Patent ID: 6158346
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: B22F,B29C,B33Y,G03G,Y02P,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for creating an object through use of plural deposited layers of a first particulate on a substrate, said method employing a two dimensional electrode panel, a control computer connected to said electrode panel and at least a first particulate receptacle, said method comprising the steps of:a) providing relative movement between said electrode panel and said first particulate receptacle to juxtaposition said electrode panel to said at least first particulate receptacle, said electrode panel comprising a two dimensional array of individual electrodes each being separately electronically addressable for generating, in response to an applied voltage, a localized electrostatic field;b) applying address voltages to an image pattern of selected electrodes of said electrode panel so as to attract first particulate to said selected electrodes;c) providing relative movement between said electrode panel and said substrate to juxtaposition said electrode panel to said substrate;d) applying release potentials to said selected electrodes of said electrode panel so as to release said first particulate therefrom and to deposit said first particulate onto said substrate;e) fixing said first particulate onto said substrate; andf) repeating steps a)-e) so as to deposit additional, at least partially superposed, layers of said first particulate onto said substrate until a desired three dimensional device, comprising multiple layers of said first particulate material, is formed.