Method and apparatus for the computer-controlled manufacture of three-dimensional objects from computer data

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A method and process for computer-controlled manufacture of three-dimensional objects involves dispensing a layer of a first material, such as a liquid, insoluble material onto a platform at predetermined locations corresponding to a cross-section of the object, which then hardens. A second medium preferably water, soluble, is then sprayed onto this layer to thereby encapsulate the hardened insoluble media. The uppermost surface of this encapsulant is planarized, if necessary for example by way of a, mill cutter, knife roller or thermal bar, thus removing a portion of the encapsulant to expose the underlying insoluble material for new pattern deposition. The dispensing of the first and …