Formlabs, Inc.

Dmitri Megretski

Benjamin FrantzDale

Maxim Lobovsky

Shane Wighton

Adam Damiano

Andrew M Goldman

Christian Reed

Alexander Nolet

Konstantinos Oikonomopoulos

Justin Keenan

Zachary Zguris

Ben FrantzDale

Henry Whitney

Eric Van Albert

Michael Fogleman

Jack Moldave

Robert Joachim

Maximilian Zieringer

Manuel Odendahl

Hugh L Medal

Alec Rudd

Jacob Sanchez

James Loomis

A method includes curing a photopolymer resin disposed between a first build surface and a flexible film layer to form a print layer of a printed part. Here, the print layer of the printed part defines a second build surface attached to the flexible film layer. The method also includes translating a peeling mechanism between the second build surface and the flexible film layer to detach the flexible film layer from the second build surface.

Blade assist part peel for additive manufacturing

A multi-component print surface and associated additive manufacturing methods are generally described.

Additive manufacturing devices including a multi-component print surface and related methods

Techniques for producing a flat film surface in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, a movable stage may be arranged beneath a container having a base that includes a flexible film. The movable stage may include a segmented member in which a number of segments are aligned along a common axis. The segmented member may maintain contact with the flexible film as the movable stage moves beneath the container, with the segmented member producing a flat surface of the flexible film, at least within a region above the movable stage. According to some embodiments, multiple segmented members may be provided within the movable stage, such as in parallel with one another.

Techniques for producing a flat film surface in additive fabrication and related systems and methods

Techniques for directing light from a movable stage in an additive fabrication device are provided. According to some aspects, the movable stage may include a parabolic mirror onto which light may be directed at various different incident angles to produce light along different positions along an axis. In some cases, this axis may be perpendicular to a direction of motion of the movable stage.

Techniques for directing light from a movable stage in additive fabrication and related systems and methods

Techniques for force sensing in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device may include a force sensor configured to measure a force applied to a build platform during fabrication. A length of time taken for a layer of material to separate from a surface other than the build platform to which it is adhered may be determined based on measurements from the force sensor. Subsequent additive fabrication operations, such as subsequent motion of the build platform, may be adapted based on the determined length of time.

Techniques for force sensing in additive fabrication and related systems and methods

According to some aspects, techniques are provided to more accurately produce fine features in additive fabrication. According to some embodiments, the techniques comprise a process that amplifies exposure to edges and thin positive features whilst not substantially affecting negative features. In particular, an area to be cured may be adapted using signal processing techniques to produce an energy density map. The area may subsequently be cured according to the generated energy density map by, for example, adjusting the scan speed, light power and/or number of passes of the light beam according to the map. As a result, the net exposure to edges and thin positive features may be amplified.

Techniques for optimizing photopolymer cure energy in additive fabrication

According to some aspects, an additive fabrication apparatus is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a supporting liquid or a film disposed within a container, in addition to the build platform, a liquid photopolymer, and/or a previously formed layer of a material. The additive fabrication apparatus may comprise a container and a leveling element, wherein the leveling element is configured to move across a liquid-liquid interface to promote or create a flat interface between the two liquids. According to some aspects, the additive fabrication comprises a film disposed between two liquids, wherein the film maintains or provides a flat surface at the interface of the two liquids.

Liquid interface techniques for additive fabrication and related systems and methods

Multi-film containers for use in additive fabrication devices are provided. According to some aspects, a container may include multiple films that are at least partially detached from one another. In some embodiments, the multiple films may include films formed from different materials. As one example, an upper film may be formed so as to be relatively impermeable to substances within a source material of an additive fabrication device, whereas a lower film may be formed so as to provide desirable mechanical properties. In some cases, the multiple films may be commonly tensioned while being unattached to one another.

Multi-film containers for additive fabrication and related systems and methods

The present application relates generally to photopolymer blends and related methods for use in an additive fabrication (e.g., 3-dimensional printing) device. According to some aspects, compositions are provided for the modification of a base photopolymer resin. The compositions may comprise colorant agent and/or cure-modifying composition. The compositions may be selected to cause, when combined with the base photopolymer resin to form a photo-curable composition, at least one property (e.g., color, depth of the cure) of the photo-curable composition to fall within a pre-determined range. Related kits and methods are also generally described.

Photopolymer blends and related methods

Techniques for measuring a position of a build platform in an additive fabrication device are provided. Such techniques may include detecting the onset and/or dissipation of force applied to a build platform as it moves from being in contact with, to being out of contact with, a container. In some embodiments, the techniques described herein may be applied in a stereolithographic additive fabrication device. According to some embodiments, measurement of forces applied to a build platform may be used to provide for reliable and consistent measurements of the height of the build platform relative to a container by measuring such forces at various positions of the build platform and analyzing the pattern of the forces with distance from the container.

Position detection techniques for additive fabrication and related systems and methods

According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided comprising a container removably attached to the additive fabrication device, and a detector configured to sense a fluid level of photopolymer resin within the container, wherein said detector does not contact said container.

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Carlisle, MA, United States of America

Dmitri Megretski