Apparatus and method for generating a 3D structure

An apparatus for generating a three-dimensional structure using a solidifiable material (M), comprising:

• a. a drum providing a support surface and having a drum axis, wherein the drum is configured to carry on the support surface the three-dimensional structure to be generated;
• b. a container for receiving the solidifiable material;
• c. a first irradiating element located within the drum and configured to emit irradiation, through said support surface, in an irradiation area in the solidifiable material, between the support surface and the container to solidify the solidifiable material;
• wherein the drum is configured to allow said irradiation to pass through the support surface;
• wherein the support surface is arranged at a predetermined distance of a wall of the container, the first irradiating element being located above the wall of the container,
• wherein the apparatus comprises a first mover configured to rotate the drum around the drum axis, and a second mover configured to translate the drum relative to the wall, such that the drum axis is moved parallel relative to the wall of the container whilst rotating the drum around the drum axis, wherein the first mover and the second mover are configured to translate and rotate the support surface relative to the wall, such that for each degree of rotation of the support surface, the support surface is translated relative to the wall over a distance which is within 10% of a value calculated as π multiplied with the outer diameter (d) of the support surface divided by 360 (π*d/360),
• wherein the apparatus comprises an adjuster configured to change a distance between the first irradiating element and the support surface, and
• wherein the apparatus comprises a controller configured to control the first and second movers, the first irradiating element, and the adjuster, such that multiple layers of solidified material are formed to generate a three-dimensional structure on the drum.

An apparatus for generating a three-dimensional structure using a solidifiable material (M), comprising:

• a. a drum providing a support surface and having a drum axis, wherein the drum is configured to carry on the support surface the three-dimensional structure to be generated;
• b. a container for receiving the solidifiable material;
• c. a first irradiating element located within the drum and configured to emit irradiation, through said support surface, in an irradiation area in the solidifiable material, between the support surface and the container to solidify the solidifiable material at the support surface;
• wherein the drum is configured to allow said irradiation to pass through the support surface;
• wherein the apparatus comprises a first adjuster configured to change a distance between a wall of the container and the support surface, the first irradiating element being located above the wall of the container,
• wherein the apparatus comprises a first mover configured to rotate the drum around the drum axis, and a second mover configured to translate the drum relative to the wall, such that the drum axis is moved parallel relative to the wall of the container whilst rotating the drum around the drum axis, wherein the first mover and the second mover are configured to translate and rotate the drum relative to the wall, such that for each degree of rotation of the support surface, the support surface is translated relative to the wall over a distance which is within 10% of a value calculated as x multiplied with the outer diameter (d) of the support surface divided by 360 (π*d/360),
• wherein the apparatus comprises a controller configured to control the first and second movers, the adjuster, and the first irradiating element, such that multiple layers of solidified material are formed,
• wherein the apparatus comprises a second adjuster configured to change a distance between the first irradiating element and the support surface, wherein the controller is configured to control the first and the second adjuster so that a distance between the wall and the first irradiating element remains the same during the forming of the multiple layers.