Patent US5286573A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5286573A
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Method and support structures for creation of objects by layer deposition
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-09-17
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Granted: 1994-02-15
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Expires: 2012-09-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved support structure is provided in a method for making objects by the incremental build-up of layers of a deposition material and adjacent support material. The improved support structure includes a first material and a second material placed as a coating upon the first material. The deposition material, first material and second material each preferably have a selected melting point such that the first material melting point is lower than the deposition material melting point and such that the second material melting point is greater than the first material melting point.
Inventors
- 👤 Fritz Prinz
- 👤 Lee Weiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:23
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22F; B22F3/00; B22F3/115; B22F10/00; B22F10/20; B22F10/25; B22F10/40; B22F10/43; B22F10/60; B22F10/64; B29; B29C; B29C64/00; B29C64/10; B29C64/141; B29C64/40; B33; B33Y; B33Y10/00; B22F10/50; B33Y80/00; G; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/49; G05B2219/49011; G05B2219/49016; G05B2219/49039; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/25; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49885; Y10T29/4998; Y10T29/49982; Y10T29/49986; Y10T29/49988; Y10T29/49989; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31533
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A support structure for use in the manufacture of three-dimensional objects formed from a deposition material by incremental build-up of layers of deposition material layers and adjacent support structure layers, the support structure comprised of a plurality of layers, each support structure layer having at least one article face shaped such that a combination of all article faces defines an object to be manufactured, at least one of the support structure layers comprising: (a) a first material; and (b) a coating of a second material placed upon the first material in a manner so that at least a portion of the coating is adjacent to an article face wherein the deposition, material first material and the second material are selected to permit the manufacture of the three-dimensional objects by incremental build-up of layers of deposition material and the support structure and at least a portion of the support structure is removable from a manufactured three-dimensional object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A support structure for use in the manufacture of three-dimensional objects formed from a deposition material by incremental build-up of layers of deposition material layers and adjacent support structure layers, the support structure comprised of a plurality of layers, each support structure layer having at least one article face shaped such that a combination of all article faces defines an object to be manufactured, at least one of the support structure layers comprising: (a) a first material; and (b) a coating of a second material placed upon the first material in a manner so that at least a portion of the coating is adjacent to an article face wherein the deposition, material first material and the second material are selected to permit the manufacture of the three-dimensional objects by incremental build-up of layers of deposition material and the support structure and at least a portion of the support structure is removable from a manufactured three-dimensional object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The support structure of claim 1 wherein each of the deposition material layers, the first material and the second material respectively have a deposition material melting point, a first material melting point and a second material melting point, wherein the first material melting point is lower than the deposition material melting point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The support structure of claim 2 wherein the second material melting point is greater than the first material melting point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The support structure of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the support structure is removed after the object is completed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The support structure of claim 1 wherein the first material is a ceramic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The support structure of claim 1 wherein the second material is the same material as the deposition material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The support structure of claim 1 wherein the deposition material layers are metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The support structure of claim 7 wherein the deposition material is applied by weld deposition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The support structure of claim 7 wherein the first material is one of a tin-zinc alloy and a tin-bismuth alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The support structure of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first material and the second material is applied by thermal spray deposition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The support structure of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the second material forms a coating around at least a portion of the manufactured three-dimensional object.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-14 | 1997-08-16 | 1998-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-14 | 2001-08-16 | 2002-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-14 | 2005-08-16 | 2006-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |