# US 12,214,550 B2 · System and method for facilitating separation of stereolithography 3D-printed objects from build platforms

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- Number: US 12,214,550 B2
- Document ID: US12214550B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/372,944
- Filed: 2023-09-26
- Published: 2024-01-18
- Granted: 2025-02-04
- Earliest claimed: 2021-01-29
- Assignees: SprintRay, Inc.
- Applicants: SprintRay, Inc.
- Inventors: Amir Mansouri; Aayush Patel; Anjali E. Daniels; Huijian Tian; Chonghuan Huang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214550B2

## CPC

- B29C 64/245: Platforms or substrates (support structures intended to be sacrificed after manufacture B29C64/40)
- B29C 64/124: using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
- B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing
- B33Y 30/00: Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING

## Abstract

A system and method for facilitating separation of 3D-printed objects from build platforms. The principle of separation in the present invention involves a build platform configured to be removable or flexible or partially deformable, such that at least a portion of the build platform may be bent or tilted to separate the build platform from the 3D-printed object once the 3D-printing is completed. In some embodiments, a base assembly is adapted to magnetically move a build plate along a surface of the base assembly such that the build plate automatically self-aligns along a boundary of the base assembly and magnetically couples to the base assembly. In some embodiments, a build platform includes a flexible layer with a printable surface and a rigid layer coupled to the flexible layer so that applying a force on the flexible layer deforms a localized portion of the printable surface without deforming the rigid layer.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A build platform for a stereolithographic printer, comprising:
a removable build plate having a build surface for building three-dimensionally (3D)-printed objects on the build platform;
a base assembly removably coupled to the removable build plate; and
an alignment module including an electromagnet housed inside the base assembly adapted to magnetically move the removable build plate along a surface of the base assembly such that the removable build plate automatically self-aligns along a perimetrical edge of the base assembly and magnetically couples to the base assembly.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The build platform of claim 1, wherein the removable build plate includes a ferromagnetic surface that magnetically couples to the surface of the base assembly.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The build platform of claim 1, wherein the base assembly includes a raised edge adapted to register with and facilitate alignment of the removable build plate on the surface of the base assembly.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The build platform of claim 1, further comprising a sensor coupled to the base assembly and adapted to detect whether the removable build plate is coupled on the base assembly.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The build platform of claim 1, further comprising a sealing surface on the base assembly or the removable build plate that creates a seal between the removable build plate and the base assembly.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The build platform of claim 1, further comprising a sealing surface covering an edge of the removable build plate that creates a seal between the removable build plate and the base assembly.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The build platform of claim 1, wherein:
the removable build plate includes a tab extending from the flexible surface to facilitate manual placement or removal of the removable build plate on the base assembly; or
the base assembly includes a recessed edge along a side surface of the base assembly to facilitate manual placement or removal of the removable build plate.