Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object is carried out by: (a) providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween, with the carrier positioned adjacent and spaced apart from the build surface at a start position; then (b) forming an adhesion segment of the three-dimensional object (c) optionally but preferably forming a transition segment of the three dimensional object; and then (d) forming a body segment of the three dimensional object. In each case, the segment can be formed by: (i) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, (ii) continuously or intermittently irradiating the build region with light through the optically transparent, and (iii) continuously or intermittently advancing the carrier away from the build surface, to thereby form that segment from the polymerizable liquid.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object is carried out by: (a) providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween, with the carrier positioned adjacent and spaced apart from the build surface at a start position; then (b) forming an adhesion segment of the three-dimensional object (c) optionally but preferably forming a transition segment of the three dimensional object; and then (d) forming a body segment of the three dimensional object. In each case, the segment can be formed by: (i) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, (ii) continuously or intermittently irradiating the build region with light through the optically transparent, and (iii) continuously or intermittently advancing the carrier away from the build surface, to thereby form that segment from the polymerizable liquid.

Abstract: A method of forming the body portion of a three-dimensional object from a polymerizable liquid by the process of continuous liquid interface printing is described. The body portion has a plurality of contiguous segments, and the process includes advancing a carrier for the object away from a build surface while irradiating a build region between the carrier and build surface in a pattern of advancing and irradiating defined by an operating mode. In the present invention, the operating mode is changed at least once during the formation of the body portion for different contiguous segments of the body portion.

Abstract: A method of forming the body portion of a three-dimensional object from a polymerizable liquid by the process of continuous liquid interface printing is described. The process includes advancing a carrier for the object away from a build surface while irradiating a build region between the carrier and build surface in a pattern of advancing and irradiating defined by an operating mode, with the body portion having a plurality of contiguous segments and with the irradiating carried out in sequentially presented slices of exposure, each having a pattern that corresponds to a segment of the body portion. Each segment has a thickness (e.g., in Z or vertical dimension) during the forming thereof. In the present invention, slice thickness is changed among the slices at least once during the formation of the body portion.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object (17) includes: providing a carrier (18) and an optically transparent member (15) having a build surface, the carrier (18) and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid (16); irradiating the build region with light (12) through the optically transparent member (15) to form a solid polymer from the polymerizable liquid; and advancing the carrier (18) away from the build surface to form the three-dimensional object (17) from the solid polymer. The carrier (18) includes at least one retain and release (34) feature that is configured to: i) retain the three-dimensional object (17) formed from the solid polymer on the carrier (18) in a first state; and ii) facilitate release of the three-dimensional object (17) formed from the solid polymer from the carrier (18) in a second state.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for the production of a three-dimensional object by “bottom up” additive manufacturing, in which a carrier (112) is vertically reciprocated with respect to a build surface, to enhance or speed the refilling of the build region with a solidifiable liquid. In preferred embodiments, the three-dimensional object is produced from a liquid interface by continuous liquid interface production (i.e., “CLIP”).

Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional object is carried out by: (a) providing an apparatus comprising a radiation source, a carrier on which the three dimensional object is made, and a movable belt positioned therebetween, the belt having a first surface and an opposite second surface, with the belt comprised of an optically transparent material, and with the belt permeable to a polymerization inhibitor; (b) applying a polymerizable liquid to the first surface of the belt, and contacting the second surface of the belt to the polymerization inhibitor, (c) contacting a portion of the belt first surface having the polymerizable liquid thereon to the carrier or the three dimensional object so that the belt adheres thereto with the polymerizable liquid positioned therebetween; (d) irradiating the polymerizable liquid with actinic radiation through the belt from the radiation source to polymerize the polymerizable liquid positioned therebetween; then (e) optionally separating the belt from the carrier or the three

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object is carried out by: (a) providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween, with the carrier positioned adjacent and spaced apart from the build surface at a start position; then (b) forming an adhesion segment of the three-dimensional object (c) optionally but preferably forming a transition segment of the three dimensional object; and then (d) forming a body segment of the three dimensional object. In each case, the segment can be formed by: (i) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, (ii) continuously or intermittently irradiating the build region with light through the optically transparent, and (iii) continuously or intermittently advancing the carrier away from the build surface, to thereby form that segment from the polymerizable liquid.