Programmed material consolidation systems employing object release elements securable to platens for facilitating removal of fabricated objects therefrom

Abstract

A programmable material consolidation system includes a platen and an object release element on the platen. The object release element includes a lower surface configured to be secured to the platen and readily removed from the platen. An adhesive coating, which may cover at least a portion of the lower surface, may be formed from a material, such as a radiation-curable polymer, that is tacky when in an uncured state and not as tacky when in a substantially cured state. A nonstick coating on the platen may facilitate ready removal of the object release element therefrom. An upper surface of the object release element may include a material to which an object will adhere, but which may be readily removed from the object once fabrication thereof is complete.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.