Abstract: A radiation modifying apparatus comprises a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that modifies a first material such as by curing or creating alignment through polarization. The solid state radiation sources can be disposed in an array pattern. Optical concentrators, arranged in a corresponding array pattern, receive radiation from corresponding solid state radiation sources. The concentrated radiation is received by a plurality of optical waveguides, also arranged in a corresponding array pattern. Each optical waveguide includes a first end to receive the radiation and a second end to output the radiation. The radiation modifying apparatus can be utilized for continuous substrate, sheet, piece part, spot curing, and/or 3D radiation-cure processes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 16, 2004
Date of Patent:
April 10, 2007
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Francis M. Aguirre, Michele A. Craton, Jack W. Lai, David L. Phillips, Peter T. Benson