Patent ID: 7467939

Claim:
A solid imaging system with a solidifiable liquid build material that layer-by-layer forms a three-dimensional object form cross-sectional data, comprising in combination: a. a frame; b. a solidifiable liquid build material dispenser connected to the frame having an opening through which the build material is dispensed; c. an endless flexible build material carrier rotatably mounted to the frame, the carrier having a first side and opposing second side between a first edge and an opposing second edge, the first side receiving liquid build material in a fluid wedge from the build material dispenser; d. a radiation source mounted on the frame effective upon activation to selectively solidify the liquid build material; e. a radiation modulating device to selectively illuminate pixels in each layer of the three-dimensional object to solidify the build material; and f. build material carrier tensioning means mounted to the frame controlling the tension in the build material carrier as the build material carrier rotates about a predetermined path past the opening in the build material dispenser effective to control the fluid wedge so that less tension creates a thicker layer of build material received by the build material carrier and increased tension creates a thinner layer of build material received by the build material carrier.