John Eric Larsen

US Patent:

57175993, Feb 10, 1998

Filed:

Oct 19, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/326015

Inventors:

Herbert E. Menhennett - Easley SC
Jon N. Leonard - Greenville SC
John R. Larsen - Easley SC
Robert B. Brown - Duncan SC
Manual M. Ferreira - Simpsonville SC
William B. Barlage - Easley SC
Charles F. Kirschman - Central SC

Assignee:

BPM Technology, Inc. - Greenville SC

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

36446825

Abstract:

A three-dimensional article making apparatus includes a build material dispenser positioned adjacent a platform for ejecting a plurality of droplets of build material; and dispenser positioners for relatively positioning the dispenser in five degrees of freedom with respect to the platform. Accordingly, the dispenser may be rotated and flipped to permit construction of a cantilevered portion of an article without requiring support material. The dispenser positioners include a Z-direction positioner for positioning the dispenser vertically relative to the platform, an X-Y positioner for positioning the dispenser in an X-Y planar direction relative to the platform, a flip angle positioner for rotatably positioning the dispenser relative to a generally horizontal axis, and a phi angle positioner for rotatably positioning the dispenser relative to a generally vertical axis. A processor is operatively connected to the dispenser and the dispenser positioners for advancing the dispenser along a predetermined path of travel while operating or firing the dispenser to construct the three-dimensional article in successive layers or portions based upon the article defining data. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.