Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printing system for manufacturing a 3D article includes a resin vessel, a build plate, a plate support, a hook subsystem, an elevator subsystem, an imaging subsystem, and a controller. The build plate has an upper surface and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The hook subsystem includes a hook. The controller is configured to: (a) Operate the elevator subsystem and the imaging subsystem to fabricate the 3D article. (b) Operate the elevator subsystem to raise the 3D article above photocurable resin in the resin vessel. (c) Operate the hook subsystem to configure the hook to be engaged with the proximal end of the build plate. (d) Operate the elevator subsystem to impart a vertical separation distance between the proximal and distal ends of the build plate. The vertical separation distance defines an angular tilt of the 3D article to facilitate draining of residual photocurable.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system includes a vertical support beam, a resin vessel assembly coupled to the vertical support beam and including a resin vessel, and a support tray positioning system. The support tray positioning system includes a support tray elevator, a lead screw nut, a motorized lead screw, an intermediate nut, and a linear bearing. The motorized lead screw engages the lead screw nut to raise and lower the support tray elevator. The linear bearing constrains motion of the support tray elevator to vertical motion. The support tray elevator, the intermediate nut, and the lead screw nut interlock to constrain rotational motion of the lead screw nut with respect to the support tray elevator while allowing for two dimensional lateral motion of the lead screw nut with respect to the support tray elevator to accommodate mechanical tolerances of the lead screw with respect to the linear bearing.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system for fabricating or manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a support plate, a resin containment structure, an actuator, a light engine, a support tray coupled to a movement mechanism, and a controller. The resin containment structure is supported by the support plate and includes a lower substructure that is moveably coupled to an upper substructure. The upper substructure defines an upper central opening that is closed by a transparent sheet. The lower substructure defines a lower central opening that is closed by a transparent plate. The actuator is affixed to the support plate and configured to rotate the upper substrate about the hinge between a (1) a raised position in which the transparent plate contacts and supports the transparent sheet and (2) a lowered position in which the transparent plate is out of contact with the transparent sheet.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer includes a light engine, a support plate, and a resin vessel. The light engine is configured to selectively harden photocurable resin at a build plane in the resin vessel. The support plate is formed from cast metal and is in a fixed vertical relation to the light engine. The support plate includes an upper side with an upstanding ridge. The upstanding ridge has an upper datum surface that has been machined to a controlled height. The support plate also includes a separately formed ring disposed upon the upper datum surface. The separately formed ring defines a crest of the upstanding ridge. The resin vessel includes a transparent sheet that defines a lower bound for resin contained in the resin vessel. The transparent sheet impinges upon the crest to define a vertical location of the build plane in relation to the light engine.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system includes a support plate and a resin vessel. The support plate defines a central opening and an upper surface. The resin vessel is disposed upon the upper surface of the support plate and includes a substructure and a transparent sheet. The substructure includes a vertical wall and a tension ring that extends inwardly and downwardly from the vertical wall. The tension ring impinges downwardly upon an upper surface of the transparent sheet and tensions the transparent sheet.

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: A three-dimensional printing system includes a support plate and a resin vessel. The support plate defines a central opening and an upper surface. The resin vessel is disposed upon the upper surface of the support plate and includes a substructure and a transparent sheet. The substructure includes a vertical wall and a tension ring that extends inwardly and downwardly from the vertical wall. The tension ring impinges downwardly upon an upper surface of the transparent sheet and tensions the transparent sheet.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printing system for manufacturing a 3D article includes a resin vessel, a build plate, a plate support, a hook subsystem, an elevator subsystem, an imaging subsystem, and a controller. The build plate has an upper surface and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The hook subsystem includes a hook. The controller is configured to: (a) Operate the elevator subsystem and the imaging subsystem to fabricate the 3D article. (b) Operate the elevator subsystem to raise the 3D article above photocurable resin in the resin vessel. (c) Operate the hook subsystem to configure the hook to be engaged with the proximal end of the build plate. (d) Operate the elevator subsystem to impart a vertical separation distance between the proximal and distal ends of the build plate. The vertical separation distance defines an angular tilt of the 3D article to facilitate draining of residual photocurable.

Abstract: A print agent application assembly cleaning tool is disclosed. The print agent application assembly cleaning tool may include a handle and a flexible blade. The flexible blade may be inserted into a gap between a pair of electrodes of a print agent application assembly. The blade may protrude from a distal end of the handle in a lengthwise direction. The blade may have a width that varies to define a curved profile. The width may reduce and subsequently increase along a length of the blade so as to define a recess in an edge of the blade.

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: 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: 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: A print agent application assembly cleaning tool is disclosed. The print agent application assembly cleaning tool may include a handle and a flexible blade. The flexible blade may be inserted into a gap between a pair of electrodes of a print agent application assembly. The blade may protrude from a distal end of the handle in a lengthwise direction. The blade may have a width that varies to define a curved profile. The width may reduce and subsequently increase along a length of the blade so as to define a recess in an edge of the blade.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system for fabricating or manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a support plate, a resin containment structure, an actuator, a light engine, a support tray coupled to a movement mechanism, and a controller. The resin containment structure is supported by the support plate and includes a lower substructure that is moveably coupled to an upper substructure. The upper substructure defines an upper central opening that is closed by a transparent sheet. The lower substructure defines a lower central opening that is closed by a transparent plate. The actuator is affixed to the support plate and configured to rotate the upper substrate about the hinge between a (1) a raised position in which the transparent plate contacts and supports the transparent sheet and (2) a lowered position in which the transparent plate is out of contact with the transparent sheet.

Abstract: A roller charging device may include a Y-shaped electrically conductive brush and a screw terminal coupling the Y-shaped electrically conductive brush to a housing of the roller charging device and electrically coupling the Y-shaped electrically conductive brush to a power source. A printing fluid developer may include a plurality of rollers and a plurality of Y-shaped brushes to each contact one of the plurality of rollers wherein each of the Y-shaped brushes provides an electrical charge to each of the plurality of rollers.

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: A binary printing fluid developer assembly may include a developer roller to receive a printing fluid and transfer a portion of the printing fluid to a photoconductive member; a number of electrodes to create an electrical potential bias between the number of electrodes and the developer roller; a cleaner roller to remove an amount of printing fluid from the developer roller; and a sponge roller to clean the cleaner roller wherein a gap is maintained between the sponge roller and the number of electrodes.

Abstract: A technique includes rotating a squeegee roller to regulate a film thickness of ink on a developer roller; and using the developer roller to transfer a portion of the ink from the developer roller to a photoconductive member. The technique includes creating, by an electrode, a potential bias with the developer roller to transfer the ink to the developer roller; and inhibiting flow streaks on the developer roller, where inhibiting the flow streaks includes restricting a flow of ink between the squeegee roller and the electrode.

Abstract: A roller charging device may include a Y-shaped electrically conductive brush and a screw terminal coupling the Y-shaped electrically conductive brush to a housing of the roller charging device and electrically coupling the Y-shaped electrically conductive brush to a power source. A printing fluid developer may include a plurality of rollers and a plurality of Y-shaped brushes to each contact one of the plurality of rollers wherein each of the Y-shaped brushes provides an electrical charge to each of the plurality of rollers.

Abstract: A printing fluid developer that includes a developer roller; a cleaner roller forming a nip with the developer roller and held by a number of bearings at each end that are free to move within a slot towards and away from the developer roller; and at least one spring biased to force the bearings towards one side of the slot.