Method For Improving Resolution In LCD Screen Based 3D Printers

A method of controlling a stereolithographic 3D printer having a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, the method comprising:

• dividing a 3D object represented by a data file into a plurality of slices;
• mapping each slice of the 3D object to a pixel layout of the LCD screen, the LCD screen comprising a plurality of pixels, with each pixel comprising a plurality of sub-pixels;
• determining a proportion of each pixel that is contained within each slice of the 3D object;
• assigning illumination values to the sub-pixels of each pixel based on the determined proportion for the respective pixel for each slice;
• and
• controlling illumination of the LCD screen in accordance with the assigned illumination values.

A method of three-dimensional (3D) printing comprising:

• creating a computer graphic file of a 3D structure divided into a plurality of two-dimensional slices;
• mapping each two-dimensional slice onto a two-dimensional grid of pixels associated with an LCD screen of a 3D printer, each pixel comprising three sub-pixels;
• identifying perimeter pixels corresponding to a perimeter of each two-dimensional slice;
• assigning a first value to sub-pixels of each perimeter pixel that are within the perimeter and a second value to sub-pixels of each perimeter pixel outside the perimeter;
• and
• selectively illuminating sub-pixels having the first value at a higher intensity than sub-pixels having the second value.