Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depicting interior details that are externally visible within to a substantially transparent three-dimensional object that is constructed by the selective attachment of a plurality of sheets one to another so as to form a stack of sheets where each sheet is cut along at least one contour line corresponding to the contour of the respective layer constituted by that particular sheet in the object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for monitoring the functionality of the contour cutting blade by cutting at least a portion of the top sheet, which is connected to the reservoir of sheet material, along a separation line with the cutting blade so as to at least partially separate the stack portion of sheet material from the reservoir of sheet material. The separation line, therefore, defines the trailing edge of the stack portion of the sheet and a leading edge of the reservoir of sheet material. Checking the functionality of the cutting blade is achieved by retracting the leading edge of the reservoir from the trailing edge of the stack portion. The ability to perform this retracting step is considered as indication that the cutting blade is functioning properly. Likewise, the inability to perform this retracting step is considered as indication that the cutting blade has malfunctioned and an appropriate resolution is required.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for making a three-dimensional object (2) made of a plurality of performed sheets (3), one atop the other, The method includes coating one side of one sheet (3) with adhesive using applicator (20), coating the adhesive with a release agent using applicator (22), bonding the opposite side of twice coating sheet (3) to a sheet (3) thereunder using adhesive on the surface of sheet (3) thereunder, and cutting twice coated sheet (3) using cutter (30). These steps are repeated until the desired number of sheets (3) is provided in a stack. The release agent is coated only in those areas of sheets (3) which will not be part of object (2), and cutting of each sheet (3) is along a contour corresponding to the contour of the same respective layer in object (2). After the steps have stopped, portion of the stack where the release layer is present and which is not part of object (2) is removed from the stack to give object (2).

Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing the deformation along a cut contour edge (26) of a sheet (2) caused by the cutting process whereby sheet material (4) protrudes above the top surface of the sheet being cut. One group of embodiments (22, 50, 60) apply pressure to the deformation to flatten the protrusion (4). Another group of embodiments (70, 80) cut away ant material protruding above the top surface of the sheet. The deformation reduction mechanisms of both groups may be mechanically linked to the contour-cutting element or they may pass over the line of the contour cut independently.

Abstract: In a system for constructing a three-dimensional object by selective attachment of a plurality of sheets of flexible material, each sheet being cut along at least one contour line so as to subdivide the sheet into at least one object forming region corresponding to the shape of a layer of the object bounded by a corresponding contour of the object and at least one residue region not required in the constructed object, at least part of each object forming region being attached to object forming regions of adjacent layers, a method for facilitating the removal of the residue regions including producing selective attachment of at least part of a plurality of the residue regions to the residue regions of adjacent sheets in such a manner as to form, from at least part of the residue regions of a plurality of the sheets, a plurality of residue elements non-rigidly interconnected such that manual removal of each of the residue elements initiates removal of a subsequent one of the residue elements.

Abstract: In a system for constructing a three-dimensional object by selective attachment of a plurality of sheets of flexible material, each sheet being cut along at least one contour line so as to subdivide the sheet into at least one object forming region corresponding to the shape of a layer of the object bounded by a corresponding contour of the object and at least one residue region not required in the constructed object, at least part of each object forming region being attached to object forming regions of adjacent layers, a method for facilitating the removal of the residue regions including producing selective attachment of at least part of a plurality of the residue regions to the residue regions of adjacent sheets in such a manner as to form, from at least part of the residue regions of a plurality of the sheets, a plurality of residue elements non-rigidly interconnected such that manual removal of each of the residue elements initiates removal of a subsequent one of the residue elements.