Continuous liquid interphase printing
US9360757B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 11, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29K2105/16
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of forming a three-dimensional object is carried out by providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid; irradiating the build region through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer from the polymerizable liquid and advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form the three-dimensional object from the solid polymer, while also concurrently with the irradiating and/or advancing steps: (i) continuously maintaining a dead zone of polymerizable liquid in contact with the build surface, and (ii) continuously maintaining a gradient of polymerization zone between the dead zone and the solid polymer and in contact with each thereof. The gradient of polymerization zone comprises the polymerizable liquid in partially cured form (e.g., so that the formation of fault or cleavage lines between layers of solid polymer in the three-dimensional object is reduced). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.