Solventum Intellectual Properties Company

Leif J Erickson

Malte Korten

Christian A Richter

Bastian P Kirchner

Gareth A Hughes

Benjamin C MacMurray

Kyle C Picha

Nicholas S Wren

Matthew T Lingscheit

Jesse J Gilles

Eric H Tsai

The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods for manufacturing three-dimensional objects. Each additive manufacturing apparatus () includes: a) a reservoir () for receiving hardenable material; b) a first movable light engine () providing a first light radiation configuration; a second light engine () providing a second light radiation configuration that is different than the first light radiation configuration; and d) a light altering structure (). The light altering structure is located between the reservoir and light radiated from at least one of the first movable light engine or the second light engine. The first movable light engine is configured to radiate light onto a first focal plane () within the reservoir containing the hardenable material and the second light engine is configured to radiate light onto a second focal plane () within the reservoir containing the hardenable material. The method includes: a) obtaining a hardenable material disposed in a reservoir; b) selectively radiating light having a first light radiation configuration from a first movable light engine; and c) selectively radiating light having a second light radiation configuration from a second light engine onto a second focal plane within the hardenable material. The apparatuses and methods can advantageously form objects having different resolutions on demand using the same apparatus, plus optionally can blend light from multiple light engines.

Additive manufacturing apparatus including two light engines and a light altering structure and a method of additive manufacturing a three-dimensional object

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Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

Leif J Erickson