a method and apparatus for
`“Stereolithography” is a method and apparatus for
`making solid objects by successively "printing' thin
`making solid objects by successively “printing” thin
`layers of a curable material, e.g., a UV curable material,
`layers of a curable material, e.g., a UV curable material,
`one on top of the other. A programmed movable spot
`one on top of the other. A programmed movable spot
`beam of UV light shining on a surface or layer of UV
`beam of UV light shining on a surface or layer of UV
`curable liquid is used to form a solid cross-section of the
`curable liquid is used to form a solid cross-section of the
`object at the surface of the liquid. The object is then
`object at the surface of the liquid. The object is then
`moved, in a programmed manner, away from the liquid
`moved, in a programmed manner, away from theliquid
`surface by the thickness of one layer, and the next cross
`surface by the thickness of one layer, and the next cross-
`section is then formed and adhered to the immediately
`section is then formed and adhered to the immediately
`preceding layer defining the object. This process is
`preceding layer defining the object. This process is
`continued until the entire object is formed.
`continued until the entire object is formed.
`Essentially all types of object forms can be created
`Essentially all types of object forms can be created
`with the technique of the present invention. Complex
`with the technique of the. present invention. Complex
`forms are more easily created by using the functions of
`forms are moreeasily created by using the functions of
`a computer to help generate the programmed com
`a computer to help generate the programmed com-
`mands and to then send the program signals to the
`mands and to then send the program signals to the
`stereolithographic object forming subsystem.
`stereolithographic object forming subsystem.
`Of course, it will be appreciated that other forms of
`Ofcourse, it will:be appreciated that other forms of
`appropriate synergistic stimulation for a curable fluid
`appropriate synergistic stimulation for a curable fluid
`medium, such as particle bombardment (electron beams
`medium, such as particle bombardment(electron beams
`and the like), chemical reactions by spraying materials
`and the like), chemical reactions by spraying materials
`through a mask or by inkjets, or impinging radiation
`through a mask or by ink jets, or impinging radiation
`other than ultraviolet light, may be used in the practice
`other than ultraviolet light, may be used in the practice
`of the invention without departing from the spirit and
`of the invention without departing from the spirit and
`scope of the invention.
`scope of the invention.
`By way of example, in the practice of the present
`By way of example, in the practice of the present
`invention, a body of a fluid medium capable of solidifi
`invention, a body of a fluid medium capable ofsolidifi-
`cation in response to prescribed stimulation is first ap
`cation in response to prescribed stimulationis first ap-
`propriately contained in any suitable vessel to define a
`propriately contained in any suitable vessel to define a
`designated working surface of the fluid medium at
`designated working surface of the fluid medium at
`which successive cross-sectional laminae can be gener
`which successive cross-sectional laminae can be gener-
`
`

`

`10
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`4,575,330
`4,575,330
`3
`4
`3
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`ated. Thereafter, an appropriate form of synergistic
`and CAM system capable of rapidly, reliably, accu
`ated. Thereafter, an appropriate form of synergistic
`and CAM system capable of rapidly, reliably, accu-
`rately and economically designing and fabricating
`stimulation, such as a spot of UV light or the like, is
`stimulation, such as a spot of UV light or the like, is
`rately and economically designing and fabricating
`applied as a graphic pattern at the specified working
`three-dimensional plastic parts and the like.
`applied as a graphic pattern at the specified working
`three-dimensional plastic parts and thelike.
`surface of the fluid medium to form thin, solid, individ
`The above and other objects and advantages of this
`surface of the fluid medium to form thin, solid, individ-
`The above and other objects and advantages ofthis
`ual layers at that surface, each layer representing an
`invention will be apparent from the following more
`ual layers at that surface, each layer representing an
`invention will.be apparent from the following more
`adjacent cross-section of the three-dimensional object
`detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
`adjacent cross-section of the three-dimensional object
`detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
`to be produced. Superposition of successive adjacent
`accompanying drawings of illustrative embodiments.
`to be produced. Superposition of successive adjacent
`accompanying drawingsofillustrative embodiments.
