A process for forming a three-dimensional article in sequential layers in accordance with a digital model of the article. The process comprises the steps of defining a layer of a first liquid, applying a second liquid to the first liquid layer in a pattern corresponding to the digital model, and repeating these steps to form succesive layers. The first liquid comprises a first active component and the second liquid includes a second active component capable of reacting with the first reactive component so that the article is built up in layers.

Three-dimensional printing

Disclosed is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus (10) that builds up three-dimensional objects in a heated build chamber (24) by dispensing modeling material from a dispensing head (14) onto a base (16) in a pattern determined by control signals from a controller (140). The motion control components (18, 20) of the apparatus (10) are external to and thermally isolated from the build chamber (24). A deformable thermal insulator (132) forms a ceiling of the build chamber, allowing motion control of the dispensing head (14) in an x, y plane by an x-y gantry (18) located outside of and insulated from the build chamber (24). In the preferred embodiment, a material receiving inlet (63) of the dispensing head (14) is external to the build chamber (24) as well, while a material dispensing outlet (66) of the dispensing head is inside thechamber. Thermal isolation of the motion control components from the build chamber allows the chamber to be maintained at a high temperature.

High temperature modeling apparatus

Solid free form fabrication techniques can be utilized indirectly to manufacture substrates, dies, models, near-net shapes, shells, and wax-ups that are then used in the manufacture of dental articles. Digital light processing is the most preferred indirect method for the production of substrates. After the substrates are produced, various coating or deposition techniques such as gel casting, slip casting, slurry casting, pressure infiltration, dipping, colloidal spray deposition or electrophoretic deposition are used to manufacture the dental article.

Solid free-form fabrication methods for the production of dental restorations

Various embodiments related to three dimensional printers, and reinforced filaments, and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a void free reinforced filament is fed into an extrusion nozzle. The reinforced filament includes a core, which may be continuous or semi-continuous, and a matrix material surrounding the core. The reinforced filament is heated to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of the matrix material and less than a melting temperature of the core prior to extruding the filament from the extrusion nozzle.

Methods for fiber reinforced additive manufacturing

An extrusion head (20) comprising at least one drive wheel (51) and an assembly (50) positionable between at least a first state and a second state. The assembly (50) comprises a first extrusion line (58) configured to engage the at least one drive wheel (51) while the assembly is positioned in the first state, and a second extrusion line (60) configured to engage the at least one drive wheel (51) while the assembly (50) is positioned in the second state.

Single-motor extrusion head having multiple extrusion lines

An improved extrusion-based manufacturing system includes one or more extruders, with each extruder containing at least two stages of increasing pressurization. In one of preferred embodiments, a first stage of pressurization is created by the motion of a solid wafer (314) of thermoplastic through an orifice (316) into a heater chamber (318), and a second stage of pressurization is provided by a conical viscosity pump (330), with extrusion material from the first stage pressurization maintaining a flow of thermoplastic fluid (320) through a communication channel (322) and fits into a rotary impeller (332) which a variable speed motor (336) rotates in a female collet (334) to drive the fluid extrusion material towards and out of a removable nozzle (338) and orifice (340) and all expected pump rates.

Robert R. Jackson

Papers

Method and apparatus for solid prototyping

Verfahren und vorrichtung zur festen prototypherstellung