Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three dimensional article includes forming the three-dimensional article with three-dimensional printing, processing the three-dimensional article to remove support material ink, illuminating the three-dimensional article with electromagnetic radiation, inspecting the three dimensional article for photoluminescence that is responsive to the illumination, and verifying whether the support material has been sufficiently removed based upon the inspection. The support material ink includes a phosphor component that phosphorescently emits light in response to the illumination.

Abstract: Thermoplastic 3D objects are printed directly onto permeable materials with a high strength bond. The 3D object can be attached to the permeable material at one side where the bottom layer of the 3D object can be attached to the permeable material or alternatively, at an internal layer where portions of the 3D object are on opposite sides of the permeable material. In order to improve the adhesion of the 3D object to the permeable material, the bonding layer of the liquid thermoplastic material that is printed directly onto the permeable material can be deposited at modified 3D printer settings that can include a hotter than normal material deposition temperature. Additional build layers of the liquid thermoplastic material are printed on the bonding layer to complete the 3D objects.

Abstract: A three dimensional printing system for manufacturing a three dimensional article includes a build platform, a light engine, and a controller. The build platform is coupled to a vertical positioning apparatus. The light engine is configured to generate and scan a columnar array of light spots across a build plane. The columnar array of light spots are arranged along a second axis. The light spots are scanned along a first axis. The build plane is laterally defined by mutually perpendicular X and Y axes. In the build plane, the first axis is parallel to the X-axis.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system for manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a transparent substrate, a fluid handling system, a support tray, and a light engine. The transparent substrate slopes downwardly from an upper end toward a lower end. The fluid handling system is configured to input photocurable resin at the upper end and to receive the photocurable resin at the lower end. The fluid handling system thereby forms a gravity-driven flowing sheet of resin over an upper surface of the transparent sheet. The support tray is mounted to a movement mechanism. The support tray has a lower face for supporting the three-dimensional article. The lower face is generally parallel to the upper surface of the transparent substrate. The light engine is positioned below the transparent substrate for selectively illuminating the resin along a build plane that is within the resin and parallel to the upper surface of the transparent substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional article by additive manufacturing includes a processor and an information storage device. The information storage device includes a non-transient or non-volatile device storing software instructions. In response to execution by the processor, the software instructions cause the apparatus to: receive initial data defining the three-dimensional article having an outer surface, define a shell having the outer surface of the three-dimensional article and an opposing inner surface that defines an inner cavity, define a boundary in the inner cavity that further defines an outer lattice volume between the inner surface of the shell and the boundary and an inner volume inside the boundary, and define a lattice that fills the outer lattice volume.

Abstract: A method of assembling a three-dimensional printing system includes providing a plurality of components, providing a plurality of spacer rings, and measurement, analysis and assembly steps. The components include a light engine, an adaptive support apparatus, a plurality of elongate struts, and a support plate. The measurement, analysis and assembly steps include (1) measuring a scale factor for the light engine, (2) determining a selection of one or more of the spacer rings based upon the measured scale factor, and (3) assembling the components with the determined selection of one or more spacer rings.

Abstract: In one aspect, inks for use with a three-dimensional printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink described herein is a composite ink. Such a composite ink, in some cases, comprises an optically transparent or substantially transparent carrier ink comprising a curable material; and a colorant dispersed in the carrier ink in an amount of about 0.01 to 5 weight %, based on the total weight of the composite ink.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional bioprinter for printing and/or patterning a single type or multiple types of cells into different geometrical arrangements and other three-dimensional structures, such as tissues. The bioprinter comprises multiple heads that can each be loaded with a different cartridge containing a biomaterial or biological material such as cells in a solution or cells in a hydrogel. Each bioprinter head and cartridge has the ability to heat or cool using Peltier technology. The bioprinter also has the ability to auto calibrate on a bed plate configured to accept a petri dish or microtiter plate.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for a bioprinter capable of printing an object having biological components. In some embodiments, the bioprinter includes a modular print bed having a recessed area configured to receive a variable insert and a printer head positioned above the modular print bed. In some embodiments, the printer head has a cartridge for receiving and holding a biomaterial, and an extruder configured to extrude biomaterials from the cartridge onto a portion of the variable insert. The variable insert may include functional elements (e.g., heating, cooling, photocuring) and/or receiving elements (e.g., well plates).

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system for solidifying a photocurable resin in a layer-by-layer manner at a build plane includes a scan module, a transparent plate, a sensor, and a controller. The scan module is configured to scan the light beam along two axes to address the build plane. The transparent plate is positioned in the optical path between the scan module and the build plane. The transparent plate has at least one reflective feature in the optical path. The sensor is mounted above the glass plate and is positioned to receive light reflected from the reflective feature. The controller is configured to operate the scan module to scan the light beam across the build plane, receive a signal from the sensor when the light beam impinges upon the reflective feature, and analyze the signal to verify a proper alignment of the light beam to the build plane.

