Skillful Three-Dimensional Printing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for printing a three-dimensional object, comprising:
- a platform and a bottom skin layer of hardened material that is a part of the three-dimensional object, wherein the bottom skin layer is disposed above the platform;
a material dispenser configured to dispense a pre-transformed material towards the platform though an opening, wherein the material dispenser is disposed adjacent to the platform;
an energy source configured to generate an energy beam that transforms at least a portion of the pre-transformed material in (b) at or adjacent to the platform, wherein the energy source is disposed adjacent to the platform; and
one or more controllers operatively coupled to the material bed, the material dispenser and the energy source, which one or more controllers are individually or collectively programmed to;
(A) direct the material dispenser to dispense a pre-transformed material at or above the bottom skin layer, and(B) direct the energy beam to;
(I) transform the pre-transformed material and form a first portion at or above the bottom skin layer, which first portion has a first lateral cross section; and
(II) increase a temperature of a second portion that (a) is part of the bottom skin layer and (b) has a second lateral cross section that at least partially overlaps the first lateral cross section, to at least a target temperature value that is at least one of (i) above the solidus temperature and below the liquidus temperature of the material of the bottom skin layer, and (ii) at a temperature at which the material of the bottom skin layer in the second portion plastically yields.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure various apparatuses, and systems for 3D printing. The present disclosure provides three-dimensional (3D) printing methods, apparatuses, software and systems for a step and repeat energy irradiation process; controlling material characteristics and/or deformation of the 3D object; reducing deformation in a printed 3D object; and planarizing a material bed.
72 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for printing a three-dimensional object, comprising:
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a platform and a bottom skin layer of hardened material that is a part of the three-dimensional object, wherein the bottom skin layer is disposed above the platform; a material dispenser configured to dispense a pre-transformed material towards the platform though an opening, wherein the material dispenser is disposed adjacent to the platform; an energy source configured to generate an energy beam that transforms at least a portion of the pre-transformed material in (b) at or adjacent to the platform, wherein the energy source is disposed adjacent to the platform; and one or more controllers operatively coupled to the material bed, the material dispenser and the energy source, which one or more controllers are individually or collectively programmed to; (A) direct the material dispenser to dispense a pre-transformed material at or above the bottom skin layer, and (B) direct the energy beam to; (I) transform the pre-transformed material and form a first portion at or above the bottom skin layer, which first portion has a first lateral cross section; and (II) increase a temperature of a second portion that (a) is part of the bottom skin layer and (b) has a second lateral cross section that at least partially overlaps the first lateral cross section, to at least a target temperature value that is at least one of (i) above the solidus temperature and below the liquidus temperature of the material of the bottom skin layer, and (ii) at a temperature at which the material of the bottom skin layer in the second portion plastically yields. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for printing a three-dimensional object, comprising:
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a container configured to support a material bed comprising an exposed surface, a pre-transformed material, and a bottom skin layer of hardened material, wherein at least a fraction of the pre-transformed material is disposed above the bottom skin layer, wherein the bottom skin layer is part of the three-dimensional object; an energy source for generating an energy beam that is configured to transform at least a portion of the at least a fraction of the pre-transformed material to a transformed material as part of the three-dimensional object, wherein the energy source is disposed adjacent to the material bed; and one or more controllers operatively coupled to the material bed, the layer dispensing mechanism and the energy source, which one or more controllers are individually or collectively programmed to direct the energy beam to; (I) transform the at least a portion of the pre-transformed material to a first portion of transformed material, which first portion has a first lateral cross section; and (II) increase a temperature of a second portion that (a) is part of the bottom skin layer and (b) has a second lateral cross section that overlaps the first lateral cross section, to at least a target temperature value that is at least one of (i) above the solidus temperature and below the liquidus temperature of the material of the bottom skin layer, and (ii) at a temperature at which the material of the bottom skin layer in the second portion plastically yields. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for printing a three-dimensional object, comprising:
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a platform and a bottom skin layer of hardened material disposed above the platform; a material dispenser configured to dispense a pre-transformed material towards a target surface though an opening of the material dispenser, wherein the material dispenser is disposed adjacent to the target surface; an energy source configured to generate an energy beam that transforms at least a portion of the pre-transformed material at or adjacent to the target surface, wherein the energy source is disposed adjacent to the target surface; and one or more controllers operatively coupled to the material bed and the energy source, wherein the one or more controllers are individually or collectively programmed to; (I) direct the energy beam to transform the at least a portion of the pre-transformed material at or adjacent to the target surface to a transformed material disposed above the bottom skin layer, and (II) control at least one characteristics of the energy beam such that a temperature of the three-dimensional object at the bottom skin layer below the portion is at least one of (i) above the solidus temperature and below the liquidus temperature of the bottom skin layer material, and (ii) at temperature at which a material in the bottom skin layer plastically yields. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for printing a three-dimensional object, comprising:
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a container configured to support a material bed comprising an exposed surface, a pre-transformed material, and a bottom skin layer of hardened material, wherein at least a fraction of the pre-transformed material is disposed above the bottom skin layer, wherein the bottom skin layer is part of the three-dimensional object; an energy source configured to generate an energy beam that transforms at least a portion of the at least a fraction of the pre-transformed material to a transformed material as part of the three-dimensional object, wherein the energy source is disposed adjacent to the material bed; and one or more controllers operatively coupled to the material bed and the energy source, which one or more controllers are individually or collectively programmed to; (I) transform the at least a portion of the pre-transformed material to a first portion of transformed material, and (II) control at least one characteristics of the energy beam such that a temperature of the three-dimensional object at the bottom skin layer below the first portion is at least one of (i) above the solidus temperature and below the liquidus temperature of the bottom skin layer material, and (ii) at temperature at which a material in the bottom skin layer plastically yields. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification