Patent ID: 8119053

Claim:
A method of generating an object assembled from a plurality of cross sections, the method comprising the steps of: generating a layer comprising sinterable powder on a first surface, wherein the layer comprises a bulk layer of sinterable powder from which one or more of said cross sections is imaged; generating a sintered image using a radiant energy source configured to fuse at least a portion of the layer of sinterable powder while on the first surface; removing unsintered powder from the first surface; and transferring the sintered image from the first surface to the object being assembled, wherein the object is supported by a lift, wherein transferring the sintered image comprises pressing the object against the sintered image to provide a substantially uniform pressure across the sintered image being transferred to the object, wherein transferring the sintered image from the first surface to the object being assembled comprises transferring the sintered image from a drum to the object supported by a lift, wherein removing unsintered powder comprises removing the unsintered powder after generating the sintered image and before transferring the sintered image.