Patent US1842295A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0470705A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three dimensional modeling
Assignee: Cubital Ltd
•
Filing: 1991-07-08
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2011-07-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model including apparatus for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material in a selectable configuration and apparatus for curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Inventors
- 👤 Nissan Cohen
- 👤 Gill Barequet
- 👤 Barry Ben-Ezra
- 👤 Yehoshua Dollberg
- 👤 Shalev Gilad
- 👤 Varda Herskowits
- 👤 Itzik Pomerantz
- 👤 Benhamin Sas
- 👤 Yehoshua Sheinman
- 👤 Mark Shlick
- 👤 Michael Wasserstein
- 👤 Nachshon Yeshurun
- 👤 Daniel Barnea
- 👤 Herbert Meininger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:33
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C64/00; B29C64/40; B29C64/10; B29C64/106; B29C64/124; B29C64/129; B29C64/188; G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/22; G03G15/225; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/49; G05B2219/49015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material in a selectable configuration; and means for curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and also comprising means for applying a support material at certain locations of each layer which are not filled by photopolymer prior to deposition onto said layer of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
41 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of: depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material in a selectable configuration; and curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 4 and also comprising the step of: applying a support material at certain locations of each layer which are not filled by photopolymer prior to deposition onto said layer of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; and means for image-wise curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said means for curing includes means for initially curing said layer at interior locations of images and . subsequently curing said layer at peripheral locations of said images.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 and wherein said means for initially curing comprises: means for applying a relatively coarse, relatively high power beam of ultraviolet illumination at regions away from edges of the image; and means for subsequently applying a relatively well focussed, relatively low power beam of laser radiation to regions of the layer adjacent the edges.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of: depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; and curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said step of curing includes the steps of initially curing said layer at interior locations thereof and subsequently curing said layer at exterior locations thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 9 and wherein said step of initially curing comprises the steps of: applying a relatively coarse, relatively high power beam of ultraviolet illumination at regions away from edges of the layer; and subsequently applying a relatively well focussed, relatively low power beam of laser radiation to regions of the layer adjacent the edges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
113 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; means for curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof by exposing each layer of the photopolymer material through a mask defining a layered section of an object to be modeled, superimposed upon a grid pattern, and wherein the means for curing includes: computer means for generating a layer by layer raster pattern parallel to a first axis of each layer; and hardware plotter driver means receiving said raster pattern and decoding it to define first grid lines along said first axis and adding thereto second grid lines along a second axis, thereby to define said grid pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus for producing a grid pattern comprising: computer means for generating a layer by layer raster pattern parallel to a first axis; and hardware plotter driver means receiving said raster pattern and decoding it to define first grid lines along said first axis and adding thereto second grid lines along a second axis, thereby to define said grid pattern.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; and curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof by exposing each layer of the photopolymer material through a mask defining a layered section of an object to be modeled superimposed upon a grid comprising first grid lines, and wherein the step of curing includes the steps of: computer generating a layer by layer raster pattern parallel to a first axis of each layer; and receiving the raster pattern and decoding it to define the first grid lines along the first axis and adding thereto second grid lines along a second axis, thereby to define a grid pattern.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; means for exposing the photopolymer material to define selectable configuration; and means for curing the exposed portion of each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said means for exposing comprises means for directing illumination through a mask including a relatively low resolution, programmable erasable portion associated with a relatively high resolution non-erasable film portion.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; exposing the photopolymer material to define selectable configuration; and curing the exposed portion of each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said step of exposing comprises the step of directing illumination through a mask including a relatively low resolution, programmable erasable portion associated with a relatively high resolution non-erasable film portion
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus for removing toner from a surface comprising: a rotatable cleaning blade having a first operative orientation in engagement with a surface to be cleaned and a second operative orientation for being cleaned; and a blade cleaning brush operatively engaging said cleaning blade when it is in its second operative orientation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
Powder toner development apparatus comprising: at least one magnetic roller arranged to pick up powder toner; doctor blade apparatus arranged in near touching arrangement with the at least one roller along an elongate engagement location and lying in a plane which defines an acute angle with the upstream tangent of the roller at the engagement location.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 and wherein said doctor blade apparatus is resilient and applies a positive force to toner on said at least one roller at said elongate engagement location.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said at least one roller comprises at least first and second rollers, wherein said first roller supplies toner to said second roller and said doctor blade apparatus comprises first and second doctor blades in operative engagement with said first and second rollers and respective first and second elongate engagement locations and wherein said first doctor blade lies closer to said first roller at said first engagement location than said second doctor blade lies with respect to said second roller at said second engagement location and wherein said second roller has a surface velocity slower than the surface velocity of said first roller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said at least one roller comprises at least first and second rollers, wherein said first roller supplies toner to said second roller and said doctor blade apparatus comprises first and second doctor blades in operative engagement with said first and second rollers and respective first and second elongate engagement locations and wherein said first doctor blade lies closer to said first roller at said first engagement location than said second doctor blade lies with respect to said second roller at said second engagement location and wherein said second roller has a surface velocity slower than the surface velocity of said first roller.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A cleaning unit for removing toner from a surface comprising: a cleaning brush; a magnetic roller arranged to remove toner from the cleaning brush; and a scraper blade which is magnetically urged against the magnetic roller for removing toner from the magnetic roller.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; and means for curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said means for depositing includes means for selectably forming a diagnostic layer and also comprising: means for analyzing the diagnostic layer; and means for removing the diagnostic layer before subsequent deposition of other layers.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of: depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said step of depositing includes the step of selectably forming a diagnostic layer, and wherein the method also comprises the steps of: analyzing the diagnostic layer; and removing the diagnostic layer before subsequent deposition of other layers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; means for curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and optical inspection means for visually inspecting each layer as it is formed.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
42 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and optically inspecting each layer as it is formed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; and means for curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said means for curing includes: means for initially partially curing the photopolymer layer to provide a partially cured photopolymer layer; means for removing uncured material from the partially cured photopolymer layer; and means for thereafter finally curing the photopolymer layer.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of: depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; and curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said step of curing includes the steps of: initially partially curing the photopolymer layer to provide a partially cured photopolymer layer; removing uncured material from the partially cured photopolymer layer; and thereafter finally curing the photopolymer layer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; and means for curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and means for providing a visually sensible indication on each layer.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of: depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; and curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and providing a visually sensible indication on each layer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
108 words
A linear encoder comprising: a threaded shaft arranged so as to rotate and cause linear displacement of an object whose linear displacement along a linear trajectory is to be monitored; a rotary encoder associated with the threaded shaft for providing a first output indication of the linear displacement of the object by measuring rotation of the threaded shaft; and a linear encoder whose travel is significantly shorter than the linear trajectory operative to be engaged in a selected portion of the linear trajectory and independently measure the distance between the object and a reference location, thereby providing a second output indication of the linear displacement of the object.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; means for curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; means for applying a support material at certain locations of each layer which are not filled by photopolymer prior to deposition onto said layer of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, wherein said support material is a solidifiable material; and cooling plate means arranged for planar engagement with the layer after application of said support material, for cooling and thus solidifying the solidifiable material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 32 and wherein said solidifying plate means includes an outer, passive contact plate portion having a relatively low thermal inertia and an inner, active plate portion having a relatively high thermal inertia.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; means for curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; means for applying a support material at certain locations of each layer which are not filled by photopolymer prior to deposition onto said layer of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, wherein said support material is a sintered powder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.