System and method for manufacturing articles using fluent material droplets

摘要

This invention defines a system and method for manufacturing three-dimensional articles from a design created on a CAD item. The article is made using particle deposition of a fluent material to a build-up on a servo assembly base. The fluent material is deposited in the form of droplets from a dispensing head of a head assembly by moving the assembly up and down in a reciprocating motion according to the three-dimensional design coordinator. A droplet of fluent material forms as the dispensing head moves downward and makes contact with the article being formed, as the head reaches its lowest position of travel. The surface tension and capillarity of the fluent material is used to form the mass and shape of the droplet at the top surface of the article as the dispensing is moved upwards. The size and shape of each droplet may also be controlled by the type of fluent material used as well as its temperature and pressure and the size of the dispensing head orifice.