Abstract: The present invention relates to formulations for use in 3-D printing using radiation from visual display screens. The formulations comprise titanocene photoinitators and co-initiators. The invention also relates to methods of forming 3-D objects using said formulations.

Abstract: This method describes techniques to create 3D parts by dispensing a liquid polymer or slurry in evenly delivered layers, which are exposed to light from a visual display screen before the print platform upon which it is being built is moved one-layer thickness away and the process is repeated. The process of dispensing the photosensitive material is via a pumped system through a metering device that discharges and levels the material. Multiple dispensing devices can be arranged in sequence to deliver different materials, either multiple photosensitive dispensing heads or alternative mechanisms such as robocasting, fused deposition modelling or inkjet in addition to a photosensitive deposition head.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of 3D printing used to make a 3D object where a 3D printed object is formed using electromagnetic radiation emitted from a visual display screen or emissive pixel array screen illuminated by radiation sources with effectively non-overlapping wavelength emission spectra with the effect of creating two different polymerised properties in the object.

Abstract: A method of controlling the sub-pixels in LCD screens in 3D printers is described for increasing the resolution of a printed 3D object. A stereolithographic 3D printer comprises an LCD screen comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising a plurality of sub-pixels; a 3D printing apparatus; a memory configured to store data representing a 3D object; and a processor. The resolution of the printed 3D objection is increased by dividing the 3D object represented by the data into a plurality of slices, mapping each slice of the 3D object to a pixel layout of the LCD screen, determining a proportion of each pixel that is contained within each slice of the 3D object, assigning illumination values to the sub-pixels of each pixel based on the determined proportion for the respective pixel for each slice, and controlling both the LCD screen in accordance with the assigned illumination values.

Abstract: A 3D printer comprising: a vat for liquid photopolymer; a print platform for extending into the vat; a screen assembly have an arrangement of screens for providing an exposure of patterned electromagnetic radiation for selectively polymerising successive layers of photopolymer to build a 3D printed object on the print platform; and a control mechanism for controlling the separation of the print platform and screen assembly parallel to a build direction.

Abstract: A stereolithographic 3D printer comprising a number of functional stations that are connected in an automated process so that they can perform the following functions simultaneously; a) the selective exposure of liquid photopolymer, b) the washing off of excess photopolymer, c) the post exposure of the built part (optionally under water) and optionally d) the load and unloading of the part.

Abstract: A stereolithographic 3D printer comprising: a vat for liquid photopolymer; a print platform; a screen assembly having a screen support assembly supporting a screen for providing selective exposure of electromagnetic radiation for polymerising successive layers of photopolymer to build a 3D printed object on the print platform; and a control system for controlling the separation of the print platform and screen assembly parallel to a build direction, wherein the vat has a vat base that is resiliently deformable or has a resiliently deformable portion.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for making a three dimensional (3D) image by additive manufacturing using, as a light source, an off-the-shelf visual display screen. The invention also relates to apparatus for carrying out said methods.

Abstract: This subject matter describes a method for constructing a sealed build chamber in SLA based 3D printing where the method of polymerisation is to use LCD screens to selectively harden the photopolymer contained in it. This method of printing enables the printer to be orientated in any direction and to print without recourse to gravity necessary to re-level the photopolymer during the printing process.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of 3D printing used to make a dental aligner for the purpose of straightening teeth or a mouthguard for the purpose of protecting teeth. The appliance is a hard polymer layer that encases the upper, lower or both sets of teeth to exert correcting forces on the teeth to realign their position, optionally these clear aligners can also incorporate a wire for more rapid treatment. This invention describes a method of directly 3D printing the aligner or mouthguard from liquid photopolymer rather than as it is currently manufactured by thermoforming plastic over a custom model and then trimming it to the desired size.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of 3D printing used to make a 3D object where a 3D printed object is formed using electromagnetic radiation emitted from a visual display screen or emissive pixel array screen illuminated by radiation sources with effectively non-overlapping wavelength emission spectra with the effect of creating two different polymerised properties in the object.

Abstract: This method describes techniques to create 3D parts by dispensing a liquid polymer or slurry in evenly delivered layers, which are exposed to light from a visual display screen before the print platform upon which it is being built is moved one-layer thickness away and the process is repeated. The process of dispensing the photosensitive material is via a pumped system through a metering device that discharges and levels the material. Multiple dispensing devices can be arranged in sequence to deliver different materials, either multiple photosensitive dispensing heads or alternative mechanisms such as robocasting, fused deposition modelling or inkjet in addition to a photosensitive deposition head.

Abstract: A stereolithographic 3D printer comprising a number of functional stations that are connected in an automated process so that they can perform the following functions simultaneously; a) the selective exposure of liquid photopolymer, b) the washing off of excess photopolymer, c) the post exposure of the built part (optionally under water) and optionally d) the load and unloading of the part.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for making a three-dimensional (3D) image by additive manufacturing or 3D printing. Specifically, it describes techniques that enable custom parts consisting of sand, metal or ceramic particles to be made with the rigid orientation of the object governed by the selective photopolymerisation of an organic binder. The organic binder has a high viscosity.

Abstract: A method of controlling the sub-pixels in LCD screens in 3D printers is described for increasing the resolution of a printed 3D object. A stereolithographic 3D printer comprises an LCD screen comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising a plurality of sub-pixels; a 3D printing apparatus; a memory configured to store data representing a 3D object; and a processor. The resolution of the printed 3D objection is increased by dividing the 3D object represented by the data into a plurality of slices, mapping each slice of the 3D object to a pixel layout of the LCD screen, determining a proportion of each pixel that is contained within each slice of the 3D object, assigning illumination values to the sub-pixels of each pixel based on the determined proportion for the respective pixel for each slice, and controlling both the LCD screen in accordance with the assigned illumination values.

Abstract: A stereolithographic 3D printer comprising: a vat for liquid photopolymer; a print platform; a screen assembly having a screen support assembly supporting a screen for providing selective exposure of electromagnetic radiation for polymerising successive layers of photopolymer to build a 3D printed object on the print platform; and a control system for controlling the separation of the print platform and screen assembly parallel to a build direction, wherein the vat has a vat base that is resiliently deformable or has a resiliently deformable portion.

Abstract: A 3D printer comprising: a vat for liquid photopolymer; a print platform for extending into the vat; a screen assembly have an arrangement of screens for providing an exposure of patterned electromagnetic radiation for selectively polymerising successive layers of photopolymer to build a 3D printed object on the print platform; and a control mechanism for controlling the separation of the print platform and screen assembly parallel to a build direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for making three-dimensional (3D) images by additive manufacturing or 3D printing. Specifically, it describes techniques that allow images consisting of sand, metal or ceramic particles to be formed by the polymerisation of a photopolymer mixed with the particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to formulations for use in 3-D printing using radiation from visual display screens. The formulations comprise titanocene photoinitators and co-initiators. The invention also relates to methods of forming 3-D objects using said formulations.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for making a three dimensional (3D) image by additive manufacturing using, as a light source, an off-the-shelf visual display screen. The invention also relates to apparatus for carrying out said methods.