Fast three-dimensional modeling method and device

(54) FAST THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING METHOD AND DEVICE

(75) Inventors: Andre-Luc Allanic, Nancy (FR);

Philippe Schaeffer, Atton (FR)

(73) Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc., Valencia, CA (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/914,712

(22) PCT Filed: Feb. 29, 2000

(86) PCT No.: PCT/FR00/00493

§ 371 (c)(1),

(2), (4) Date: Aug. 31, 2001

(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO00/51809 PCT Pub. Date: Sep. 8, 2000

(30) Foreign Application Priority Data

Mar. 1, 1999 (FR) 99 02719

(51) Int. CI.7 B05C 11/04; B05D 3/12;

B29C 35/08; B29C 41/02

(52) U.S. CI 264/401; 118/100; 118/120;

264/308; 425/174.4; 425/196; 425/375;

427/356

(58) Field of Search 264/308, 401;

425/174.4, 196, 375; 427/355, 356; 118/100,

120

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

5,474,719 A 12/1995 Fan et al 264/401

The invention concerns a fast three-dimensional modeling method comprising the following steps: a phase which consists in transforming the raw material in the work space (32) by means of a device inducing transformation (1); at least at one moment, a phase which consists in supplying non-transformed material, downstream of the doctor blade; a phase which consists in covering the transformed material (PI) with non-transformed material (MAT), which consists in moving the blade in a direction (F), driving in rotation about an axis a rolling member (26,27) whereon an extruded log of non-transformed raw material (28) is wound, arranging a pushing member (22) such that its proximal edge (23) coincides with the surface of said work space, and positioning said rolling member downstream of the pushing member, and opposite thereof, so as to channel the extruded log of non-tramsformed material towards a cavity formed between the proximal edge and the rolling member facing it.

33 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets