Patent ID: 7771183

Claim:
Solid imaging apparatus for creating a build layer-by-layer, said apparatus comprising: a) a defined image plane; b) a build pad elevatingly disposed with respect to said defined image plane for supporting a build surface in and out of said image plane; c) at least one source of solid imaging build material; d) at least one first transport surface for alternately picking up a layer of solid imaging build material from said at least one source and delivering the layer of solid imaging build material to a build surface extending from said build pad; e) at least one source of solid imaging radiation for irradiating a two dimensional image on the build surface to which has been transferred the build material from said transport surface, thereby solidifying on the build surface in said image plane a layer of transferred solid imaging build material; f) at least one second transport surface for removing excess uncured build material from the build surface after the build surface has been irradiated with solid imaging radiation and before said first transport surface delivers a fresh layer of solid imaging build material to the build surface; g) a reciprocating carriage for alternately delivering said first and second transport surfaces to and away from the build surface on said build pad; and h) a controller in controlling communication with said apparatus, whereby a build is alternately coated and imaged with layers of solid imaging build material and cleaned of excess uncured build material.