Computer numerical control (CNC) additive manufacturing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for additive manufacturing, the system comprising:
- a storage device;
a processing system connected to the storage device; and
a program stored in the storage device that causes the processing system to perform functions, including to;
cause a light emitting tool within a tank of uncured resin that emits light at an intensity sufficient to cure portions of the uncured resin to move in a desired path, thereby causing portions of the uncured resin to cure along the desired path; and
control the attachment force of resin cured by the light emitting tool by adjusting the gap between the light emitting tool and previously cured resin or by adjusting the speed at which the light emitting tool is moved;
orcontrol the shape of the cured resin by rotating the light emitting tool about multiple axes.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An additive manufacturing system and process are described. In one example of the invention, a fiber optic cable connected with an ultraviolet (UV) LED and related lens forms an accumulation tool. The cable is then merged inside a tank filled with liquid resin that is UV-curable. By controlling the on/off state of the UV-LED and the multi-axis motion of the cable, a physical model, having a desired shape, can be built by selectively curing liquid resin into solid.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A system for additive manufacturing, the system comprising:
-
a storage device; a processing system connected to the storage device; and a program stored in the storage device that causes the processing system to perform functions, including to; cause a light emitting tool within a tank of uncured resin that emits light at an intensity sufficient to cure portions of the uncured resin to move in a desired path, thereby causing portions of the uncured resin to cure along the desired path; and control the attachment force of resin cured by the light emitting tool by adjusting the gap between the light emitting tool and previously cured resin or by adjusting the speed at which the light emitting tool is moved;
orcontrol the shape of the cured resin by rotating the light emitting tool about multiple axes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
8. A system for additive manufacturing, the system comprising:
-
a light source; a waveguide having a proximal end disposed to receive light from the light source and a distal end; a reservoir for holding a curable material; a coating on the distal end of the waveguide that reduces attachment force between the distal end of the waveguide and material cured by light emitted from the distal end of the waveguide; and a computer numerical control system that; causes the distal end of the waveguide to move in a desired path while material in its vicinity is cured by light emitted by the distal end of the waveguide; and controls the attachment force of resin cured by the light by adjusting the gap between the waveguide and previously cured resin or by adjusting the speed at which the waveguide is moved;
orcontrols the shape of the cured resin by rotating the waveguide about multiple axes. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method of additive manufacturing comprising moving a light emitting tool within a tank of uncured resin in a desired path while the light emitting tool emits light at an intensity sufficient to cure portions of the uncured resin, thereby causing portions of the uncured resin to cure along the desired path, and by:
-
controlling the attachment force of resin cured by the light emitting tool by adjusting the gap between the light emitting tool and previously cured resin or by adjusting the speed at which the light emitting tool is moved;
orcontrolling the shape of the cured resin by rotating the light emitting tool about multiple axes. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification