Abstract: A computer-controlled reproduction device is described for recreating a 3-dimensional image representative of a subject image in a permanent medium such as a sheet of transparent plastic. Digital signals representative of the subject image are stored in the memory of the computer and used by the computer to control a machine tool for drilling a plurality of holes in the plastic sheet representative of the subject image. The machine tool contains a drill bit which is tapered over the length of its travel into the plastic sheet so the deeper the penetration into the sheet, the larger the diameter of the entrance hole in the sheet. The depth of each hole is controlled by the computer to correspond to the lightness of the subject image at that point.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 4, 1980
Date of Patent:
May 24, 1983
Assignee:
Micro-Power Computer Systems
Inventors:
Mitsuru Yamada, Paul H. Yamada, Alvin E. Evans