Chuck Hull facts for kids

Chuck Hull (born May 12, 1939) is an American inventor. He helped start the company 3D Systems, where he is an executive vice president. He is famous for inventing the SLA 3D printer. This was the very first commercial rapid prototyping technology. He also created the popular STL file format, which is used for 3D printing.

Hull holds over 60 patents in the United States and many more worldwide. These patents cover areas like ion optics and rapid prototyping. In 2014, he was added to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He also became one of the first people in the TCT Hall of Fame in 2017.

Early Life and Education

Chuck Hull was born on May 12, 1939, in Clifton, Colorado. He grew up in Clifton and Gateway, Colorado. He finished high school at Central High School in Grand Junction, Colorado.

In 1961, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He studied engineering physics at the University of Colorado. He is also recognized as a special alumnus of Colorado Mesa University.

How 3D Printing Began

Hull first thought of the idea for 3D printing in 1983. At the time, he was using UV light to harden coatings on tabletops. Just a few weeks after others filed a similar patent, Hull filed his own.

On March 11, 1986, Hull received his patent. He named his invention "stereolithography." His patent described a way to make solid objects. It worked by "printing" thin layers of a special material. This material would harden when exposed to ultraviolet light.

How Stereolithography Works

In Hull's method, a strong beam of ultraviolet light is aimed. It shines onto a liquid called photopolymer in a vat. A computer controls the light beam. It draws each layer of the object onto the liquid's surface. Where the light hits, the liquid turns into a solid.

Special computer software (CAD/CAM/CAE) helps with this. It slices a 3D computer model into many thin layers. The machine then builds the object layer by layer. It starts with the bottom layer. After each layer hardens, a platform lowers slightly. This makes space for the next layer.

Starting Commercial 3D Printing

In 1986, Chuck Hull started commercial rapid prototyping. He founded his company, 3D Systems, in Valencia, California. He realized his invention could be used for more than just liquids. So, he called it "stereolithography" (which is now known as 3D printing). His patents covered any material that could become solid.

Hull created many important patents. These patents cover key parts of today's additive manufacturing technologies. This includes how data is prepared using triangulated models (the STL file format). It also covers how objects are sliced and how light is exposed.

Awards and Recognition

Chuck Hull has received many awards for his inventions:

• In 2014, he won the European Inventor Award. This was in the Non-European countries category.
• In 2015, he received the IRI Achievement Award. This was for inventing stereolithography.
• In 2020, he won the Progress Medal from the Royal Photographic Society.
• In 2023, President Joe Biden gave him the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. This award recognized his great contributions to America.

See also

In Spanish: Chuck Hull para niños