Carbon, Inc.

Carbon3d, Inc.

Nikita Ermoshkin

Edward T Samulski

Alexander Ermoshkin

Joseph M DeSimone

David Shirvanyants

Nordstrom Kirk Phelps

Joseph Desimone

Robert K Pinschmidt, Jr

Soren Rademacher

Zachary Polizzi

Joseph M Desimone

Described herein are methods, systems and apparatus (including associated control methods, systems and apparatus), for the production of a three-dimensional object by 'bottom up' additive manufacturing, in which a carrier is vertically reciprocated with respect to a build surface, to enhance or speed the refilling of the build region with a solidifiable liquid. In preferred (but not necessarily limiting) embodiments, the three-dimensional object is produced from a liquid interface by continuous liquid interface production (i.e., “CLIP”).

Three-dimensional printing with reciprocal feeding of polymerizable liquid

A method of forming a three-dimensional object is carried out by providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid; irradiating the build region through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer from the polymerizable liquid and advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form the three-dimensional object from the solid polymer, while also concurrently with the irradiating and/or advancing steps: (i) continuously maintaining a dead zone of polymerizable liquid in contact with the build surface, and (ii) continuously maintaining a gradient of polymerization zone between the dead zone and the solid polymer and in contact with each thereof. The gradient of polymerization zone comprises the polymerizable liquid in partially cured form (e.g., so that the formation of fault or cleavage lines between layers of solid polymer in the three-dimensional object is reduced). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

Continuous liquid interphase printing

Described herein are methods, systems and apparatus (including associated control methods, systems and apparatus), for the production of a three-dimensional object by 'bottom up' additive manufacturing, in which a carrier is vertically reciprocated with respect to a build surface, to enhance or speed the refilling of the build region with a solidifiable liquid. In preferred (but not necessarily limiting) embodiments, the three-dimensional object is produced from a liquid interface by continuous liquid interface production (i.e., 'CLIP').

A method of making a three-dimensional object is carried out by: (a) providing an apparatus comprising a radiation source, a carrier on which the three dimensional object is made, and a movable belt positioned therebetween, the belt having a first surface and an opposite second surface, with the belt comprised of an optically transparent material, and with the belt permeable to a polymerization inhibitor; (b) applying a polymerizable liquid to the first surface of the belt, and contacting the second surface of the belt to the polymerization inhibitor, (c) contacting a portion of the belt first surface having the polymerizable liquid thereon to the carrier or the three dimensional object so that the belt adheres thereto with the polymerizable liquid positioned therebetween; (d) irradiating the polymerizable liquid with actinic radiation through the belt from the radiation source to polymerize the polymerizable liquid positioned therebetween; then (e) optionally separating the belt from the carrier or the three dimensional object; and then (f) repeating steps (b) through (e) until the three dimensional object is completed. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

Method and apparatus for three-dimensional fabrication

A method of forming a three-dimensional object, is carried out by (a) providing a carrier and a build plate, the build plate comprising a semipermeable member, the semipermeable member comprising a build surface with the build surface and the carrier defining a build region therebetween, and with the build surface in fluid communication by way of the semipermeable member with a source of polymerization inhibitor; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid contacting the build surface; (c) irradiating the build region through the build plate to produce a solid polymerized region in the build region, while forming or maintaining a liquid film release layer comprised of the polymerizable liquid formed between the solid polymerized region and the build surface, the polymerization of which liquid film is inhibited by the polymerization inhibitor; and (d) advancing the carrier with the polymerized region adhered thereto away from the build surface on the build plate to create a subsequent build region between the polymerized region and the build surface; (e) wherein the carrier has at least one channel formed therein, and the filling step is carried out by passing or forcing the polymerizable liquid into the build region through the at least one channel. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

Method for three-dimensional fabrication with feed-through carrier

Described herein are methods and apparatus for the production of a three-dimensional object by 'bottom up' additive manufacturing, in which a carrier () is vertically reciprocated with respect to a build surface, to enhance or speed the refilling of the build region with a solidifiable liquid. In preferred embodiments, the three-dimensional object is produced from a liquid interface by continuous liquid interface production (i.e., 'CLIP').

Method for three-dimensional fabrication with feed through carrier

A method of forming a three-dimensional object, comprises providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid; irradiating the build region through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer from the polymerizable liquid while concurrently advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form the three-dimensional object from the solid polymer, while also concurrently: (i) continuously maintaining a dead zone of polymerizable liquid in contact with the build surface, and (ii) continuously maintaining a gradient of polymerization zone between the dead zone and the solid polymer and in contact with each thereof, the gradient of polymerization zone comprising the polymerizable liquid in partially cured form. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

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Pittsboro, NC, United States of America

Nikita Ermoshkin