Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for detecting failures in a photoreactive 3D printing system include a light-emitting device configured to emit light into and along a plane of a membrane or of a substrate below the membrane. The membrane is a bottom surface of a resin tub. The light has a wavelength that is different from a photopolymerization wavelength of resin in the resin tub. The membrane or substrate is transparent to the wavelength of the light and to the photopolymerization wavelength. An imaging device is oriented to capture an image of the light emitted from the membrane or the substrate.

Abstract: A photoreactive additive manufacturing system comprises a resin tub, a membrane, and a resin pool confined by the resin tub and the membrane. In some embodiments, the membrane comprises a polymeric blend comprising a first polymer and a second polymer, and the first polymer is a fluoropolymer. In some embodiments, the membrane comprises a polymer and an additive to control the free volume of the polymer.

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: Apparatuses and methods for detecting failures in a photoreactive 3D printing system include a light-emitting device configured to emit light into and along a plane of a membrane or of a substrate below the membrane. The membrane is a bottom surface of a resin tub. The light has a wavelength that is different from a photopolymerization wavelength of resin in the resin tub. The membrane or substrate is transparent to the wavelength of the light and to the photopolymerization wavelength. An imaging device is oriented to capture an image of the light emitted from the membrane or the substrate. A detection system is in communication with the imaging device, the detection system being configured to detect a spatial or temporal disruption in the image.

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 producing an additive manufactured part with a smooth surface finish include providing a spinning device that has a platform. The part is secured to the platform, where the part is at least partially wetted with uncured resin from a resin pool. The platform is rotated, where a first portion of the uncured resin is retained on the part and a second portion of the uncured resin is removed. The part is cured after the rotating. In some embodiments, methods include creating a compensated design for a part by modifying a desired design to compensate for a first portion of an uncured surface finish material to be retained on the part, and forming the part with an additive manufacturing process according to the compensated design.

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: 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: Systems and methods for managing an additive manufacturing production line include an additive manufacturing machine having a first sensor and an auxiliary equipment having a second sensor. A server includes security protocols, a workflow module, an industrial Internet of things (IIoT) module and a machine learning module. The workflow module, IIoT module, machine learning module, additive manufacturing machine and auxiliary equipment are in communication with each other using the security protocols. The machine learning module processes feedback from the first sensor and the second sensor to control operation of the additive manufacturing machine through the workflow module and the IIoT module.

Abstract: A photoreactive additive manufacturing system comprises a resin tub, a membrane, and a resin pool confined by the resin tub and the membrane. In some embodiments, the membrane comprises a polymeric blend comprising a first polymer and a second polymer, and the first polymer is a fluoropolymer. In some embodiments, the membrane comprises a polymer and an additive to control the free volume of the polymer.

Abstract: Methods of producing an additive manufactured part with a smooth surface finish include providing a spinning device that has a platform. The part is secured to the platform, where the part is at least partially wetted with uncured resin from a resin pool. The platform is rotated, where a first portion of the uncured resin is retained on the part and a second portion of the uncured resin is removed. The part is cured after the rotating. In some embodiments, methods include creating a compensated design for a part by modifying a desired design to compensate for a first portion of an uncured surface finish material to be retained on the part, and forming the part with an additive manufacturing process according to the compensated design.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for detecting failures in a photoreactive 3D printing system include a light-emitting device configured to emit light into and along a plane of a membrane or of a substrate below the membrane. The membrane is a bottom surface of a resin tub. The light has a wavelength that is different from a photopolymerization wavelength of resin in the resin tub. The membrane or substrate is transparent to the wavelength of the light and to the photopolymerization wavelength. An imaging device is oriented to capture an image of the light emitted from the membrane or the substrate. A detection system is in communication with the imaging device, the detection system being configured to detect a spatial or temporal disruption in the image.

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: 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: A system for providing access to a plurality of data media contained in a data storage system is provided. The data storage system comprises a plurality of media storage devices for storing the plurality of data media, a data exchange device for exchanging data stored on the plurality of data media, and a media handling system for transferring the plurality of data media between the plurality of media storage devices and the data exchange device. The system comprises a bulk access apparatus configured to cover a plurality of openings in the data storage system. Each of the plurality of openings in the data storage system provide access to one of the media storage devices.

Abstract: Media storage devices for retaining data media are provided. One embodiment is a method for attaching a spring mechanism to a media storage device configured to receive one or more data media, the spring mechanism having at least one finger and at least one elongate spring tab. One such method comprises: engaging the at least one elongate spring tab with an opening in a spring alignment member attached to the media storage device, the at least one elongate spring tab having an aperture; and engaging the aperture of the at least one elongate spring tab with a spring retention member attached to the media storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a removable media handling system in a data storage system are provided. Briefly described, in one of many possible embodiments the data storage system comprises a plurality of housings, a media handling system, and a lift system. The plurality of housings are arranged in vertical stacks and each of the plurality of housings is configured to receive one or more media storage devices that are configured to receive a plurality of data media. The media handling system is configured to access the plurality of data media received by the media storage device. The lift assembly is configured to move the media handling system vertically between the plurality of housings. The media handling system and the lift assembly are configured such that the media handling system is removably attached to the lift assembly.

Abstract: Media storage devices for retaining data media are provided. In one of many possible embodiments, the media storage device comprises a housing having a plurality of slots configured to receive a plurality of data media, a plurality of spring retention members extending from the housing, and a spring mechanism attached to the housing. The spring mechanism includes a plurality of fingers and a plurality of elongate spring tabs. Each of the plurality of fingers extend into one of the plurality of slots and are configured to engage one of the plurality of data media when received in the slot. Each of the plurality of elongate spring tabs have an aperture and are configured such that one of the plurality of spring retention members extending from the housing engages the aperture.

Abstract: Media storage devices for retaining data media are provided. In one of many possible embodiments, the media storage device comprises a housing having a plurality of slots configured to receive a plurality of data media, a plurality of spring retention members extending from the housing, and a spring mechanism attached to the housing. The spring mechanism includes a plurality of fingers and a plurality of elongate spring tabs. Each of the plurality of fingers extend into one of the plurality of slots and are configured to engage one of the plurality of data media when received in the slot. Each of the plurality of elongate spring tabs have an aperture and are configured such that one of the plurality of spring retention members extending from the housing engages the aperture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a removable media handling system in a data storage system are provided. Briefly described, in one of many possible embodiments the data storage system comprises a plurality of housings, a media handling system, and a lift system. The plurality of housings are arranged in vertical stacks and each of the plurality of housings is configured to receive one or more media storage devices that are configured to receive a plurality of data media. The media handling system is configured to access the plurality of data media received by the media storage device. The lift assembly is configured to move the media handling system vertically between the plurality of housings. The media handling system and the lift assembly are configured such that the media handling system is removably attached to the lift assembly.