초록 ▼

A three-dimensional object is constituted by successive solid layers each formed by selectively exposing an unexposed layer of a photohardenable composition to actinic radiation. The unexposed layer of the photohardenable composition is formed on the flexible sheet belt. The flexible sheet belt is b

A three-dimensional object is constituted by successive solid layers each formed by selectively exposing an unexposed layer of a photohardenable composition to actinic radiation. The unexposed layer of the photohardenable composition is formed on the flexible sheet belt. The flexible sheet belt is brought into close and parallel relationship with a flat support surface of a base plate member facing downwardly, thereby laminating the unexposed layer of the photohardenable composition to the flat support surface of the base plate member of the solid layer previously formed. A positioning plate member is positioned in such a manner that the positioning plate member faces the base plate member through the flexible sheet belt and is brought into contact with the flexible sheet belt, so that the unexposed layer of the photohardenable composition is supported and positioned by the positioning plate member through the flexible sheet belt. The laminated unexposed layer of the photohardenable composition is selectively exposed to the actinic radiation through the positioning plate member and the flexible sheet belt to form a new solid layer and an unhardened layer of the photohardenable composition. After the positioning plate member is removed from the flexible sheet belt, the flexible sheet belt with the unhardened layer of the photohardenable composition is separated from the newly formed solid layer.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of fabricating a three-dimensional object which is constituted by successive solid layers each formed by selectively exposing an unexposed layer of a photohardenable composition to actinic radiation in a layer exposing area the unexposed layer of said photohardenable composition being forme

A method of fabricating a three-dimensional object which is constituted by successive solid layers each formed by selectively exposing an unexposed layer of a photohardenable composition to actinic radiation in a layer exposing area the unexposed layer of said photohardenable composition being formed in a layer forming area and then conveyed to said layer exposing area and said method comprising the steps of: a. preparing a flexible sheet belt transmissive to said actinic radiation a base plate member having a flat support surface facing downwardly, and a positioning plate member transmissive to said actinic radiation; b. forming the unexposed layer of said photohardenable composition on said flexible sheet belt in said layer forming area; c. moving said flexible sheet belt from said layer forming area toward said layer exposing area to convey the unexposed layer of said photohardenable composition on said flexible sheet belt from said layer forming area to said layer exposing area; d. bringing said flexible sheet belt into a close and parallel relationship with said flat support surface of said base plate member to laminate the unexposed layer of said photohardenable composition to said flat support surface of said base plate member or the solid layer previously formed; e. positioning said positioning plate member in such a manner that said positioning plate member faces said base plate member through said flexible sheet belt and is brought into contact with said flexible sheet belt, so that the unexposed layer of said photohardenable composition is supported and positioned by said positioning plate member through said flexible sheet belt; f. selectively exposing the unexposed layer of said photohardenable composition to said actinic radiation through said positioning plate member and said flexible sheet belt to form a new solid layer and an unhardened layer of said photohardenable composition; g. removing said positioning plate member from said flexible sheet belt; h. separating said flexible sheet belt with the unhardened layer of said photohardenable composition from the newly formed solid layer by progressively shifting the position of the turned portion of said flexible sheet belt from said the other end of said base plate member toward said one end of said base plate member, so that said flexible sheet belt with the unhardened layer of said photohardenable composition is separated from the newly formed solid layer; i. repeating said steps (b) to (h) until the three-dimensional object is formed by the solid layers; j. wherein said step of bringing said flexible sheet belt into relationship with said flat support surface to laminate the unexposed layer further comprises: (1) partly turning said flexible sheet belt in the vicinity of one end of said base plate member to have said flexible sheet belt formed with a turned portion; and (2) progressively shifting position of the turned portion of said flexible sheet belt from said one end of said base plate member toward the other end of said base plate member, so that the unexposed layer of said photohardenable composition is laminated to said flat support surface of said base plate member or the solid layer previously formed; (3) and wherein said step of separating said flexible sheet belt with the unhardened layer of said photohardenable composition from the newly formed solid layer comprises: (4) progressively shifting the position of the turned portion of said flexible sheet belt from said other end of said base plate member toward said one end of said base plate member, so that said flexible sheet belt with the unhardened layer of said photohardenable composition is separated from the newly formed solid layer.