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 forming a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material, comprising:
a solidification energy source; a linear scanning device in optical communication with the solidification energy source; and a solidification energy sensor in optical communication with the linear scanning device; wherein the linear scanning device is spaced apart from the solidification energy source and the solidification energy sensor by a fixed distance and scans solidification energy received from the solidification energy source in a plurality of linear patterns along a source of the solidifiable material while the linear scanning device moves in a first direction, each linear pattern has a length along a second direction, and the solidification energy sensor receives solidification energy from the solidification energy source each time the linear scanning device scans a linear pattern of solidification energy along the source of the solidifiable material.