Abstract: A method of fabricating a three-dimensional article comprises providing a spatially coherent light source (101, 201), generating from the light source (101, 201), patterns of light based on computed tomographic projections of the three-dimensional article, and projecting the patterns of light into a photoresponsive medium. The projecting is configured to define a three-dimensional dose distribution, thereby locally altering the phase of the photoresponsive medium and creating the article.

Abstract: Photoresponsive materials for use with a volumetric additive manufacturing system are described herein. Some embodiments of photoresponsive materials described herein include at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of (i) a thiol-containing siloxane prepolymer, (ii) a vinyl-containing siloxane prepolymer, (iii) a reinforcing filler, (iv) a photoinitiator (v) a polymerization inhibitor. Various methods of using the same photoresponsive materials in additive manufacturing processes, such as volumetric additive manufacturing, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention describes an imaging system that allows visualization of a wide range of samples both in terms of morphology and in terms of material (e.g. density distribution, varying chemical composition, or anything that induces a change of optical path). The application of this imaging system includes absorptive samples as well as nearly and fully transparent samples with respect to the wavelength of illumination. Two elements are key in this system: the use of a so-called lock-in camera, and the synchronization of the recording to a modulation of choice along the image forming apparatus. Such modulation can consist for example in modulation of the illumination, use of filters, tilt/rotation of the sample or of certain microscope components.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system and method to obtain a set of corrected projected patterns from an integrated 3D measurement system so that the solidification of the formed object appears at the same time in a volumetric printer such as a tomographic back-projection or multi-beam printer, hence ensuring that the object is formed with the highest fidelity and spatial resolution.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of digitally compensating distortions of rays of a light beam in tomography-based additive manufacturing, wherein said tomography-based additive manufacturing involves projecting light patterns from multiple angles into a container (22) comprising photoresponsive material, by simulating the path of the light rays through the container (22) and the photoresponsive material; and digitally compensating the light projections based on the simulated path of the light rays, so as to obtain modified light projections. The present invention is also related to a method and apparatus for preparing an object (24) in tomography-based additive manufacturing, employing said distortion compensation method.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional object comprising computing a sequence of back-projections describing the three-dimensional object to be formed from different orientation angles of the object, defining a sequence of patterns of light using the back-projections, and irradiating with each of the patterns of light at the respective corresponding orientation angle. According to the defined sequence, a photoresponsive material is capable of altering its material phase, upon irradiation by light, thereby creating a three-dimensional distribution of alterations within the photoresponsive medium which physically reproduces the three-dimensional object, thereby creating the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for the volumetric fabrication of three-dimensional objects or articles from photoresponsive materials loaded with scattering particles, by adjusting the refractive index of said photoresponsive material (12) so as to match the refractive index of said scattering particles (30), and/or using a light source emitting light of a wavelength longer than 630 nm, preferably in a range from 630 nm to 1050 nm, more preferably in a range from 650 nm to 900 nm.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a three-dimensional article comprises providing a spatially coherent light source (101, 201), generating from the light source (101, 201), patterns of light based on computed tomographic projections of the three-dimensional article, and projecting the patterns of light into a photoresponsive medium. The projecting is configured to define a three-dimensional dose distribution, thereby locally altering the phase of the photoresponsive medium and creating the article.

Abstract: Photoresponsive materials for use with a volumetric additive manufacturing system are described herein. Some embodiments of photoresponsive materials described herein include at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of (i) a thiol-containing siloxane prepolymer, (ii) a vinyl-containing siloxane prepolymer, (iii) a reinforcing filler, (iv) a photoinitiator (v) a polymerization inhibitor. Various methods of using the same photoresponsive materials in additive manufacturing processes, such as volumetric additive manufacturing, are also described.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional object comprising computing a sequence of back-projections describing the three-dimensional object to be formed from different orientation angles of the object, defining a sequence of patterns of light using the back-projections, and irradiating with each of the patterns of light at the respective corresponding orientation angle. According to the defined sequence, a photoresponsive material is capable of altering its material phase, upon irradiation by light, thereby creating a three-dimensional distribution of alterations within the photoresponsive medium which physically reproduces the three-dimensional object, thereby creating the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A bending compensation device for a waveguide, including a direction changing device configured to maintain a constant bending angle to the waveguide, a distal end of the waveguide having a first orientation, and the proximal end of the waveguide having a second orientation, and a motion device connected to the direction changing device, the motion device configured to move the direction changing device upon a movement of the waveguide.

Abstract: A bending compensation device for a waveguide, including a direction changing device configured to maintain a constant bending angle to the waveguide, a distal end of the waveguide having a first orientation, and the proximal end of the waveguide having a second orientation, and a motion device connected to the direction changing device, the motion device configured to move the direction changing device upon a movement of the waveguide.