Linear-immersed sweeping accumulation for 3D printing
AssigneeUniversity of Southern California
InventorsYong Chen, Huachao Mao
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure describes systems and techniques relating to computer numerical control (CNC) additive manufacturing. According to an aspect, a tooltip for an additive manufacturing machine includes: an input end configured to receive light from an optical system; and an output end configured to deliver the light to a workpiece on a build platform in the additive manufacturing machine; wherein the output end of the tooltip is configured to be immersed in a liquid resin in a tank of the additive manufacturing machine, and the output end defines a linear opening through which the light is delivered to the workpiece on the build platform.
Claims29
A tooltip for an additive manufacturing machine, the tooltip comprising:
- an input end configured to receive light;
- and
- an output end having a first planar side with an end and a second planar side with an end, the first planar side and the second planar side being angled inward and separated by an opening in between the ends of the first planar side and the second planar side, the output end being configured to deliver the light through the opening to a workpiece on a build platform in the additive manufacturing machine and to be immersed in a liquid curable resin in a tank of the additive manufacturing machine.
A system for additive manufacturing, comprising:
- a tank configured to contain a build platform and a liquid resin;
- a multi-axis motion control stage that is configured to provide at least 3 axes of motion;
- a scanning unit coupled with the multi-axis motion control stage, the scanning unit including:
- a light source configured to supply light, and
- a tooltip comprising an input end to receive the light and an output end having a first planar side with an end and a second planar side with an end, the first planar side and the second planar side being angled inward and separated by a linear opening between the ends of the first planar side and the second planar side, the output end being configured to be immersed in the liquid resin in the tank and to deliver the light through the linear opening to a workpiece on the build platform;
- a coating that covers the linear opening and that reduces an attachment force between the output end of the tooltip and material cured by the light;
- and
- a processor that is coupled with the multi-axis motion control stage to control movement of the scanning unit and configured to:
- immerse the output end of the tooltip in the liquid resin in the tank, and
- deliver the light through the linear opening in a set of distinct lines to cure linear portions of the liquid resin in the tank to manufacture the workpiece on the build platform.
A system for additive manufacturing, comprising:
- a tank configured to contain a build platform and a liquid resin;
- a multi-axis motion control stage that is configured to provide at least 3 axes of motion;
- a scanning unit coupled with the multi-axis motion control stage, the scanning unit including:
- a light source configured to supply light, and
- a tooltip comprising an input end to receive the light and an output end having a first planar side with an end and a second planar side with an end, the first planar side and the second planar side being angled inward and separated by a linear opening between the ends of the first planar side and the second planar side, the output end being configured to be immersed in the liquid resin in the tank and to deliver the light through the linear opening to a workpiece on the build platform;
- and
- a processor that is coupled with the multi-axis motion control stage to control movement of the scanning unit and configured to:
- immerse the output end of the tooltip in the liquid resin in the tank, and
- deliver the light through the linear opening in a set of distinct lines to cure linear portions of the liquid resin in the tank to manufacture the workpiece on the build platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.