Stereolithographic apparatus

Abstract

An improved stereolithography apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects using multiple chambered resin vats and a quick disconnect mounting system to permit concurrent use of multiple photopolymer build materials and easy change over of resin vats is disclosed. The apparatus permits easy change over from multiple chambered vat use to single chamber vat use and vice versa or change over between multiple chambered vats.

1 . An apparatus for forming three dimensional objects from solidifiable liquid material in response to energy applied to a working surface of the material comprising: 
 a. a frame;    b. a source of energy mounted to the frame for applying energy to the solidifiable liquid material;    c. a container for holding the solidifiable liquid material mounted to the frame, the container having multiple chambers for holding separate solidifiable liquid materials;    d. a data source to supply data representative of the three-dimensional objects to the apparatus;    e. a data processing apparatus connected to the apparatus to receive the data representative of the three-dimensional objects and convert the data into layer data format that is processed to form layer data used by the apparatus to control the source of energy to apply energy to the solidifiable liquid material to stimulate a change from a liquid to a solid layer by layer to form the three dimensional object;    f. a support platform on which the three dimensional objects are formed for each chamber in the container connected to the apparatus and movably supported within each chamber; and    g. elevator assembly supporting each support platform in each chamber for raising and lowering the support platform in each chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according the  claim 1  further comprising at least two chambers in the container for holding the solidifiable liquid material.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according the  claim 1  wherein the elevator assembly comprises a supporting frame connected to elevator legs, the legs being removably fastened to the apparatus.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the elevator legs are removably fastened to a mounting plate connected to the frame and associated with each chamber, the mounting plate having a locking lever pivotally mounted thereto movable between a locked position contacting and holding the elevator assembly and an unlocked position in which the elevator assembly can be removed from the mounting plate.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the elevator assembly further comprises a locking bar connecting two spaced apart elevator legs, the elevator legs extending vertically upwardly from the elevator assembly supporting frame.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein each mounting plate has support pins extending horizontally outwardly therefrom.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the elevator legs for each elevator assembly further have a recess into which the mounting plate support pins fit to provide movable hanging support until the locking lever is moved to the locked position and the elevator legs are securely fastened in unmoving fashion.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  further comprising the multiple chambers being individually removable from the apparatus.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  further comprising the source of energy selectively supplying UV or visible light to the solidifiable liquid material.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  further comprising the source of energy being a UV laser or a visible light digital light projector.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  further comprising the solidifiable liquid material being a photopolymer resin.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  further comprising each chamber holding a different solidifiable liquid material.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for forming three dimensional objects from solidifiable liquid material layer by layer in response to energy applied to a working surface of the material, the improvement comprising multiple solidifiable liquid material containing chambers for concurrently forming three dimensional objects, the chambers being removably fastened to the apparatus and releasable from the apparatus by at least one quick release lever to permit individual or multiple chamber removal and replacement.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according the  claim 13  further comprising support platforms within each chamber on which the three dimensional objects are formed, the support platforms being supported by elevatable elevator assemblies removably connected to the apparatus and releasable by the at least one quick release lever.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according the  claim 14  further comprising each elevator assembly having at least one elevator leg removably connected to the apparatus via a mounting plate to which the at least one locking lever is pivotally mounted, the at least one locking lever being moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position in which the elevator assembly can be removed from the apparatus to permit individual or multiple chamber removal.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according the  claim 15  further comprising each elevator assembly having a locking bar connecting two spaced apart elevator legs, the elevator legs extending vertically upwardly from an elevator assembly supporting frame, the locking bar further being contacted by the locking lever in the locked position to retain the elevator assembly in position.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16  further comprising each mounting plate being associated with a chamber and having support pins extending horizontally therefrom and onto which the elevator legs hangingly are supported in movable fashion until the locking lever is moved to the locked position and the elevator legs are securely fastened in unmoving fashion.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17  further comprising the energy being UV light or visible light.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18  further comprising the solidifiable liquid material being a photopolymer resin.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according the  claim 19  further comprising each chamber holding a different photopolymer resin.