Abstract: A three dimensional printer includes a projector, an adaptive support apparatus, a resin support apparatus, and a plurality of vertical struts. The projector includes a projection lens module which includes an optical housing that contains a series of lenses for projecting an image from the projector onto a build plane. The projection lens module includes a laterally extending flange having an upwardly facing flange surface. The adaptive support apparatus includes a downward facing surface in facing relation with the upward facing flange surface. The resin support apparatus is configured to contain resin and includes a transparent sheet and a downward facing surface. The transparent sheet defines a lower bound for the resin proximate to a build plane. The plurality of vertical struts couple an upward-facing surface of the adaptive support apparatus to the downward-facing surface of the resin support apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional bioprinter for fabricating cellular constructs such as tissues and organs using electromagnetic radiation (EMR) at or above 405 nm. The bioprinter includes a material deposition device comprising a cartridge for receiving and holding a composition which contains biomaterial that cures after exposure to EMR. The bioprinter also includes an EMR module that emits EMR at a wavelength of about 405 nm or higher. Also provided is a bioprinter cartridge which contains cells and a material curable at a wavelength of about 405 nm or greater. The cells are present in a chamber and arc extruded through an orifice to form the cellular construct.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus for a printing system includes a fluid outlet defining an upper fluid flow path. The fluid outlet includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a lateral surface, and an electronic device. The upper and lower portions of the fluid outlet each surround the upper fluid flow path. The lateral surface is between the upper and lower portions. The electronic device is disposed upon the lateral surface and includes a substrate, an information storage device, and a plurality of electrical contact pads. The information storage device stores information pertaining to the fluid delivery apparatus. The plurality of electrical contact pads are disposed upon the substrate and face downwardly to receive upwardly extending pressure contacts.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a resin vessel, a vertical movement mechanism, and a light engine. The resin vessel includes a lower opening closed by a transparent sheet. The vertical movement mechanism is for positioning a support tray which supports the three-dimensional article. The light engine is disposed below the transparent sheet and is configured to selectively harden layers of resin over a build plane above the transparent sheet. The light engine includes a light bar coupled to a lateral movement mechanism. The light bar includes an array of light emitting devices and a device for impinging upon the transparent sheet. The impingement maintains a proper operating distance H between the transparent sheet and the build plane.

Abstract: In one aspect, inks for use with a three-dimensional (3D) printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink described herein comprise 10-70 wt. % or 20-40 wt. % of a cyclopolymerizable monomer, based on the total weight of the ink. The cyclopolymerizable monomer comprises an acrylate moiety and an ethenyl or ethynyl moiety, and the ?-carbon of the acrylate moiety and the ?-carbon of the ethenyl or ethynyl moiety may have a 1,5-, 1,6-, 1,7-, or 1,8-relationship. Additionally, an ink described herein can have a viscosity of 1600 centipoise (cP) or less at 30° C., or of 500 cP or less at 30° C. and can be used to print a desired 3D article having mechanical properties similar to those of articles formed from thermoplastic materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for layered manufacture of a three-dimensional product includes a build chamber having a window, a build platform within the build chamber, a calibration device that is physically separated from the build chamber, an optical system including a beam source and a scanning apparatus, and a mobile base. The mobile base is configured to position the scanning apparatus at two spaced part positions including a (1) production position and a (2) calibration position. At the production position the scanning apparatus is configured to receive an energy beam from the beam source and to reflect and scan the energy beam through the window and to a build surface over the build platform to create a layer of the three-dimensional product. At the calibration position the scanning apparatus is configured to reflect the energy beam to the calibration device but not through the window.

Abstract: A method manufacturing a three-dimensional article having readable indicia includes three-dimensionally printing the article and post-processing that following the printing. The three-dimensional printing forms the three-dimensional article in a layer-by-layer manner. The resultant three-dimensional article includes an outer portion of build material defining a plurality of enclosed internal channels, an encapsulated support material containing a phosphor component defining the indicia disposed within the channels, and unencapsulated support material that provides structural support to otherwise unsupported portions of the build material during the three-dimensional printing. The post-processing removes the unencapsulated support material form the build material but leaves the encapsulated build material.

Abstract: In an aspect of the disclosure a three dimensional printing system includes an elevator mechanism for supporting a build plate, a printhead assembly, a movement mechanism, and a controller. The printhead assembly includes a printhead and a planarizer arranged along a scan axis. The movement mechanism is for scanning the printhead across the build plate. The controller is configured to: (a) print one or more base layers of ink onto the build plate, (b) print one or more layers of test patterns onto the base layers until an alignment determination can be made, wherein the test patterns comprise different timing values, and (c) receive information and update a scan axis timing parameter based on the determination.

Abstract: In one aspect, inks for use with a three-dimensional (3D) printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink described herein comprises 10-70 wt. % cyclopolymerizable monomer, based on the total weight of the ink. The cyclopolymerizable monomer comprises a first ethenyl or ethynyl moiety and a second ethenyl or ethynyl moiety. Additionally, the ?-carbon of the first ethenyl or ethynyl moiety and the ?-carbon of the second ethenyl or ethynyl moiety have a 1,5-, 1,6-, 1,7-, or 1,8-relationship.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system is for manufacturing and post-processing a three-dimensional article. The system includes a housing, a blower, and a residue trap. The housing is for surrounding the three-dimensional article during the post process and includes an air inlet and an air outlet. The blower includes an inlet and an outlet. The outlet supplies pressurized air to the air emitting nozzle. The residue trap is coupled between the housing air outlet and the inlet of the blower. The air circulates around a loop from the blower outlet, to the air inlet of the housing, out of the air outlet of the housing, and to the inlet of the blower.