Hybrid 3D printing with photo-curable materials

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system comprising:

• a 3D printer comprising:
• a platform;
• a first material, wherein the first material is a photo-curable material;
• a second material that is different from the first material;
• one or more dispensers, wherein the one or more dispensers comprises a first dispenser comprising a first nozzle and a heating element, wherein the heating element is to heat the first material and the first nozzle is to extrude the heated first material onto the platform to form a first part of a first layer of an object, wherein the first layer has a first shape specified by a digital file, and wherein the first shape has a first minimum line width based on a diameter of the first nozzle;
• wherein at least one of the first nozzle of the first dispenser or a second nozzle of a second dispenser of the one or more dispensers is to extrude the second material onto the platform to form a second part of the first layer;
• a light source to direct a light beam onto the first layer according to at least one of the digital file or an additional digital file to cure a portion of the first layer, wherein the cured portion of the first layer has a second shape, wherein the light beam has a beam diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the first nozzle, and wherein the second shape has a second minimum line width that is smaller than the first minimum line width;
• and
• a heater to heat the object after a plurality of layers of the object have been formed, wherein the heater is to heat the object to cause uncured portions of the object to liquefy and separate from cured portions of the object.

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system comprising:

• a 3D printer comprising:
• a platform;
• a first dispenser comprising a first nozzle;
• a light source;
• and
• a processor, wherein the processor is configured to:
• cause the first dispenser to dispense a first layer of a first material onto the platform to form a first layer of a wall of a vat, wherein the first layer of the first material has a first shape specified by a digital file;
• cause the first dispenser or a second dispenser to extrude a second material onto the platform to form a first layer of the second material within the first layer of the wall of the vat;
• and
• cause the light source to direct a light beam onto the first layer of the second material according to the digital file or an additional digital file to cure a portion of the first layer of the second material, wherein the cured portion of the first layer of the second material has a second shape of an object, wherein the light beam has a x/y resolution that is determined by the light source.