Patent ID: 7906061

Claim:
A method for forming a three-dimensional object layer-by-layer comprising the steps of: a. receiving three-dimensional CAD data of an object to be built; b. processing the three-dimensional CAD data to receive cross-sectional image data representative of cross-sectional layers of the object; c. delivering a solidifiable liquid build material to an imaging area via a radiation transparent build material carrier having a first side and an opposing second side, wherein the radiation transparent build material carrier is reciprocatibly mounted about a plurality of rollers on a reciprocatible carriage that moves the radiation transparent build material carrier from a coating position to an application position, wherein the radiation transparent build material carrier forms an endless formation on the reciprocatible carriage; d. transferring at the application position the solidifiable liquid build material from the radiation transparent build material carrier to a receiving substrate wherein the solidifiable build material contacts the receiving substrate sequentially in order to avoid entrapment of air bubbles in the transferred solidifiable liquid build material; and e. projecting an image representative of cross-sectional image data from a radiation source through the radiation transparent build material carrier to selectively illuminate pixels in an image plane in a first exposure to selectively solidify the liquid build material.