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INVENTORS: Hickerson; Kevin P. (Altadena, CA), Bedal; Bryan (Santa Clarita, CA), Diephuis; Richard J. (Pasadena, CA)
ASSIGNEES: Desktop Factory, Inc. (Pasadena, CA)
U.S. CLASS: 425/174.4 ; 264/308; 264/401; 425/375 Current International Class: B28B 1/16 (20060101)
ABSTRACT: A three-dimensional printer adapted to construct three dimensional objects is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the printer includes a first surface adapted to receive a bulk layer of sinterable powder, a polymer such as nylon powder; a radiant energy source, e.g., an incoherent heat source adapted to focus the heat energy to sinter an image from the layer of sinterable powder; and a transfer mechanism adapted to transfer or print the sintered image from the first surface to the object being assembled while fusing the sintered image to the object being assembled. The transfer mechanism is preferably adapted to simultaneously deposit and fuse the sintered image to the object being assembled. The process of generating an image and transferring it to the object being assembled is repeated for each cross section until the assembled object is completed. XX
