VERFAHREN UND APPARAT ZUR FORMUNG EINES FESTEN DREIDIMENSIONALEN ARTIKELS AUS EINER FLÜSSIGKEIT

A method and apparatus (20) for forming a solid three-dimensional article by exposure of successive layers of a liquid material to a vertically movable energy source (32). The apparatus includes a fixed support plate (28) disposed in a container (24), the liquid being dispensed to successively higher levels in the container above the plate. In one embodiment, the liquid is fed from a reservoir (25) below the plate to an upper portion of the container above the plate by an expandable member (150) disposed in the reservoir. A vertically movable liquid dispenser (34) may be provided above the plate either alone or in combination with the expandable member. The energy source includes a laser (50), a focusing optics system (52) and a scanner head (54) for directing a laser beam to solidify selected portions of successive layers of the liquid medium.