Modelling Plate for a Stereolithography Machine, Stereolithography Machine Using Said Modelling Plate and Tool for Cleaning Said Modelling Plate

Abstract

The invention is a modelling plate ( 6; 6′; 6 ″) for a stereolithography machine ( 1 ) suited to produce three-dimensional objects (A) through superimposition of a plurality of layers (E) with predefined thickness of a liquid substance ( 3 ) that solidifies when subjected to a selective stimulation ( 4 ). The plate ( 6; 6′; 6 ″) comprises a work surface ( 7 ) that supports the object (A) and grooves ( 8 ) made in the work surface ( 7 ) along a development trajectory (X).

1 ) Modelling plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″) for a stereolithography machine ( 1 ) suited to produce three-dimensional objects (A) through superimposition of a plurality of layers (E) with predefined thickness of a liquid substance ( 3 ) suited to solidify when subjected to a selective stimulation ( 4 ), said plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″) comprising a work surface ( 7 ) suited to support said object (A), characterized in that it comprises at least one groove ( 8 ) made in said work surface ( 7 ) along a development trajectory (X). 
     
     
         2 ) Plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″) according to  claim 1 ), characterized in that the depth ( 9 ) of said groove ( 8 ) exceeds the predefined thickness of said layers (E). 
     
     
         3 ) Plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″) according to  claim 1 ) or  2 ), characterized in that said groove ( 8 ) extends to the perimeter edge of said work surface ( 7 ) so as to have at least one open end at the level of the lateral surface of said plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″). 
     
     
         4 ) Plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″) according to  claim 3 ), characterized in that said groove ( 8 ) has both ends open at the level of said lateral surface of said plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″). 
     
     
         5 ) Plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said groove ( 8 ) has a uniform cross section ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11 ″) along said development trajectory (X). 
     
     
         6 ) Plate ( 6 ′) according to  claim 5 ), characterized in that said cross section ( 11 ′) has at least one area ( 12 ) whose width exceeds the width ( 10 ) of said cross section ( 11 ′) at the level of said work surface ( 7 ). 
     
     
         7 ) Plate ( 6 ″) according to  claim 5 ) or  6 ), characterized in that the profile of said cross section ( 11 ″) has a recess ( 13 ) on at least one of the side edges of said cross section ( 11 ″). 
     
     
         8 ) Plate ( 6 ,  6 ′,  6 ″) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said grooves ( 8 ) parallel to each other. 
     
     
         9 ) Stereolithography machine ( 1 ) for the production of three-dimensional objects, comprising:
 a tank ( 2 ) suited to contain a liquid substance ( 3 ) that solidifies when it is subjected to a selective stimulation ( 4 );   emission means ( 5 ) suited to generate said selective stimulation ( 4 ) and to convey it towards said tank ( 2 ),   
       characterized in that it comprises a modelling plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″) according to any of the claims from  1 ) to  8 ). 
     
     
         10 ) Machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 9 ), characterized in that said plate ( 6 ;  6 ;  6 ″) is arranged with said work surface ( 7 ) facing the bottom ( 2   a ) of said tank ( 2 ). 
     
     
         11 ) Machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 9 ) or  10 ), characterized in that it comprises a tool ( 14 ) for cleaning said modelling plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″), comprising a supporting body ( 15 ) from which at least one elongated element ( 16 ) develops, configured so that it can slide inside a corresponding groove ( 8 ) of said plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″). 
     
     
         12 ) Machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 11 ), characterized in that said tool ( 14 ) comprises a supporting body ( 15 ) from which a plurality of elongated elements ( 16 ) develop, each one of which is configured so that it can slide inside a corresponding groove ( 8 ) of said plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″), said elongated elements ( 16 ) being mutually parallel and arranged according to a reference plane (Y) at mutual distances that are the same as the mutual distances between the corresponding grooves ( 8 ). 
     
     
         13 ) Machine ( 1 ) according to  claim 11 ) or  12 ), characterized in that the width ( 17 ) of each one of said elongated elements ( 16 ) with respect to a direction parallel to said reference plane (Y) is substantially equal to the width ( 10 ) of the corresponding groove ( 8 ) of said plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″). 
     
     
         14 ) Machine ( 1 ) according to any of the claims from  11 ) to  13 ), characterized in that the thickness ( 18 ) of each one of said elongated elements ( 16 ) in a direction orthogonal to said reference plane (Y) does not exceed the depth ( 9 ) of the corresponding groove ( 8 ). 
     
     
         15 ) Machine ( 1 ) according to any of the claims from  11 ) to  14 ), characterized in that said elongated elements ( 16 ) have rounded ends ( 16   a ). 
     
     
         16 ) Machine ( 1 ) according to any of the claims from  11 ) to  15 ), characterized in that said elongated elements ( 16 ) are flexible. 
     
     
         17 ) Machine ( 1 ) according to any of the claims from  11 ) to  16 ), characterized in that the hardness of said elongated elements ( 16 ) is lower than the hardness of said plate ( 6 ;  6 ′;  6 ″).