Claims
- 1. In the process of stereolithography in which a three-dimensional object is built up in successive layers by polymerizing cationically polymerizable monomers by the catalytic action of cationic photoinitiators activated by a moving beam of ultraviolet light, the improvement comprising adding as an ultraviolet light absorbing compound in quantities sufficient to provide a predetermined depth of cure and having the formula ##STR16## where: R.sub.1 -R.sub.10 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, carboxyl, and carbinol moieties.
- 2. The process of claim 1 where at least two of R.sub.1 -R.sub.10 are alkoxy.
- 3. The process of claim 2 wherein R.sub.2 is ethyl and R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 are --OCH.sub.3.
- 4. The process of claim 2 wherein said light absorbing compound is up to 0.5 pph relative to said monomers.
- 5. The process of claim 1 wherein said monomers are a mixture of epoxides and vinyl ethers.
- 6. The process of claim 5 wherein said mixture has a vinyl ether equivalent weight of 80 to 800.
- 7. The process of claim 1 wherein said stereolithography employs an argon ion laser.
- 8. The process of claim 7 wherein said argon ion laser emits ultraviolet energy primarily at 364 nm.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/266,829 filed Jun. 27, 1994 which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,618, on Feb. 27, 1996.
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Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
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Parent |
266829 |
Jun 1994 |
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