초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for the accurate formation of a three-dimensional article comprises providing a supply of substantially uniform size droplets of a desired material wherein each droplet has a positive or negative charge. The supply of droplets is focused or aligned into a narrow stream by pass

A method and apparatus for the accurate formation of a three-dimensional article comprises providing a supply of substantially uniform size droplets of a desired material wherein each droplet has a positive or negative charge. The supply of droplets is focused or aligned into a narrow stream by passing the droplets through or adjacent an alignment means which repels each droplet toward an axis extending through the alignment means. The droplets are deposited in a predetermined pattern at a predetermined rate onto a target to form the three-dimensional article without a mold of the shape of the three-dimensional article. A supply of support material is provided in a predetermined pattern adjacent the deposited droplets. The support material receives a further supply of droplets which form a part of the three-dimensional article.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for accurate formation of a free-form three-dimensional article without use of a mold of a three-dimensional article, the method comprising: providing a supply of substantially uniform size droplets of a desired metal material, each droplet having a positive or negative charge, aligning eac

A method for accurate formation of a free-form three-dimensional article without use of a mold of a three-dimensional article, the method comprising: providing a supply of substantially uniform size droplets of a desired metal material, each droplet having a positive or negative charge, aligning each droplet in the supply of droplets into a substantially narrow stream, the droplets being aligned by allowing the droplets to pass adjacent or through at least one alignment means having the same charge as the droplets wherein the alignment means repels each droplet toward an axis extending through the alignment means, depositing each of the aligned droplets in a predetermined pattern at a predetermined rate onto a target or a newly formed layer of the three-dimensional article to form the three-dimensional article, providing a supply of a support material in a predetermined pattern adjacent the deposited droplets for each layer, and thereafter providing a further supply of droplets of the desired metal material onto the support material wherein the support material allows such further deposition of the droplets of the desired metal material to form at least a portion of the three-dimensional article, and removing said support material to form the three-dimensional article.