LAYER NORMALIZING DEVICE FOR SELECTIVE DEPOSITION MODELING

摘要

An improved layer normalizing device (10) for use in dimensionally normalizing layers of a three-dimensional model produced by a selective deposition modeling technique. The layer normalizing device employs a wicking member (12) having a body (14) and a normalizing surface (16) for dimensionally normalizing the object while the object is being built layer by layer. The body includes a plurality of interstices (18), and when the wicking member is sufficient heated to cause the build material to become flowable, excess material is drawn by capillary action from the layer of the object being normalized and into the wicking member. A refreshing means is provided to remove the excess build material from the interstices of the wicking member and allow the wicking member to draw additional build material by capillary action.