Patent ID: 8486490

Claim:
A method of producing a three-dimensionally shaped object having a plurality of solidified layers laminated one above another, comprising: applying a stress to a substrate by forming the substrate into a bent shape having a downwardly bent peripheral portion and then fixing the substrate to a rigid table so that the top surface of the substrate becomes substantially planar; forming a powder layer by feeding a powdery material to the top surface of the substrate; forming a solidified layer by irradiating a light beam on a specified portion of the powder layer to sinter or melt the specified portion of the powder layer; and repeating the powder layer forming step and the solidified layer forming step to produce a three-dimensionally shaped object having a plurality of solidified layers laminated one above another; wherein a bending moment caused by a thermal stress generated in the substrate during the layers formation is offset by the bending moment caused by the stress applied to the substrate from forming the substrate into the bent shape, thereby a substantially planar surface is achieved between the substrate and the solidified layers.