Patent ID: 7931851
Filing Date: 2011-04-26
Classification: B29C,B33Y

Abstract:
1. A stereolithographic method for forming a stereolithographic three-dimensional object by sequentially repeating, until a predetermined stereolithographic three-dimensional object is formed, optical building processes of exposing a surface of a photocurable resin composition layer by way of a planar plotting mask to thus form an optically-cured resin layer having a predetermined cross-sectional profile pattern; applying a photocurable resin composition layer over the optically-cured resin layer; and exposing the surface of the photocurable resin composition layer to light by way of the planar plotting mask, to thus further form an optically-cured resin layer having a predetermined cross-sectional profile pattern, the method comprising: using a planar plotting mask, which can continuously change a mask image, as the planar plotting mask; performing a building operation of continuously moving the planar plotting mask over plotted areas on the surface of the photocurable resin composition layer such that overlaps are formed between adjacent ones of the plotted areas during at least one of the optical building processes and of exposing the surface of the photocurable resin composition layer to light by way of the planar plotting mask while continuously changing a mask image of the planar plotting mask in accordance with a cross-sectional profile pattern of an optically-cured resin layer to be formed and in synchronism with movement of the planar plotting mask, to thus form an optically-cured resin layer having a predetermined cross-sectional profile pattern; and performing the optical building processes such that a computer is utilized to generate mask images to attenuate a visual noticeability of the overlaps between the adjacent plotted areas in the optically-cured resin layer in a finally-obtained stereolithographic three-dimensional object by making a total intensity of light radiated onto the overlaps between the adjacent plotted areas in the optically-cured resin layer equal or analogous to the intensity of light radiated onto areas other than the overlaps.