Method of and apparatus for making a three-dimensional object

摘要

To make a three-dimensional object, an optical beam is first irradiated on a predetermined portion of a powder layer to form a sintered layer, which is then covered with a new powder layer. The optical beam is again irradiated on a predetermined portion of the new powder layer to form another sintered layer that has been united with the underlying sintered layer. These processes are repeatedly carried out to form a plurality of sintered layers united together, which have a size greater than that of a target shape of the three-dimensional object. A surface region of a shaped object formed by then is removed during the formation of the plurality of sintered layers.