DEVICE FOR PRODUCING PLASTIC BODIES

Abstract

The device relates to a device for producing plastic bodies wherein the device comprises a photopolymer curing unit comprising at least one radiation source with a selected radiation spectrum or spectrums for curing of light hardening photopolymer, a mold which mold is partially or wholly comprised of light transmissive material which material allows the passage of radiation of selected spectrum or spectrums for curing of light hardening photopolymers, and a fixture for securing and rotating the mold along one or more axis.

Light hardening photopolymer is introduced into the cavity of the mold and exposed to a selected radiation spectrum or spectrums for curing of light hardening photopolymers through the mold light transmissive material thereby hardening and curing the light hardening photopolymer whereupon the cured light hardening photopolymer is removed from the mold and the process repeated.

The device permits the production of photopolymer molded bodies or photopolymer coated bodies in a continuous or discontinuous process.

Claims

1. A method for creating three dimensional plastic bodies comprising the steps of dispensing at least one light hardening photopolymer into a mold cavity of a mold which mold is constructed of material which allows the passage of light with the proper spectral frequency or frequencies to effect hardening of light hardening photopolymers with said mold being placed within a fixture designed for receiving said mold and subsequently exposing the mold to radiation of the proper spectral frequency or frequencies to effect hardening of the light hardening photopolymer or photopolymers within the mold cavity which radiation of the proper spectral frequency or frequencies to effect hardening of light hardening photopolymer or photopolymers is emitted by at least one radiation source which produces radiation of the proper spectral frequency or frequencies to effect hardening of the light hardening photopolymer or photopolymers,

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation source may be located external to the mold and the mold cavity,

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the radiation source may be located internal to the mold and external to the mold cavity,

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the mold is mounted to a fixture for mounting said mold such that said mold may be rotated about one or more axis,

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the mold may be constructed with support structures using Polyether Ether Ketone, steel, brass, or other assorted materials so as to facilitate the mounting and operation of the mold.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 depicts the device (10) consisting of the radiation source or sources (20) placed in such a way that the mold cavity (40) can be exposed to the illumination emanating from the radiation source or sources (20) located without the light transmissive material mold (30) to a location within mold cavity (40) through mold cavity wall (45). Additionally fixture (50) may be rotated about one fixture axis (70) so as to effect a more even illumination of mold cavity (45). An additional benefit to rotating fixture (50) about fixture axis (70) is facilitating an even and uniform deposition of the light hardening photopolymer.

[0033] FIG. 2 depicts the device (10) consisting of the radiation source or sources (20) placed in such a way that the mold cavity (40) can be exposed to the illumination emanating from the radiation source or sources (20) located without the light transmissive material mold (30) to a location within mold cavity (40) through mold cavity wall (45). Less exposed areas may be more sufficiently irradiated by mounting mold (30) into fixture (50) and rotating fixture (50) about fixture axis (70) so as to effect a more even illumination of mold cavity (45). An additional benefit to rotating fixture (50) about fixture axis (70) is facilitating an even and uniform deposition of the light hardening photopolymer.

[0034] FIG. 3 depicts the light transmissive material mold (30) consisting of the radiation source or sources (20) placed within the mold in such a way that the mold cavity (40) can be exposed to the illumination emanating from the radiation source or sources (20) located within the light transmissive material mold (30) to a location within mold cavity (40) through mold cavity wall (45).

[0035] FIG. 4 depicts the light transmissive material mold (30), consist of a mold cavity (40), mold cavity wall (45), mold support structures (47) and light transmissive material or materials (48).

[0036] FIG. 5 depicts the device (10) consisting of the radiation source or sources (20) mounted to fixture (50) in such a way that the mold cavity (40) can be exposed to the illumination emanating from the radiation source or sources (20) located without the light transmissive material mold (30) to a location within mold cavity (40) through mold cavity wall (45). Less exposed areas may be more sufficiently irradiated by mounting mold (30) into fixture (50) and rotating fixture (50) about fixture axis (70) so as to effect a more even illumination of mold cavity (45). An additional benefit to rotating fixture (50) about fixture axis (70) is facilitating an even and uniform deposition of the light hardening photopolymer.

[0037] The embodiments and examples described only serve for explaining the device; however, they are not supposed nor intended to limit the spirit and scope of the device.