Methods of additive manufacturing of an article corresponding with an array of data values
AssigneeAtheneum Optical Sciences, LLC
InventorsW. Anthony Martin, Ganesh Narayanan Kumar, Randall Pugh
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Abstract
Methods for additive manufacture of an article corresponding with one or more arrays of data values. The article may include, for example, an optical lens, such as a contact lens or an intraocular lens. The methods include generating an array of data values and emitting droplets of polymerizable mixture in a pattern corresponding with the arrays of data values. After receiving the droplets of polymerizable mixture on a receiving surface, the droplets are integrated and pinned via exposure to actinic conditions. Two or more patterns of droplets may be combined on the receiving surface to form a combined volume of polymerizable mixture and cured.
Claims26
A method of forming an article via an additive manufacturing process, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. generating one or more arrays of data values;
- b. selecting one or more of the generated arrays of data values as a selected array;
- c. emitting a first set of multiple droplets of polymerizable mixture in a first pattern from a printhead during a first pass of the printhead relative to a receiving surface, the first pattern corresponding to the selected array of data values;
- d. receiving the first set of multiple droplets of polymerizable mixture onto the receiving surface;
- e. pinning at least some of the first set of multiple droplets of polymerizable mixture on the receiving surface;
- f. emitting a second set of multiple droplets of polymerizable mixture in a second pattern from a printhead during a second pass of the printhead relative to the receiving surface, the second pattern corresponding to the selected array of data values;
- g. receiving at least some of the second set of multiple droplets of polymerizable mixture onto the first set of multiple droplets of polymerizable mixture pinned on the receiving surface;
- h. integrating the second set of multiple droplets of polymerizable mixture with the first set of multiple droplets of polymerizable mixture to form a combined volume of polymerizable mixture;
- i. pinning at least some of the second set of multiple droplets of polymerizable mixture;
- and
- j. curing the combined volume of polymerizable mixture.
A method of forming an article via an additive manufacturing process, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. generating an array of data values;
- b. emitting a pattern of multiple droplets of polymerizable mixture from a printhead which corresponds to the array of data values;
- c. receiving the pattern of multiple droplets of polymerizable mixture onto a receiving surface;
- d. integrating at least a portion of the pattern of multiple droplets of polymerizable mixture on the receiving surface, to form a combined volume of polymerizable mixture;
- e. pinning the combined volume of polymerizable mixture on the receiving surface;
- and
- f. curing the combined volume of polymerizable mixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.