Patent ID: 6132667
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: B29C,B29K,B33Y,G03F

Abstract:
A stereolithographic method of forming a three-dimensional object from a plurality of adhered laminae by exposing successive layers of a material to a beam of prescribed stimulation, comprising;(a) providing a pulsed beam of prescribed stimulation, having a pulse repetition rate, a desired beam diameter, and a desired beam power for use in exposing each vector in a given set of vectors;(b) providing a plurality of vector types in the set of vectors for exposing layers of material;(c) providing a desired maximum scan speed for at least one vector type in the set;(d) deriving a top scan speed based on the pulse repetition rate and beam diameter;(e) resetting, to the top scan speed, any desired maximum scan speed provided in (c) that exceeds the top scan speed;(f) using each maximum scan speed as reset in (e) or as remaining from that provided in (c) to derive a maximum laser power;(g) setting the desired beam power to an amount equal to or less than the smallest maximum laser power derived in (f);(h) forming a layer of material adjacent to any last formed layer of material in preparation for forming a subsequent lamina of the object;(i) exposing the layer to the beam of prescribed stimulation having the desired beam power under the control of the set of vectors; and(j) repeating the acts of forming and exposing a plurality of times in order to form the object from a plurality of adhered laminae.