Search results

1 – 2 of 2
Article
Publication date: 1 March 1999

Kai Loose Toshiki Niino and Takeo Nakagawa

At The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) a new process named multiple LED photographic curing (MPC) has been developed. As a matter of priority, MPC is thought…

Abstract

At The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) a new process named multiple LED photographic curing (MPC) has been developed. As a matter of priority, MPC is thought to be applied to concept modelling. The building data are available in bitmap or voxel representation respectively. In MPC, light is generated by light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). Exposing of a photopolymer happens through raster scanning. An array of multiple beams of light is projected onto the resin surface while the scan head moves across the vat. The fabrication of test parts has proven the system’s practical ability to create geometric objects. Surface finish is quite good, certainly adequate for most concept verification. Some obstacles such as low exposure energy have yet to be overcome. Scaling up the build envelope enables fabricating much larger parts.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1999

Kai Loose, Toshiki Niino and Takeo Nakagawa

A method to control raster‐based exposure in multiple‐LED photographic curing (MPC) is introduced. During the build process, beams of multiple sources, each exposing a separate…

Abstract

A method to control raster‐based exposure in multiple‐LED photographic curing (MPC) is introduced. During the build process, beams of multiple sources, each exposing a separate area, are projected vertically onto the resin surface while the projector moves continuously across the resin vat. In the projector, 1,024 beams of light are arranged in an array of eight staggered rows. Part‐building data are written in numerical control (NC) geometric details (G)‐codes to produce a physical replica of the digital part design. The sliced 3D data are converted into bitmap data, an image consisting of tiny dots called pixels. The individual layers of a part are built up through pixels arranged in a bitmap. The formation of objects happens through curing in an orthogonal raster with a mesh of 62.5mm. To obtain even intensity in the surface, five beams are used to cure a single string. In part‐building experiments, microscopic photographs taken of parts clarified the characteristic pattern of the exposure technique.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 5 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

1 – 2 of 2