Abstract: In order for a surface of a three-dimensional sintered object to be smoothly finished by removing unwanted portions and an excessively sintered growth formed during sintering to form sintered layers, the three-dimensional sintered object is formed by repeating successive processes of dispensing a powdery material and directing an optical sintering beam to the powdery material to form the sintered layer, until a required number of integral laminated bodies are formed. During the formation of the integral laminated bodies, trimming is applied to a first zone different from a second zone in which each laminated body is formed, to remove unwanted portions of the respective laminated body.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object is made by repeating a process. An optical beam is irradiated on a predetermined portion of a powdery layer to form a sintered layer. A new powdery layer is formed on a surface of the sintered layer. An optical beam is irradiated on a predetermined portion of the new powdery layer to form a new sintered layer united with the underlying sintered layer. Because a portion of the sintered layer that is higher than a predetermined level is removed as occasion demands, the abnormally sintered portion on the sintered layer can be removed, making it possible to prevent stoppage of the shaping process, which may be caused by the abnormally sintered portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a three-dimensional object includes a powdery layer-forming unit for forming a powdery layer on a table and an optical beam-irradiating unit for irradiating an optical beam on a predetermined region of the powdery layer to sinter the predetermined region. The optical beam-irradiating unit is disposed at a position spaced from immediately above an optical beam-irradiating range to obliquely irradiate the optical beam on the powdery layer. Because fumes generated by irradiating and heating the powdery layer with the optical beam rise towards a position immediately above them, the optical beam is irradiated from the position spaced from immediately above the optical beam-irradiating range, thereby reducing a cloud of the optical beam-irradiating unit that may be caused by the fumes.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object of a desired shape is made by irradiating an optical beam on a metal powder layer to form a sintered layer and by laminating such sintered layer one above another. A metal powder composition for use in making such a three-dimensional object includes an iron-based powder material, a nickel and/or nickel alloy powder material, a copper and/or copper alloy powder material, and a graphite powder material. The graphite powder material acts to enhance the wettability during melting and to reduce microcracks during solidification.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object is manufactured by filling and hardening a powder material around a core. A powder material is first filled and layered around the core, and a beam is then selectively irradiated on the layer of powder material to form a hardened layer united with the core. These steps are repeated to form a plurality of hardened layers around the core, thereby manufacturing the three-dimensional object having the core embedded therein.

Abstract: To make a three-dimensional object, an optical beam is first irradiated on a predetermined portion of a powder layer to form a sintered layer, which is then covered with a new powder layer. The optical beam is again irradiated on a predetermined portion of the new powder layer to form another sintered layer that has been united with the underlying sintered layer. These processes are repeatedly carried out to form a plurality of sintered layers united together, which have a size greater than that of a target shape of the three-dimensional object. A surface region of a shaped object formed by then is removed during the formation of the plurality of sintered layers.

Abstract: In order for a surface of a three-dimensional sintered object to be smoothly finished by removing unwanted portions and an excessively sintered growth formed during sintering to form sintered layers, the three-dimensional sintered object is formed by repeating successive processes of dispensing a powdery material and directing an optical sintering beam to the powdery material to form the sintered layer, until a required number of integral laminated bodies are formed. During the formation of the integral laminated bodies, trimming is applied to a first zone different from a second zone in which each laminated body is formed, to remove unwanted portions of the respective laminated body.

Abstract: To make a three-dimensional object, an optical beam is first irradiated on a predetermined portion of a powder layer to form a sintered layer, which is then covered with a new powder layer. The optical beam is again irradiated on a predetermined portion of the new powder layer to form another sintered layer that has been united with the underlying sintered layer. These processes are repeatedly carried out to form a plurality of sintered layers united together, which have a size greater than that of a target shape of the three-dimensional object. A surface region of a shaped object formed by then is removed during the formation of the plurality of sintered layers.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object is fabricated from a light curable liquid resin by repeating the following process to superimpose a plurality of cured resin layers. The process utilizes a vessel containing a volume of the liquid resin and a vertically movable platform. In the process, the platform is immersed in the liquid resin in the vessel to dispose an overlay surface of an immediately previously cured layer sufficiently below the liquid level of the liquid resin. The platform is then raised such that the overlay surface is slightly higher than the liquid level of the liquid resin in the vessel, while keeping the liquid resin on the overlay surface connected with the surrounding liquid resin in the vessel by the effect of surface tension acting on the liquid resin. An excess amount of the liquid resin on the overlay surface is removed to form a liquid resin layer having a desired thickness.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a three-dimensional object from a light curable liquid resin by radiating a light to a surface of the liquid resin to form successive cross-sectional layers of the cured resin superimposed on each other. The process makes it possible to rapidly form on a platform or on a previously cured layer a fresh stratum of a desired thickness to be subsequently cured into the corresponding layer.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a three-dimensional object from a light curable liquid resin includes irradiating a light to a surface of the light curable liquid resin so as to form successive cross-sectional layers of the cured resin at that surface and to superimpose the successive layers on each other. An improvement resides in that one or more of the successive layers is made to have different portions made through different curing conditions. By providing such cross-sectional layers having different curing conditions, the resulting three-dimensional object can be made into accurate outer configuration without leaving any critical residual stress therein.

Abstract: A process and device for fabricating a three-dimensional object from a light curable liquid resin by irradiating a light to a surface of the liquid resin to form successive cross-sectional layers of the cured resin superimposed on each other. An open top enclosure surrounds the entire circumference of the preceding cured layer and a top upper end face of the enclosure is kept at the same horizontal level as that of the preceding cured layer. The liquid resin is supplied over the preceding layer, over the enclosure and into a space defined therebetween in such a manner as to positively overflow a portion of the liquid resin outwardly over the top end of the enclosure, thereby leaving a continuous coat of the liquid resin extending horizontally over from the preceding cured layer and to the enclosure.