Method of removing debris from a liquid photopolymer in an additive fabrication device
AssigneeFormlabs, Inc.
InventorsAdam Damiano, Andre Comella
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to some aspects, a method is provided of removing debris from a liquid photopolymer in an additive fabrication device. According to some embodiments, a mesh of solid material may be formed in an additive fabrication device from a liquid photopolymer, and particles of debris present in the liquid photopolymer may adhere to the mesh. The debris may thereby be removed from the liquid photopolymer by removing the mesh from the additive fabrication device. The mesh may then be discarded.
Claims18
A method of removing debris from a liquid photopolymer in an additive fabrication device, the additive fabrication device comprising a container and a build platform and configured to form layers of solid material on the build platform by photocuring liquid photopolymer in the container, the method comprising:
- forming a mesh of solid material adhered to an interior surface of the container by directing actinic radiation to the liquid photopolymer in the container, wherein the mesh of solid material is formed from a single layer of material and includes one or more features configured to assist in removal of the mesh of solid material from the container subsequent to fabrication of the mesh of solid material mesh;
- and
- separating the mesh of solid material from the container at least in part by applying force to the one or more features, subsequent to one or more particles of debris within the liquid photopolymer becoming adhered to the mesh of solid material.
A method of configuring an additive fabrication device to remove debris from a liquid photopolymer in the additive fabrication device, the additive fabrication device comprising a container and a build platform and configured to form layers of solid material on the build platform by photocuring liquid photopolymer in the container, the method comprising:
- generating, using at least one processor, instructions that, when executed by the additive fabrication device, cause the additive fabrication device to:
- form a mesh of solid material adhered to an interior surface of the container by directing actinic radiation to the liquid photopolymer in the container, wherein the mesh of solid material is formed from a single layer of material and includes one or more features configured to assist in removal of the mesh of solid material from the container subsequent to fabrication of the mesh of solid material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.