3D printing using spiral buildup
First Claim
1. A method for building a 3D structure by a continuous or semi-continuous build procedure, comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a build platform spaced from and separate from, but substantially parallel to, a substrate, said build platform and/or substrate rotatable multiple 360°
turns,b. continuously depositing a flowable build material on the substrate in a space between the substrate and the build platform,c. said build material solidifying or treated to solidify such that portions of said build material are selectively first solidified to form a first layer of solidified build material attached to said build platform but not the substrate, andd. continuously or semi-continuously depositing additional build material on the substrate in the space between the substrate, said solidified build material attached to said build platform, said build material solidifying such that additional portions of said build material are adhered to prior solidified build material attached to the build platform;
wherein said build platform and/or substrate is rotated continuously or semi-continuously during the deposition of build material on the build platform such that the distance between the build platform and the substrate is continuously increased throughout each 360°
rotation of the build platform and/or substrate, said build platform and/or substrate rotating multiple 360°
turns during the building of said 3D structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, devices and systems for efficient 3D printing that address conventional inefficiencies while utilizing a single compact device are set forth. Some embodiments utilize a circular-shaped build area revolving symmetrically around a single center point utilizing a continuous helical printing process. In one embodiment a liquid photopolymer for solidification is deposited on a build platform to form the physical object The Build platform is continuously rotated and simultaneously raised in a gradual programmed manner. Focused from below the platform produces a single continuous “layer” of material deposited and bonded in a helical fashion.
25 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for building a 3D structure by a continuous or semi-continuous build procedure, comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a build platform spaced from and separate from, but substantially parallel to, a substrate, said build platform and/or substrate rotatable multiple 360°
turns,b. continuously depositing a flowable build material on the substrate in a space between the substrate and the build platform, c. said build material solidifying or treated to solidify such that portions of said build material are selectively first solidified to form a first layer of solidified build material attached to said build platform but not the substrate, and d. continuously or semi-continuously depositing additional build material on the substrate in the space between the substrate, said solidified build material attached to said build platform, said build material solidifying such that additional portions of said build material are adhered to prior solidified build material attached to the build platform; wherein said build platform and/or substrate is rotated continuously or semi-continuously during the deposition of build material on the build platform such that the distance between the build platform and the substrate is continuously increased throughout each 360°
rotation of the build platform and/or substrate, said build platform and/or substrate rotating multiple 360°
turns during the building of said 3D structure.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for formation of three-dimensional structures in a vertical orientation by the continuous deposition and solidification of a build material comprising:
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providing a construction frame, a substrate and build platform located within an area defined by said construction frame and providing a construction area between the substrate and the build platform, both the substrate and build platform positioned horizontally within and substantially parallel to each other within the construction frame, the construction frame configured to build a solidified 3D structure in the construction area, said build platform spaced from said substrate a first defined distance, providing at least one material dispenser with a flowable build material in said material dispenser, dispensing said flowable build material into the construction area, the material dispenser delivering the flowable build material onto an exposure zone of a surface of the substrate, continuously or semi-continuously moving said build platform within said construction frame while rotating said build platform multiple 360°
rotations so as to provide a continuously increasing defined distance between said build platform and substrate in each 360°
rotation of said build platform,the build material solidifying or caused to solidify after dispensing into the construction area between the substrate and the build platform, the solidifying build material retained on the build platform as the build platform rotates within the construction frame and moves said increasing defined distance. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for building a 3D structure by a continuous or semi-continuous buildup procedure, comprising:
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providing at least one material dispenser for delivery of a solidifyable liquid; providing a material solidification source, said source causing said liquid to solidify, providing a build platform, and a construction area spaced from said build platform, said construction area having an exposure zone, the exposure zone located in a surface positioned facing the build platform, said surface and said build platform being positioned in substantially parallel planes delivering the solidifyable liquid to said construction area and delivering the solidification source to the solidifyable liquid through the exposure zone, so as to form solidified material, wherein said build platform is configured to rotate multiple 360°
turns in relationship to the construction area and continuously or semi-continuously increase, in each 360°
rotation, the size of the construction area, said solidified material delivered to said construction area being retained on the lower surface of the build platform. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification