Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to systems and methods for calibrating two or more image projectors of a photoreactive 3D printing system (PRPS). The method includes: coupling a modular calibration fixture to the PRPS; leveling the modular calibration fixture using two or more height adjusting motors; adjusting a height of a light sensor of the modular calibration fixture using the two or more height adjusting motors; measuring light from the two or more image projectors of the PRPS in a plurality of measurement locations; and adjusting a parameter of a sub-image based on the light measured at the plurality of measurement locations. A modular calibration system including a light sensor, a carriage assembly that moves the light sensor, two or more levelling motors, and a controller, can be used to perform the method.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the techniques described herein relate to photoreactive 3D printing systems and methods. The 3D printing system can include: a moveable print platform; a resin tub with a membrane; resin contained within the resin tub; an illumination system; a force sensor; and a print recipe including information for layers in a 3D printed part to be built on the print platform. The photoreactive 3D printing system can be configured to: project an image through the membrane into the volume of resin using the illumination system; move the print platform in a z-direction; measure a force on the print platform using the force sensor; and update a print platform movement in the print recipe during a printing run based on the force on the print platform.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system, and associated methods, comprise an image projection system comprising a plurality of image projectors that project a composite image onto a build area within a resin pool. The composite image includes a plurality of sub-images arranged in an array. The image projection system can project each sub-image onto a portion of the build area using one of the plurality of image projectors, and move the plurality of sub-images to different portions of the build area during an exposure of a layer of an object being manufactured. The properties of a sub-image and the alignment of the position of the sub image within the composite image can be adjusted using a set of filters comprising an irradiance mask that normalizes irradiance, and a warp correction filter that provides geometric correction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for calibration systems and methods for additive manufacturing systems with multiple image projection. In some embodiments, a method of calibrating two or more image projectors of a photoreactive 3D printing system (PRPS) includes: projecting a sub-image from each of the two or more image projectors; measuring light from an image projector using a light sensor of a calibration system; receiving a signal from the light sensor; processing information from the light sensor; and changing a parameter of a sub-image based on the processed information. In some cases, a PRPS includes a calibration fixture comprising the light sensor. In some cases, a PRPS can be calibrated using a modular calibration fixture comprising the light sensor, wherein the modular calibration fixture can be coupled to the PRPS, leveled and height adjusted, and then a calibration routine can be performed.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system, and associated methods, comprise an image projection system comprising a plurality of image projectors that project a composite image onto a build area within a resin pool. The composite image comprises a plurality of sub-images arranged in an array. The properties of a sub-image and the alignment of the position of the sub image within the composite image can be adjusted using a set of filters comprising an irradiance mask that normalizes irradiance, and a gamma adjustment mask that adjusts sub-image energy based on a reactivity of the resin.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the techniques described herein relate to photoreactive 3D printing systems and methods. The 3D printing system can include: a moveable print platform; a resin tub with a membrane; resin contained within the resin tub; an illumination system; a force sensor, and a print recipe including information for layers in a 3D printed part to be built on the print platform. The photoreactive 3D printing system can be configured to: project an image through the membrane into the volume of resin using the illumination system; move the print platform in a z-direction; measure a force on the print platform using the force sensor, and update a print platform movement in the print recipe during a printing run based on the force on the print platform.

Abstract: Methods of creating additive manufactured parts include selectively dispensing, in a shape area according to a layer of a part to be created by additive manufacturing, a second composition onto a top surface of a first composition in a vat, wherein a polymerization component is in the second composition. In some cases, polymerization components for formation of the layer are kept separate from each other until the dispensing. In some cases, a first polymerization component is in the first composition, and a second polymerization component is in the second composition. The top surface is illuminated to expose the first composition and the second composition to light having a polymerization wavelength, thereby causing polymerization of the layer of the part only in the shape area. The dispensing comprises customizing a reaction variable of the polymerization to customize reaction kinetics in different portions of the shape area.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system, and associated methods, comprise an image projection system comprising a plurality of image projectors that project a composite image onto a build area within a resin pool. The composite image comprises a plurality of sub-images arranged in an array. The properties of a sub-image and the alignment of the position of the sub image within the composite image can be adjusted using a set of filters comprising an irradiance mask that normalizes irradiance, and a gamma adjustment mask that adjusts sub-image energy based on a reactivity of the resin.

Abstract: Methods of creating additive manufactured parts include selectively dispensing a second composition onto a top surface of a first composition in a vat. The second composition is dispensed in a shape area according to a layer of a part to be created by additive manufacturing. Polymerization components for formation of the layer are kept separate from each other until the dispensing, with at least one of the polymerization components being in the second composition. The top surface is illuminated to expose the first composition and the second composition to light having a polymerization wavelength, thereby causing polymerization of the layer of the part only in the shape area where the second composition was dispensed.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system, and associated methods, comprise an image projection system comprising a plurality of image projectors that project a composite image onto a build area within a resin pool. The composite image comprises a plurality of sub-images arranged in an array. The properties of each sub-image and the alignment of the position of each sub image within the composite image can be adjusted using a set of filters comprising: 1) an irradiance mask that normalizes irradiance, 2) a gamma adjustment mask that adjusts sub-image energy based on a reactivity of the resin, and 3) a warp correction filter that provides geometric correction.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the techniques described herein relate to photoreactive 3D printing systems and methods. The 3D printing system can include: a moveable print platform; a resin tub with a membrane; resin contained within the resin tub; an illumination system; a force sensor, and a print recipe including information for layers in a 3D printed part to be built on the print platform. The photoreactive 3D printing system can be configured to: project an image through the membrane into the volume of resin using the illumination system; move the print platform in a z-direction; measure a force on the print platform using the force sensor, and update a print platform movement in the print recipe during a printing run based on the force on the print platform.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a photoreactive 3D printing system includes: a moveable print platform; a resin tub comprising a membrane; a tension apparatus; a volume of resin contained within the resin tub; an illumination system; a print platform force sensor; and a print recipe comprising information for layers in a 3D printed part to be built on the print platform. In some embodiments, the photoreactive 3D printing system is configured to: project an image through the membrane at a polymer interface using the illumination system; moving the print platform in a z-direction; apply a tensioning force using the tension apparatus to induce a membrane tension on the membrane; measure an amount of print platform force using the print platform force sensor; and update the print platform movement in the print recipe during a printing run based on the amount of print platform force measured by the print platform force sensor.

Abstract: Methods of producing an additive manufactured part with a smooth surface finish and customized properties include creating a compensated design that serves as a print recipe for an additive manufacturing process for a part, where the creating comprises modifying a desired design with a geometric offset correction to compensate for a first portion of an uncured surface finish material to be retained on the part. A spinning device is provided that has a platform. The part is formed with the additive manufacturing process and secured to the platform, where the part is at least partially wetted with the uncured surface finish material. The platform is rotated, where a second portion of the uncured surface finish material is removed due to forces imparted by the rotating. The uncured surface finish material is chosen to customize a property of the part.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a photoreactive 3D printing system includes: a moveable print platform; a resin tub comprising a membrane; a tension apparatus; a volume of resin contained within the resin tub; an illumination system; a print platform force sensor; and a print recipe comprising information for layers in a 3D printed part to be built on the print platform. In some embodiments, the photoreactive 3D printing system is configured to: project an image through the membrane at a polymer interface using the illumination system; moving the print platform in a z-direction; apply a tensioning force using the tension apparatus to induce a membrane tension on the membrane; measure an amount of print platform force using the print platform force sensor; and update the print platform movement in the print recipe during a printing run based on the amount of print platform force measured by the print platform force sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for calibration systems and methods for additive manufacturing systems with multiple image projection. In some embodiments, a method of calibrating two or more image projectors of a photoreactive 3D printing system (PRPS) includes: projecting a sub-image from each of the two or more image projectors; measuring light from an image projector using a light sensor of a calibration system; receiving a signal from the light sensor; processing information from the light sensor; and changing a parameter of a sub-image based on the processed information. In some cases, a PRPS includes a calibration fixture comprising the light sensor. In some cases, a PRPS can be calibrated using a modular calibration fixture comprising the light sensor, wherein the modular calibration fixture can be coupled to the PRPS, leveled and height adjusted, and then a calibration routine can be performed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a photoreactive 3D printing system and methods comprise providing a system with a resin tub comprising a membrane, wherein the membrane rests on a physical tension element such that increasing downward force on the resin tub induces increasing tension on the membrane. The system also comprises a plurality of sensors comprising a resin bulk temperature sensor, and a print recipe comprising information for each layer in a 3D printed part to be built on the print platform. In some embodiments, a resin bulk temperature is measured, and the information in the print recipe, including information related to the downward force on the resin tub, is updated during a printing run based on the resin bulk temperature measurement. In some embodiments, the print recipe can be updated during a printing run based on input from at least two sensors of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system, and associated methods, comprise an image projection system comprising a plurality of image projectors that project a composite image onto a build area within a resin pool. The composite image comprises a plurality of sub-images arranged in an array. The properties of each sub-image and the alignment of the position of each sub image within the composite image can be adjusted using a set of filters comprising: 1) an irradiance mask that normalizes irradiance, 2) a gamma adjustment mask that adjusts sub-image energy based on a reactivity of the resin, and 3) a warp correction filter that provides geometric correction.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system, and associated methods, comprise an image projection system comprising a plurality of image projectors that project a composite image onto a build area within a resin pool. The composite image comprises a plurality of sub-images arranged in an array. The properties of each sub-image and the alignment of the position of each sub image within the composite image can be adjusted using a stack of filters comprising: 1) an irradiance mask that normalizes irradiance, 2) a gamma adjustment mask that adjusts sub-image energy based on a reactivity of the resin, 3) a warp correction filter that provides geometric correction, and 4) an edge blending bar at one or more sub-image edges.

Abstract: Methods of creating additive manufactured parts include selectively dispensing a second composition onto a top surface of a first composition in a vat. The second composition is dispensed in a shape area according to a layer of a part to be created by additive manufacturing. Polymerization components for formation of the layer are kept separate from each other until the dispensing, with at least one of the polymerization components being in the second composition. The top surface is illuminated to expose the first composition and the second composition to light having a polymerization wavelength, thereby causing polymerization of the layer of the part only in the shape area where the second composition was dispensed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a photoreactive 3D printing system and methods comprise providing a system with a resin tub comprising a membrane, wherein the membrane rests on a physical tension element such that increasing downward force on the resin tub induces increasing tension on the membrane. The system also comprises a plurality of sensors comprising a resin bulk temperature sensor, and a print recipe comprising information for each layer in a 3D printed part to be built on the print platform. In some embodiments, a resin bulk temperature is measured, and the information in the print recipe, including information related to the downward force on the resin tub, is updated during a printing run based on the resin bulk temperature measurement. In some embodiments, the print recipe can be updated during a printing run based on input from at least two sensors of the plurality of sensors.