TECHNIQUES FOR RELEASING PARTS IN ADDITIVE FABRICATION AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

    公开(公告)号:US20220410477A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-12-29

    申请号:US17845033

    申请日:2022-06-21

    Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

    Abstract: An improved additive fabrication device and a build platform are provided. The additive fabrication device is configured to form layers of material on a build surface. The additive fabrication device comprising: a build platform comprising: a rigid structure; an actuation structure attached to the rigid structure, wherein the actuation structure comprises one or more sheet handles and a flexible sheet, and wherein a first surface of the flexible sheet forms a build surface on which the additive fabrication device is configured to form layers of materials; and the one or more sheet handles are configured to be actuated to apply a force to the flexible sheet while at least a part of the actuation structure remains attached to the rigid structure, to deform at least a part of the flexible sheet away from the rigid structure.

    TECHNIQUES FOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT IN ADDITIVE FABRICATION AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

    公开(公告)号:US20210107063A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-04-15

    申请号:US17022401

    申请日:2020-09-16

    Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

    Abstract: According to some aspects, degradation of material in a sintering additive fabrication process may be mitigated or avoided by fabricating parts within a chamber that includes one or more thermal breaks. The thermal break may be implemented using a variety of structures, but generally allows material in the chamber close to the surface to be maintained at different temperatures than the material further from the surface. For instance, as a result of the thermal break, parts located within the material of the chamber that were formed earlier during fabrication may be kept cooler to avoid damage to the parts yet the upper surface (sometimes called the “build surface”) of unconsolidated material may be heated enough so as to require minimal additional energy exposure to trigger consolidation.

    TECHNIQUES FOR DESIGNING AND FABRICATING SUPPORT STRUCTURES IN ADDITIVE FABRICATION AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

    公开(公告)号:US20210080929A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-03-18

    申请号:US17026638

    申请日:2020-09-21

    Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

    Abstract: According to some aspects, techniques are described for generating support structures that may be easily removed after fabrication yet provide sufficient structural support during fabrication. In some cases, the techniques may include tuning an extent to which pillars of a support structure are interconnected to one another in regions proximate to the part. In some cases, the techniques may include fabricating very small contact structures, referred to herein as “hair” supports, in regions of a support structure where it connects with the part. In some cases, the techniques may include adjusting the shapes of members of a support structure proximate to a join between the members so that the cross-sections of the members have conformal edges.

    TECHNIQUES FOR DESIGNING AND FABRICATING SUPPORT STRUCTURES IN ADDITIVE FABRICATION AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

    公开(公告)号:US20200307108A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-10-01

    申请号:US16835991

    申请日:2020-03-31

    Applicant: Formlabs, Inc.

    Abstract: According to some aspects, techniques are described for generating support structures that may be easily removed after fabrication yet provide sufficient structural support during fabrication. In some cases, the techniques may include tuning an extent to which pillars of a support structure are interconnected to one another in regions proximate to the part. In some cases, the techniques may include fabricating very small contact structures, referred to herein as “hair” supports, in regions of a support structure where it connects with the part. In some cases, the techniques may include generating support structures that comprise obliquely-angled tips, which allow forces during fabrication to be applied in a preferred direction even when the support structure does not make a connection to the part in the preferred direction.

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