Hop Thi Nguyen

US Patent:

6048487, Apr 11, 2000

Filed:

Apr 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/286213

Inventors:

Thomas A. Almquist - San Gabriel CA
Charles W. Hull - Santa Clarita CA
Borzo Modrek - Montebello CA
Paul F. Jacobs - La Crescenta CA
Charles W. Lewis - Sherman Oaks CA
Adam L. Cohen - Los Angeles CA
Stuart T. Spence - So. Pasadena CA
Hop D. Nguyen - Littlerock CA
Mark A. Lewis - Valencia CA
Abraham Liran - Northridge CA
Dennis R. Smalley - Baldwin Park CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B29C 3508
B29C 4102
B29C 4152

US Classification:

264401

Abstract:

Improved apparatus and methods for forming a layer of material over a surface of a previously-formed cross-section of a three-dimensional object in anticipation of forming a next cross-section of the object out of the layer. A volume of material, including at least some excess material, is placed over the surface, and the excess material is swept off by placing the excess material in the predetermined path of a sweeping member, the path being substantially in a plane spaced from a working surface of material. The member may be directed to sweep the excess material away through a successive number of sweeps, which may vary for each cross-section, at least a velocity which may vary for each sweep. Additionally, the clearance between the member and the surface of the previous cross-section may vary for each sweep. A "winged" member is also provided, comprising two legs extending from a base, and a "Trident" embodiment is also provided, comprising three legs extending from a base.

US Patent:

56519346, Jul 29, 1997

Filed:

Mar 13, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/402553

Inventors:

Thomas A. Almquist - San Gabriel CA
Charles W. Hull - Santa Clarita CA
Borzo Modrek - Montebello CA
Paul F. Jacobs - La Crescenta CA
Charles W. Lewis - Sherman Oaks CA
Adam L. Cohen - Los Angeles CA
Stuart T. Spence - S. Pasadena CA
Hop D. Nguyen - Littlerock CA

Assignee:

3D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B29C 3508
B29C 4102

US Classification:

264401

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for stereolithographically forming a three-dimensional object includes a vessel for holding a building material and a smoothing member for forming a uniform coating over a previously formed layer of the object. The smoothing member has a plurality of blades. The smoothing member is swept over a previously formed layer of the object, in at least two directions. Different clearances between the lower surface of the smoothing member and the upper surface of the previously formed layer are used to provide a uniform coating for a subsequent layer over the previously formed layer. The sweeping velocity of the smoothing member can be varied. Retractable needles are attached to the smoothing member for adjusting a blade gap between a lower surface of the smoothing member and the surface of the building material.

US Patent:

58913823, Apr 6, 1999

Filed:

Dec 17, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/767695

Inventors:

Thomas A. Almquist - San Gabriel CA
Charles W. Hull - Santa Clarita CA
Borzo Modrek - Montebello CA
Paul F. Jacobs - La Crescenta CA
Charles W. Lewis - Sherman Oaks CA
Adam L. Cohen - Los Angeles CA
Stuart T. Spence - S. Pasadena CA
Hop D. Nguyen - Littlerock CA
Mark A. Lewis - Valencia CA
Abraham Liran - Northridge CA
Dennis R. Smalley - Baldwin Park CA

Assignee:

3D System, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B29C 3508
B29C 4102
B29C 4152

US Classification:

264401

Abstract:

Improved apparatus and methods for forming a layer of material over a surface of a previously-formed cross-section of a three-dimensional object in anticipation of forming a next cross-section of the object out of the layer. A volume of material, including at least some excess material, is placed over the surface, and the excess material is swept off by placing the excess material in the predetermined path of a sweeping member, the path being substantially in a plane spaced from a working surface of material. The member may be directed to sweep the excess material away through a successive number of sweeps, which may vary for each cross-section, at least a velocity which may vary for each sweep. Additionally, the clearance between the member and the surface of the previous cross-section may vary for each sweep. A "winged" member is also provided, comprising two legs extending from a base, and a "Trident" embodiment is also provided, comprising three legs extending from a base.

US Patent:

50593595, Oct 22, 1991

Filed:

Apr 18, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/182830

Inventors:

Charles W. Hull - Arcadia CA
Stuart T. Spence - South Pasadena CA
David J. Albert - Saratoga CA
Dennis R. Smalley - Baldwin Park CA
Richard A. Harlow - Malibu CA
Phil Steinbaugh - Mountain View CA
Harry L. Tarnoff - Van Nuys CA
Hop D. Nguyen - Littlerock CA
Charles W. Lewis - Van Nuys CA
Tom J. Vorgitch - Simi Valley CA
David Z. Remba - Studio City CA

Assignee:

3 D Systems, Inc. - Valencia CA

International Classification:

B29C 3508
B29C 6700

US Classification:

264 22

Abstract:

An improved sterolithography system for generating a three-dimensional object by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed at a selected surface of a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state in response to appropriate synergistic stimulation by impinging radiation, particle bombardment or chemical reaction, information defining the object being specially processed to reduce curl and distortion, and increase resolution, strength, accuracy, speed and economy of reproduction even for rather difficult object shapes, and successive adjacent laminae, representing corresponding successive adjacent cross-sections of the object, being automatically formed and integrated together to provide a step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object, whereby a three-dimensional object is formed and drawn from a substantially planar surface of the fluid medium during the forming process.