APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS USING LINEAR SOLIDIFICATION

摘要

An apparatus and method for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material using a linear solidification device is shown and described. In certain examples, the linear solidification device includes a laser diode that projects light onto a scanning device, such as a rotating polygonal mirror or a linear scanning micromirror, which then deflects the light onto a photohardenable resin. As a result, the linear solidification device scans a line of solidification energy in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the laser diode. In other examples, the linear solidification device is a laser device array or light emitting diode array that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the array.

主权项

1. An apparatus for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material, comprising:
a linear solidification device that is movable along a first axis and operable to progressively solidify the solidifiable material along a second axis while moving along the first axis; and a vacuum blade having a length extending along the second axis and which is operatively connected to the linear solidification device such that when the linear solidification device moves along the first axis, the vacuum blade moves along the first axis.