`layers on each other is automatically accomplished, as
`layers on each other is automatically accomplished, as
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`they are formed, to integrate the layers and define the
`they are formed, to integrate the layers and define the
`desired three-dimensional object. In this regard, as the
`FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are flow charts illustrating the
`desired three-dimensional object. In this regard, as the
`FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are flow charts illustrating the
`fluid medium cures and solid material forms as a thin
`basic concepts employed in practicing the method of
`fluid medium cures and solid material forms as a thin
`basic concepts employed in practicing the method of
`lamina at the working surface, a suitable platform to
`stereolithography of the present invention;
`lamina at the working surface, a suitable platform to
`stereolithography of the present invention;
`which the first lamina is secured is moved away from
`which the first lamina is secured is moved away from
`FIG. 3 is a combined block diagram, schematic and
`FIG.3 is a combined block diagram, schematic and
`the working surface in a programmed manner by any
`elevational sectional view of a presently preferred em
`the working surface in a programmed manner by any
`elevational sectional view of a presently preferred em-
`_ 5
`appropriate actuator, typically all under the control of a
`bodiment of a system for practicing the invention;
`appropriate actuator, typically all under the control of a
`bodiment of a system for practicing the invention;
`15
`micro-computer of the like. In this way, the solid mate
`micro-computerofthelike. In this way, the solid mate-
`FIG. 4 is an elevational sectional view of a second
`FIG.4 is an elevational sectional view of a second
`rial that was initially formed at the working surface is
`embodiment of a stereolithography system for the prac
`rial that wasinitially formed at the working surfaceis
`embodimentof a stereolithography system for the prac-
`moved away from that surface and new liquid flows
`tice of the invention;
`moved away from that surface and new liquid flows
`tice of the invention;
`into the working surface position. A portion of this new
`FIG. 5 is an elevational sectional view, illustrating a
`into the working surface position. A portion of this new
`FIG.5 is an elevational sectional view,illustrating a
`20
`liquid is, in turn, converted to solid material by the
`third embodiment of the present invention;
`liquid is, in turn, converted to solid material by the
`third embodiment of the present invention;
`20
`programmed UV light spot to define a new lamina, and
`FIG. 6 is an elevational sectional view illustrating still
`programmed UV light spot to define a new lamina, and
`FIG.6 is an elevational sectional view illustrating still
`this new lamina adhesively connects to the material
`another embodiment of the present invention; and
`this new lamina adhesively connects to the material
`another embodimentof the present invention; and
`adjacent to it, i.e., the immediately preceding lamina.
`adjacent to it, ie., the immediately preceding lamina.
`FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial, elevational sectional views,
`FIGS.7 and8 are partial, elevational sectional views,
`This process continues until the entire three-dimen
`illustrating a modification of the stereolithographic
`This process continues until the entire three-dimen-
`illustrating a modification of the stereolithographic
`25
`sional object has been formed. The formed object is
`system of FIG. 3 to incorporate an elevator platform
`sional object has been formed. The formed object is
`25
`system of FIG. 3 to incorporate an elevator platform
`then removed from the container and the apparatus is
`with multiple degrees of freedom.
`then removed from the container and the apparatusis
`with multiple degrees of freedom.
`ready to produce another object, either identical to the
`ready to produce another object, either identical to the
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`first object or an entirely new object generated by a
`first object or an entirely new object generated by a
`EMBODIMENT
`EMBODIMENT
`computer or the like.
`computeror thelike.
`The stereolithographic apparatus of the present in
`Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 are
`The stereolithographic apparatus of the present in-
`Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 are
`30
`vention has many advantages over currently used appa
`flow charts illustrating the basic system of the present
`vention has many advantages over currently used appa-
`flow charts illustrating the basic system of the present
`ratus for producing plastic objects. The apparatus of the
`invention for generating three-dimensional objects by
`ratus for producing plastic objects. The apparatusof the
`invention for generating three-dimensional objects by
`present invention avoids the need of producing design
`means of stereolithography.
`present invention avoids the need of producing design
`means of stereolithography.
`layouts and drawings, and of producing tooling draw
`layouts and drawings, and of producing tooling draw-
`Many liquid state chemicals are known which can be
`Manyliquid state chemicals are known which can be
`35
`ings and tooling. The designer can work directly with
`induced to change to solid state polymer plastic by
`ings and tooling. The designer can work directly with
`induced to change to solid state polymer plastic by
`35
`the computer and a stereolithographic device, and
`the computer and a stereolithographic device, and
`irradiation with ultraviolet light (UV) or other forms of
`irradiation with ultraviolet light (UV) or other forms of
`when he is satisfied with the design as displayed on the
`‘whenheis satisfied with the design as displayed on the
`synergistic stimulation such as electron beams, visible
`synergistic stimulation such as electron beams, visible
`output screen of the computer, he can fabricate a part
`or invisible light, reactive chemicals applied by inkjet
`output screen of the computer, he can fabricate a part
`or invisible light, reactive chemicals applied by ink jet
`for direct examination. If the design has to be modified,
`for direct examination. If the design has to be modified,
`or via a suitable mask. UV curable chemicals are cur-
`or via a suitable mask. UV curable chemicals are cur
`40
`it can be easily done through the computer, and then
`rently used as ink for high speed printing, in processes
`it can be easily done through the computer, and then
`rently used as ink for high speed printing, in processes
`another part can be made to verify that the change was
`of coating of paper and other materials, as adhesives,
`another part can be madeto verify that the change was
`of coating of paper and other materials, as adhesives,
`correct. If the design calls for several parts with inter
`and in other specialty areas.
`correct. If the design calls for several parts with inter-
`and in other specialty areas.
`acting design parameters, the method of the invention
`Lithography is the art of reproducing graphic ob
`acting ‘design parameters, the method of the invention
`Lithography is the art of reproducing graphic ob-
`becomes even more useful because all of the part de
`jects, using various techniques. Modern examples in
`becomes even more useful because all of the part de-
`jects, using various techniques. Modern examples in-
`45
`signs can be quickly changed and made again so that the 45 clude photographic reproduction, xerography, and mi
`signs can be quickly changed and madeagain so that the
`clude photographic reproduction, xerography, and mi-
`total assembly can be made and examined, repeatedly if
`crolithography, as is used in the production of micro
`total assembly can be made and examined, repeatedly if
`crolithography, as is used in the production of micro-
`electronics. Computer generated graphics displayed on
`necessary.
