MODELING APPARATUS WITH TRAY SUBSTRATE

• Main Authors: DUNN, BENJAMIN, N, GOETZKE, JEROME, W
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 25.08.2005
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOTDIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT; DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g.ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OFPARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

A modeling apparatus (10) includes a platform (14) and a substrate (16), which are adapted to be releasably locked together to provide a surface for building up models in an additive-process three-dimensional modeling machine (12). The substrate (16) comprises a substantially rigid, non-dusting tray (50) providing a modeling surface (52). Male connectors extending from the tray are seated in male connectors in the platform (14), to engage the substrate (16) to the platform (14). The engaged substrate (16) is locked to the platform (14), maintaining accurate positioning of the substrate (16) while a model is built. After modeling is complete, the substrate (16) is released from the platform (14), the model is removed, and the substrate may be reused. Un dispositif de modélisation (10) comprend une plate-forme (14) et un substrat (16) qui sont adaptés pour être assemblés de manière amovible et pour former ensemble une surface de mise au point de modèles dans une machine tridimensionnelle à processus additif (12). Le substrat (16) comprend un plateau anti-poussières sensiblement rigide (50) qui offre une surface de modélisation (52). Des fiches mâles s'étendant du plateau sont logées dans des fiches femelles situées sur la plate-forme (14) pour relier le substrat (16) à la plate-forme (14). Le substrat engagé (16) est assujetti à la plate-forme (14), ce qui permet de le maintenir en position fixe pendant la fabrication du modèle. Après la modélisation, le substrat (16) est libéré de la plate-forme (14), le modèle est enlevé, et le substrat est éventuellement réutilisé.