Liquid interface techniques for additive fabrication and related systems and methods

    公开(公告)号:US11312074B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-04-26

    申请号:US16570981

    申请日:2019-09-13

    Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

    Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication apparatus is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a supporting liquid or a film disposed within a container, in addition to the build platform, a liquid photopolymer, and/or a previously formed layer of a material. The additive fabrication apparatus may comprise a container and a leveling element, wherein the leveling element is configured to move across a liquid-liquid interface to promote or create a flat interface between the two liquids. According to some aspects, the additive fabrication comprises a film disposed between two liquids, wherein the film maintains or provides a flat surface at the interface of the two liquids.

    Heating techniques in additive fabrication and related systems and methods

    公开(公告)号:US11130281B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-09-28

    申请号:US16285477

    申请日:2019-02-26

    Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

    Abstract: Substantially equal amounts of thermal energy may be provided over a build area of an additive fabrication device using as few as one heat source by selectively attenuating thermal energy emitted by the heat source. The thermal energy may be selectively attenuated by a structure that blocks portions of the thermal energy from being directly incident upon the build area such that the heat is normalized over the build area. The heat distribution over the build area may, in some embodiments, approximate the heat distribution produced by a flat field heating element, yet may be produced at comparatively lower cost and with less complex engineering.

    LIQUID INTERFACE TECHNIQUES FOR ADDITIVE FABRICATION AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

    公开(公告)号:US20210078251A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-03-18

    申请号:US16570981

    申请日:2019-09-13

    Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

    Abstract: According to some aspects, an additive fabrication apparatus is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a supporting liquid or a film disposed within a container, in addition to the build platform, a liquid photopolymer, and/or a previously formed layer of a material. The additive fabrication apparatus may comprise a container and a leveling element, wherein the leveling element is configured to move across a liquid-liquid interface to promote or create a flat interface between the two liquids. According to some aspects, the additive fabrication comprises a film disposed between two liquids, wherein the film maintains or provides a flat surface at the interface of the two liquids.

    SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN IMPROVED PEEL OPERATION DURING ADDITIVE FABRICATION

    公开(公告)号:US20190322053A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-10-24

    申请号:US16439964

    申请日:2019-06-13

    Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

    Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a build platform is provided. The method may comprise forming a layer of material in contact with a container, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of material, rotating the container relative to the build platform and moving the build platform relative to the container, thereby creating an effective fulcrum about an axis, wherein the rotating of the container and moving of the build platform causes the layer of material to separate from the container. According to some embodiments, the container may be configured to rotate about a fixed axis. According to some embodiments, moving the build platform may comprise moving the build platform toward the container.

    Systems and methods for an improved peel operation during additive fabrication

    公开(公告)号:US10369747B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-08-06

    申请号:US15866766

    申请日:2018-01-10

    Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

    Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a build platform is provided. The method may comprise forming a layer of material in contact with a container, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of material, rotating the container relative to the build platform and moving the build platform relative to the container, thereby creating an effective fulcrum about an axis, wherein the rotating of the container and moving of the build platform causes the layer of material to separate from the container. According to some embodiments, the container may be configured to rotate about a fixed axis. According to some embodiments, moving the build platform may comprise moving the build platform toward the container.

    TECHNIQUES FOR CASTING FROM ADDITIVELY FABRICATED MOLDS AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

    公开(公告)号:US20180370081A1

    公开(公告)日:2018-12-27

    申请号:US15981279

    申请日:2018-05-16

    Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

    Abstract: According to some aspects, a method is provided of casting an object from a mold, the method comprising obtaining a mold comprising a hollow shell of rigid material, the material comprising a thermoset polymer having a plurality of pores formed therein, providing a metal and/or ceramic slurry into an interior of the mold, exposing at least part of the mold to a low pressure environment so that a net flow of gas is produced from the interior of the mold into the low pressure environment. According to some aspects, a method of forming a porous mold is provided. According to some aspects, a photocurable liquid composition is provided, comprising a liquid photopolymer resin, particles of a solid material, in an amount between 30% and 60% by volume of the composition, and a water-soluble liquid.

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