Patent ID: 7077638

Claim:
An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional object in successive layers from a build material and a support material on a supporting platform in accordance with data defining the object, comprising: a dispenser mounted on the apparatus, a controller mounted on the apparatus and connected to the dispenser for controlling relative movement of the dispenser and the platform, the controller causing the build material to be dispensed according to a build style and the support material to be dispensed according to a support style, the build style specifying and forming the object with supports selected one from the group consisting of checkerboard supports, column supports, arch supports, line supports and combinations thereof; the dispenser having a plurality of orifices extending in a direction angled to a scan direction and being selectively activatable in accord with data supplied to the dispenser relating to the formation of each layer; and a source of flowable build material and flowable support material connected to the dispenser for selective deposition from the orifices thereof onto the supporting platform, at least the flowable build material further being a radiation-curable material.