Patent ID: 6153142
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: B29C,B29K,B33Y

Abstract:
A method of forming a three-dimensional object from a plurality of adhered laminae by exposing successive layers of a material to prescribed stimulation, comprising:providing a build environment in which to form the three-dimensional object; sensing the actual temperature of the build environment in at least one location during formation of the object;deriving a difference between the actual temperature and a desired temperature;supplying heat to the build environment via a heating element controlled by a modulated signal, the modulated signal turning the heat on and off according to a selected pulse width or duty cycle that varies in relation to the difference so as to substantially maintain the build environment within a predefined temperature range;forming a layer of material adjacent to any last formed layer of material in preparation for forming a subsequent lamina of the object;exposing the material to the prescribed stimulation to form a successive lamina of the object; andrepeating the acts of forming and exposing to form the object from a plurality of adhered laminae.