Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional (3D) article includes operating a print engine to fabricate a composite structure including the 3D article coupled to a support structure, removing the composite structure from the fluid tank, and peeling the inside surface of the sheath away from the outer surface of the article, peeling progressively breaks the plurality of strands. The support structure includes a conformal sheath having an inside surface that follows the outer surface of the 3D article with a gap between the inside surface of the sheath and the outer surface of the article, and a plurality of strands that span the gap and individually have opposed ends that are coupled to the inside surface of the sheath and the outer surface of the article to maintain the gap, the gap filled with the photocurable liquid ink.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) printer enables the continuous manufacture of 3D articles of manufacture. The 3D printer includes a 3D print engine for generating articles of manufacture through a layer by layer solidification of a print medium, a transport mechanism, a receiving station, and a controller. The controller is configured to (a) operate the 3D print engine to generate a continuous build platform, (b) concurrently with (a), operate the print engine to generate a plurality of 3D articles of manufacture that are attached to the continuous build platform; and operate the transport mechanism to engage the continuous build platform to transport the continuous build platform along a path that extends between the 3D print engine and the receiving station.

Abstract: There is provided an additive manufacturing system comprising a vertical stage (also known as a z-stage) that moves the object being created along an axis of motion that is not perpendicular to the image plane (non-parallel to the z-axis of the image plane). By moving the build platform, upon which the additively manufactured object is being supported, along a predetermined axis of motion, such as one adapted to the dominant axis of the object design, the additive manufacturing system is capable of making larger objects, shortening build times, improving part resolution, and/or reducing the volume of photocurable material needed, among other benefits.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) printer enables the continuous manufacture of 3D articles of manufacture. The 3D printer includes a 3D print engine for generating articles of manufacture through a layer by layer solidification of a print medium, a transport mechanism, a receiving station, and a controller. The controller is configured to (a) operate the 3D print engine to generate a continuous build platform, (b) concurrently with (a), operate the print engine to generate a plurality of 3D articles of manufacture that are attached to the continuous build platform; and operate the transport mechanism to engage the continuous build platform to transport the continuous build platform along a path that extends between the 3D print engine and the receiving station.

Abstract: There is provided an additive manufacturing system comprising a vertical stage (also known as a z-stage) that moves the object being created along an axis of motion that is not perpendicular to the image plane (non-parallel to the z-axis of the image plane). By moving the build platform, upon which the additively manufactured object is being supported, along a predetermined axis of motion, such as one adapted to the dominant axis of the object design, the additive manufacturing system is capable of making larger objects, shortening build times, improving part resolution, and/or reducing the volume of photocurable material needed, among other benefits.