| 摘要 |
This invention utilizes a novel application of inkjet technology for the express purpose of depositing precisely imaged and layered strata of rapidly catalyzed polymer thereby providing a new stereolithographic (three-dimensional) printing method. It is a stereolithic printing system utilizing x, y, and z axes to plot and deposit successive, additive layers of material up to a resolution of 1/10,000th of an inch in thickness or greater, wherein deposited materials are comprised of a two-part activated monomer or oligomer with an appropriate catalyst, to create fully dimensional objects at various sizes. An x/y two dimensional precisely deposited plane of liquid monomer, representing a cross section of the object to be rendered, is deposited from one ink jet reservoir onto a heat controlled platen by and ink jet dispenser at the same time as a catalyst is deposited selectively on top of the monomer layer by another ink jet dispensing head. As each layer has hardened imaged areas established, the platen is then lowered upon the z axis and the next successive layer of catalyzed material is likewise deposited atop the first. The catalyst is introduced simultaneously with monomer droplets and not onto a preexisting monomer reservoir. Dissolved metal salts which are caused to precipitate out of solution via drop application of reducing agent creates real metal three dimensional objects. Waste control, removal, and created object support methods are an integral part of this invention. Employing multiple sets of ink jet heads can be used to create strata of various different substrates assembling three-dimensional objects in multiple materials simultaneously in a dynamic form such as gaskets in place on a hard plastic object. In addition employing multiple sets of ink jet heads may include the use of process color tinted or pigmented sets of monomer and catalyst to create objects in full lifelike color, with true photographic detail, in either opaque or transparent substrates. Utilizing either four-color process with resolution control and either opaque or transparent base monomer creates a heretofore unavailable degree of color replication and is completely unique to this invention. Control of the droplet resolution settings provides the opportunity to first create a "rough" or lower resolution "draft" of an item before committing to the higher resolution finished item. Invention also employs a novel business method utilizing the internet for downloadable three dimensional article files for consumer printing. This machine, method and materials introduce a new low cost, high definition, high versatility method to create three dimensional objects, making this technology more readily available for the mass consumer as well as industry. |
