Patent ID: 6713125
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: B29C,B29K,B33Y

Abstract:
A method of altering the appearance of a three-dimensional object formed by a solid freeform fabrication apparatus, the three-dimensional object formed from a build material comprising at least one polymer component and having a surface and an internal volume, the method comprising the steps of:(a) applying a fluid medium to the three-dimensional object at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymer component, the fluid medium carrying an infiltration agent and permeating the three-dimensional object at a temperature above a glass transition temperature of the polymer component; (b) maintaining the application of the fluid medium to the three-dimensional object to allow the infiltration agent to penetrate the three-dimensional object and colorize the entire internal volume of the object to thereby establish a desired appearance of the three-dimensional object; and (c) terminating the application of the fluid medium carrying the infiltration agent to the three-dimensional object.