System and method for three dimensional model printing

1. A method for printing of a three-dimensional model, said method comprising the steps of:

dispensing a pre-determined quantity of interface material from at least one printing head to form at least one interface layer of photopolymer material including first and second interface material;

leveling the layer of photopolymer material including said first and second interface materials using a roller rotatable about an axis, the roller including a sensing device embedded within the roller operative to detect the contact of the roller with the interface materials;

curing the leveled photopolymer material including first and second interface materials; and

repeating said steps of dispensing, leveling and curing thereby producing a plurality of said at least one interface layer of photopolymer material to a configured pattern layer for forming the three-dimensional model.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second interface materials are dispensed from first and second printing heads, respectively.

3. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising the steps of:

curing said first interface material for a first period of time and at a first radiation wavelength; and

curing said second interface material for a second period of time and at a second radiation wavelength.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of leveling comprises the step of:

removing surplus material from a layer of dispensed photopolymer material utilizing the roller, such that the dispensed layer is leveled to a pre-determined height.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein said step of leveling further comprises the step of:

cleaning the surplus material off said roller.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein said step of leveling further comprises the step of:

curing the surplus material.

7. The method of claim 1 , comprising providing an audible signal to indicate contact with an interface material.

8. A system for three-dimensional printing of a three-dimensional model, comprising:

at least one printing head for dispensing a pre-determined quantity of interface material to form at least one interface layer of photopolymer material including first and second interface material;

a leveling apparatus for removing surplus material from said at least one interface layer prior to curing, said leveling apparatus including at least a roller rotatable about an axis, the roller including a sensing device embedded within the roller operative to detect the contact of the roller with the interface materials;

a curing apparatus for curing the leveled interface layer; and

a controller connected to said leveling apparatus for controlling the height of each of said at least one interface layer.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein said at least one printing head comprises first and second printing heads for dispensing firs t a nd second interface materials respectively from first and second dispenser connected thereto respectively.

10. The system according to claim 9 wherein said cu ring apparatus comprises:

a first cur ing apparatus for curing said first interface material for a first period of time and at a first radiation wavelength; and

a second curing apparatus for curing said second interface material for a second period of time and at a second radiation wavelength.

11. The system according to claim 8 , wherein said interface layer is a photopolymer material curable by the application of ultra-violet or infra-red radiation.

12. The system according to claim 8 , wherein said roller is rotatable about a longitudinal axis.

13. The system according to claim 8 , and further comprising:

cleaning apparatus connected to said controller for cleaning said leveling apparatus; and

waste disposal apparatus for disposing of the waste interface material.

14. The system according to claim 13 , wherein said waste disposal apparatus comprises curing apparatus using ultra-violet or infra-red radiation.

15. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the outer circumferential surface of said roller comprises grinding material.

16. The system of claim 8 , comprising a device to provide a signal to audibly indicate contact with an interface material.

17. Apparatus for controlling the finished height of interface layers deposited during the printing of a three-dimensional model, the apparatus comprising:

a roller rotatable about a longitudinal axis, the roller being operative to make contact with the deposited interface layers;

a sensing device embedded within the roller operative to detect the contact of the roller with the interface layers; and

a processor for processing the output from said sensing device.

18. The system according to claim 17 , wherein the output from said sensing device is indicative of the height and width of interface material protruding above a pre-determined level.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 , comprising a device to provide a signal to audibly indicate contact with the interface layers.

20. An apparatus for controlling the finished height of layers deposited during the printing of a three-dimensional model, the layers comprising photopolymer material, the apparatus comprising:

a roller, the roller to make contact with the deposited layer and remove surplus material from each layer such that the dispensed layer is leveled to a predetermined height: and a device to provide a signal to indicate contact with the material.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the device is embedded within the roller.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the signal indicating contact with the material is audible.