US 12,636,827 B2 · Stereolithography apparatus for improving planarity of a transparent sheet

Abstract

A 3D printing system includes a build vessel, a carriage, and a light engine. The build vessel includes a vessel base having a downward extending tension ring that tensions a transparent sheet. The transparent sheet laterally bounds a build plane that is defined over orthogonal lateral axis X and Y. The carriage includes a roller that extends between two opposing sides of the tension ring. The roller exerts an upward force on the transparent sheet and the two opposing sides of the tension ring. The vertical constraint of the roller biased against the tension ring provides a location and improved planarity of a supported portion of the transparent sheet adjacent to the roller. The light engine light engine is configured to selectively apply radiation to a projected area of the build plane through the supported portion of the transparent sheet.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system configured to manufacture a 3D article, the 3D printing system comprising:

a machine chassis including a vessel support;
a build vessel supported by the vessel support, the build vessel including:
a vessel base having a downward extending tension ring;
and
a transparent sheet that is tensioned over the tension ring and laterally bounds a build plane defined along orthogonal lateral axes X and Y of the 3D printing system;
a carriage including a roller that extends laterally below two opposing sides of the tension ring, wherein the roller engages and exerts an upward force upon the two opposing sides of the tension ring with the transparent sheet between the roller and the tension ring, the upward force of the roller against the tension ring constrains a vertical location of and improves planarity of a portion of the transparent sheet adjacent to and supported by the roller;
and
a light engine configured to selectively apply radiation to a projected area of the build plane through the supported portion of the transparent sheet.

5 more elements

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system configured to manufacture a 3D article, the 3D printing system comprising:

a machine chassis including a vessel support;
a build vessel supported by the vessel support, the build vessel including:
a vessel base having a downward extending tension ring;
and
a transparent sheet that is tensioned over the tension ring and laterally bounds a build plane defined along orthogonal lateral axes X and Y of the 3D printing system;
a carriage mounted to the vessel base by a linear bearing, the carriage including a roller mounted to the carriage by a pair of roller bearings located at opposed ends of the roller, the carriage including a spring that biases the roller upward, wherein the roller spans the build plane and presses upon laterally opposed portions of the tension ring that are laterally outside of the build plane;
and
a light engine configured to selectively apply radiation to an area of the build plane adjacent to the roller.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Stereolithography apparatus for improving planarity of a transparent sheet

Life of this patent

Stereolithography apparatus for improving planarity of a transparent sheet

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22