`necessary.
`electronics. Computer generated graphics displayed on
`After the design is complete, part production can
`After the design is complete, part production can
`a plotter or a cathode ray tube are also forms of lithog
`a plotter or a cathode ray tube arealso forms of lithog-
`begin immediately, so that the weeks and months be
`raphy, where the image is a picture of a computer coded
`begin immediately, so that the weeks and months be-
`raphy, wherethe imageis a picture of a computer coded
`350
`object.
`tween design and production are avoided. Ultimate
`tween design and production are avoided. Ultimate
`object.
`50
`production rates and parts costs should be similar to
`Computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided
`production rates and parts costs should be similar to
`Computer aided design (CAD) and computeraided
`current injection molding costs for short run produc
`manufacturing (CAM) are techniques that apply the
`current injection molding costs for short run produc-
`manufacturing (CAM)are techniques that apply the
`abilities of computers to the processes of designing and
`tion, with even lower labor costs than those associated
`tion, with even lowerlabor costs than those associated
`abilities of computers to the processes of designing and
`with injection molding. Injection molding is economi
`manufacturing. A typical example of CAD is in the area
`with injection molding. Injection molding is economi-
`manufacturing. A typical example of CAD is in the area
`cal only when large numbers of identical parts are re
`of electronic printed circuit design, where a computer
`cal only when large numbers of identical parts are re-
`of electronic printed circuit design, where a computer
`55
`quired. Stereolithography is useful for short run pro
`quired. Stereolithography is useful for short run pro-
`and plotter draw the design of a printed circuit board,
`and plotter draw the design of a printed circuit board,
`duction because the need for tooling is eliminated and
`given the design parameters as computer data input. A
`duction because the need for tooling is eliminated and
`given the design parameters as computer data input. A
`production set-up time is minimal. Likewise, design
`typical example of CAM is a numerically controlled
`production set-up time is minimal. Likewise, design
`typical example of CAM is a numerically controlled
`changes and custom parts are easily provided using the
`changes and custom partsare easily provided using the
`milling machine, where a computer and a milling ma
`milling machine, where a computer and a milling ma-
`60
`technique. Because of the ease of making parts, stereoli
`chine produce metal parts, given the proper program
`technique. Becauseofthe ease of making parts, stereoli-
`chine produce metal parts, given the proper program-
`thography can allow plastic parts to be used in many
`thography can allow plastic parts to be used in many
`ming instructions. Both CAD and CAM are important
`ming instructions. Both CAD and CAM are important
`places where metal or other material parts are now
`and are rapidly growing technologies.
`places where metal or other material parts are now
`and are rapidly growing technologies.
`.
`used. Moreover, it allows plastic models of objects to be
`used. Moreover,it allows plastic models ofobjects to be
`A prime object of the present invention is to harness
`A prime object of the present invention is to harness
`quickly and economically provided, prior to the deci
`the principles of computer generated graphics, com
`quickly and economically provided, prior to the deci-
`the principles of computer generated graphics, com-
`65
`sion to make more expensive metal or other material
`sion to make more expensive metal or other material
`bined with UV curable plastic and the like, to simulta
`bined with UV curable plastic and thelike, to simulta-
`65
`parts.
`parts.
`neously execute CAD and CAM, and to produce three
`neously execute CAD and CAM,andto producethree-
`Hence, the stereolithographic apparatus of the pres
`dimensional objects directly from computer instruc
`Hence, the stereolithographic apparatus of the pres-
`dimensional objects directly from computer instruc-
`ent invention satisfies a long existing need for a CAD
`ent invention satisfies a long existing need for a CAD
`tions. This invention, referred to as stereolithography,
`tions. This invention, referred to as stereolithography,
`
`

`

`4,575,330
`4,575,330
`5
`6
`5
`6
`can be used to sculpture models and prototypes in a
`formed by changing the program controlling the
`can be used to sculpture models and prototypes in a
`formed by changing the program controlling the
`design phase of product development, or as a manufac
`stereolithographic system.
`design phase of product development, or as a manufac-
`stereolithographic system.
`turing device, or even as an art form.
`FIGS. 3-8 of the drawings illustrate various appara
`turing device, or even as.an art form.
`FIGS.3-8 of the drawingsillustrate various appara-
`Referring now to FIG. 1, the stereolithographic
`tus suitable for implementing the stereolithographic
`Referring now to FIG. 1,
`the stereolithographic
`tus suitable for implementing the stereolithographic
`method is broadly outlined. Step 10 in FIG. 1 calls for
`method is broadly outlined. Step 10 in FIG. 1 calls for
`methods illustrated and described by the flow charts of
`methodsillustrated and described by the flow charts of
`the generation of individual solid laminae representing
`FIGS.1 and 2.
`the generation of individual solid laminae represent