Tethon Corporation

Walter Bircher

Karen A Linder

James R Linder

John Balistreri

Gregory C Pugh

Greg Pugh

Justin C Douglas

An additive-manufacturing resin vat system can include a resin vat, a flexible plastic film, a transparent support window, a transparent conductive coating, a support tray, and a set of metal contacts. The resin vat can carry a resin-print material mixture. The flexible plastic film can mechanically seal to a bottom of the resin vat. The transparent support window can support the flexible plastic film. The transparent conductive coating can be formed on at least one side of the transparent support window. The support tray can define an outer tray portion and an open tray interior, the outer tray portion carrying the transparent support window. The metal contacts can be carried by the outer tray portion and configured to electrically couple with the transparent conductive coating. The transparent conductive coating is configured to generate heat upon receiving an electrical current via the metal contacts.

Three-dimensional printer resin vat with heated support window

Three-dimensional (3D) printing systems include a 3D printer that includes a print bed that has one or more walls arranged to enclose a basin configured to contain a printing material. A compression plate is configured to fit slidably within, or on top surfaces of, the one or more walls of the print bed. A bottom plate forms a base of the basin and is configured to fit slidably within the one or more walls of the print bed. An elevation controller moves one or both of the compression plate and the bottom plate towards each other to apply a specified compressive force on printing material within the basin. The compression plate and the bottom plate together seal the basin sufficiently to avoid leakage of the print material from the basin.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing

Growing community of inventors

Omaha, NE, United States of America

Walter Bircher