Formlabs, Inc.

Ben FrantzDale

Steven Thomas

Nicholas M Sohn

Maxim Lobovsky

Konstantinos Oikonomopoulos

Ian Ferguson

Alexander Nolet

According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers are formed on a build platform, each layer contacting a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer, the method comprising calculating, using at least one processor, one or more forces to be applied to a first layer of the plurality of layers subsequent to the first layer being formed, said calculating being based at least in part on a determined area of at least one portion of the first layer that overhangs a second layer of the plurality of layers, forming the first layer, the first layer being in contact with the container and in contact with a previously formed layer of the plurality of layers, and separating the first layer from the container by applying the calculated one or more forces to the first layer.

Techniques for additive fabrication process optimization and related systems and methods

According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a build platform, the method comprising forming a layer of material in contact with a substrate and further in contact with either a previously formed layer of material or the build platform, the substrate being an actinically transparent, flexible, composite material, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of the material, actively separating the layer of material from the substrate.

Systems and methods of flexible substrates for additive fabrication

According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication is provided wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a surface of a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the surface of the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The method comprises forming a layer of material in contact with the container and in contact with a previously formed layer of material, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of the material, separating the layer of material from the container by simultaneously applying a first force to the layer of the material in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the build platform, and a second force to the layer of the material in a direction parallel to the surface of the build platform.

According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided. The additive fabrication device may be configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material, and may comprise a build platform, a container, and a plurality of mechanical linkages each independently coupled to the container and configured to move the container relative to the build platform.

Techniques for applying a peel operation during additive fabrication and related systems and methods

According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The additive fabrication device may comprise a container and a wiper, wherein the wiper comprises a wiper arm and a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm using a pivoting coupling.

Techniques for surface preparation during additive fabrication and related systems and methods

According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a build platform is provided. The method may comprise forming a layer of material in contact with a container, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of material, rotating the container relative to the build platform and moving the build platform relative to the container, thereby creating an effective fulcrum about an axis, wherein the rotating of the container and moving of the build platform causes the layer of material to separate from the container. According to some embodiments, the container may be configured to rotate about a fixed axis. According to some embodiments, moving the build platform may comprise moving the build platform toward the container.

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Harvard, MA, United States of America

Ben FrantzDale