Patent ID: 7270528

Claim:
A selective deposition modeling apparatus for forming a three-dimensional object from a curable build material in a build environment, the apparatus receiving data corresponding to layers of the three-dimensional object, the apparatus comprising: a support platform, affixed to the apparatus for supporting the three-dimensional object in the build environment; a print head affixed to the apparatus and in communication with the support platform for selectively dispensing the curable build material and a non-curable support material, in the build environment according to the computer data to form the layers of the three-dimensional object, the curable build material including both a photocurable component and a non-photocurable wax component; a planarizer rotably and movably mounted to the apparatus and cooperative with the print head to smooth and normalize the layers dispensed by the print head; and a flash exposure device having an average power consumption level of less than about 1000 watts, said flash exposure device connected to the print head and in communication with the support platform for exposing the dispensed material in the build environment to at least one planar flash of radiation, the planar flash comprising a plurality of radiation emitting pulses to release an effective amount of free radicals from a photoinitiator to overcome oxygen inhibition and to initiate curing of the photocurable component in the dispensed curable build material.