3d Systems, Inc.

Nickalaus Podgursky

Martin Johnson

Leigh Herran

Andrew R Miller

Jessica Lisagor

Khalil M Moussa

Andrew Enslow

Chris Roberts Manners

Daniel Alonzo

Terry Wilkes

Jenny Reilly

A three dimensional printing system includes a controller that is configured to (1) receive an incoming slice data array that defines an initial two dimensional object having an initial outer boundary; (2) process the incoming slice data array to define a simple outer boundary whereby if the object has two portions defining a channel therebetween, the channel is reduced or eliminated thereby reducing a perimeter of the outer boundary. In one embodiment the object is two objects. If the channel is defined between the two objects, then the processing merges the two objects. If the channel is a concave recess within one object, then the processing reduces the depth of or eliminates the concave recess.

Three dimensional printer processing image information to provide optimized mechanical control signals

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system for manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a resin vessel for containing a volume of photocurable resin having a resin upper surface, an imaging system configured to define a build plane, a build plate having a build plate upper surface, a build plate positioner, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a fluid-related vertical position of one or more of the resin upper surface and a component of a volume compensator (VC), and a controller. The controller is configured to (1) operate the build plate positioner to vertically translate build plate upper surface, (2) concurrent with operating the build plate positioner, receiving the signal from the sensor, (3) analyze the signal to determine a build plate geometric signature, and (4) determine or suspend a build plan for building the 3D article based upon the determined geometric signature.

System and method for determining a build plan based upon an analyzed build plate geometric signature

Thermoplastic 3D objects are printed directly onto permeable materials with a high strength bond. The 3D object can be attached to the permeable material at one side where the bottom layer of the 3D object can be attached to the permeable material or alternatively, at an internal layer where portions of the 3D object are on opposite sides of the permeable material. In order to improve the adhesion of the 3D object to the permeable material, the bonding layer of the liquid thermoplastic material that is printed directly onto the permeable material can be deposited at modified 3D printer settings that can include a hotter than normal material deposition temperature. Additional build layers of the liquid thermoplastic material are printed on the bonding layer to complete the 3D objects.

System and method for 3D printing on permeable materials

Methods of 3D printing an object with reduced curl on at least one surface that contacts a print plate are described herein. For example, in some embodiments, a method of 3D printing an object comprises depositing build material to form a first layer of a 3D printed object and depositing build material in a predetermined pattern to form a first layer of a skirt in contact with the 3D printed object. Depositing build material to form the first layer of the skirt comprises 3D printing a first layer of a sidewalk that substantially surrounds at least a portion of a perimeter of the 3D printed object and 3D printing a first layer of a perforated interface between the sidewalk and the perimeter of the skirt.

Methods and devices for counteracting stresses during 3D printing

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Huntersville, NC, United States of America

Nickalaus Podgursky