Abstract: In order to provide a method for shortening acquisition of illumination conditions, an imprint method for forming a pattern on an imprint material R supplied onto a substrate W using a mold includes: performing a first illumination process of illuminating a mold mark Mmark formed on the mold M and a substrate mark Wmark formed in each of a plurality of first shot regions on the substrate W and adjusting each of illumination conditions in a state in which the mold M and the imprint material R supplied to each of the plurality of first shot regions are brought into contact with each other; and performing a deriving process of deriving approximate illumination conditions indicating illumination conditions for a second shot region that is different from the plurality of first shot regions, on the basis of each of the illumination conditions for the plurality of first shot regions adjusted in the first illumination process.

Abstract: Aspects are provided relating to additive manufacturing. In one aspect, an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional (3D) structure is described that includes a build chamber having a top portion with windows through which radiative energy from one or more sources is provided to the build chamber to produce the 3D structure, and one or more manifolds disposed within the build chamber. The manifolds are configured to perform a gas exchange within the build chamber, and each manifold is positioned above a region where envelopes of radiative energy from the one or more sources overlap. In another aspect, the manifolds are moved to a first position adjacent to the top portion of the build chamber during a first mode of operation and moved to a second position away from the top portion of the build chamber during a second mode of operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for formation of three-dimensional objects and having an infrared radiation deflector. The radiation deflector includes opposing first and second elongate side walls; at least one end support connecting the side walls; an upper opening and a lower opening arranged to pass lamp radiation to an exterior of the radiation deflector; and a mounting point provided at the/each end support for mounting an infrared lamp. The side walls include first and second elongate mirrors extending parallel to a lamp axis and along a lower internal portion of the respective side walls. The lamp axis extends along and between the first and second mirrors, each of which has a concave surface with respect to the lamp axis. The first mirror is an upward deflecting mirror and is arranged for redirecting at least a portion of direct lamp radiation through the upper opening.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus includes a moveable substrate support configured to hold a substrate having a transfer target material thereon, a template holder configured to hold a template in which a pattern, which is to be transferred to the transfer target material, is formed, a light source configured to emit light at different selectable intensities toward the transfer target material, and a controller. The controller includes a processing unit and a storage unit, and is configured to retrieve exposure conditions for the transfer target material and control the intensity, and timing of initiation, of the light output by the light source, based on the retrieved exposure conditions, such that the transfer target material is subjected to main curing after undergoing temporary curing.

Abstract: A powder reclamation system for reclaiming a metal powder from a metal powder processing device is provided. The powder reclamation system includes a filter housing defining an inlet and an outlet; a filtered reclaimed powder hopper in communication with the outlet of the filter housing for receiving a filtered reclaimed powder; a powder recirculation passageway configured for providing a flow of powder to a metal powder processing device, the powder recirculation passageway in flow communication with the filtered reclaimed powder hopper; a virgin powder hopper containing a virgin powder also in communication with the powder recirculation passageway; and a controller operable with the powder reclamation system for providing a mixture of the filtered reclaimed powder and the virgin powder through the powder recirculation passageway.

Abstract: A method is provided for maintaining resin in a system including a main feed tank and at least one vat, each of the at least one vats associated with a 3-D printing machine. The method includes the steps of: transferring resin from the main feed tank to the at least one vat; operating the associated 3-D printing machine in a build cycle; returning the resin from the at least one vat to the main feed tank; and repeating in a cycle the steps of transferring the resin, operating the 3-D printing machine, and returning the resin.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a vat with multiple chambers and at least one of the chambers is a resin chamber configured to receive a radiant-energy-curable resin. A build surface is defined by the resin chamber within the vat, wherein at least a portion of the build surface is transparent. The additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage that is positioned facing the vat and the build surface and the stage is configured to hold a stacked arrangement of one or more cured layers of the radiant-energy-curable resin.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a build platform, a particulate dispenser assembly configured to dispense or remove particulate to or from the build platform, and a plurality of print heads each having at least one binder jet. The binder jets are configured to dispense at least one binder in varying densities onto the particulate in multiple locations to consolidate the particulate to form the component with a variable binder density throughout. The system also includes a plurality of arms extending at least partially across the build platform and supporting the print heads and at least one actuator assembly configured to rotate the print heads and/or the build platform about a rotation axis and move at least one of the print heads and the build platform in a build direction perpendicular to the build platform as part of a helical build process for the component.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing three-dimensional (3D) objects is provided. The method includes generating a plan for printing a plurality of 3D objects in a 3D printing medium at least in part by identifying an unprinted area of the 3D printing medium for insertion of a cooling device and determining where at least some of the plurality of 3D objects are to be printed in the 3D printing medium such that none of the at least some of the plurality of 3D objects, when printed, intersect the identified unprinted area for the insertion of the cooling device. The method further includes printing, using a 3D printer, the at least some of the plurality of 3D objects in accordance with the plan and, after the printing, inserting the cooling device into the unprinted area of the 3D printing medium and cooling the 3D printing medium using the cooling device.

Abstract: Joiners, methods of joining, and related systems for additive manufacturing are provided. The method of joining includes bulk depositing, by an additive manufacturing tool head, a joiner (anchor) of a second material in a receptacle in a body of a first material. Also, the method of joining includes depositing an anchor layer of a third material upon the anchor. Networks of joiners in 3D printed parts, multi-material parts comprising joiners, computer program products for providing joiners, joiner systems including trolleys, and related methods and systems are also provided. Further provided is a system, and method, for securing a part to a build platform and separating the part from the build platform.

Abstract: This invention concerns a module for insertion into an additive manufacturing apparatus. The module comprising a frame mountable in a fixed position in the additive manufacturing apparatus, the frame defining a build chamber and a dosing chamber. A build platform is movable in the build chamber for supporting a powder bed during additive manufacturing of a part. A dosing piston is movable in the dosing chamber to push powder from the dosing chamber. A mechanism mechanically links the build platform to the dosing piston such that downward movement of the build platform in the build chamber results in upward movement of the dosing piston in the dosing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an object from a light polymerizable resin includes (a) an carrier platform on which an object can be produced; (b) a resin cassette configured for carrying a light-polymerizable resin, said cassette including a light-transmissive window having a liquid inhibitor supply bed therein, said supply bed having an inlet and an outlet; (c) a light source positioned beneath said resin cassette and configured for projecting an enlarged image through said window; (d) a drive operatively associated with said resin cassette and said carrier platform; (e) a gas exchanger comprising a liquid side, a gas side, and an oxygen permeable barrier therebetween; said liquid side having an inlet and an outlet, with said supply bed inlet connected to said liquid side outlet, and said supply bed outlet connected to said liquid side inlet; (f) an oxygen carrying liquid in said liquid inhibitor supply bed and said gas exchanger liquid side; and (g) a pump operatively associated with said supply bed and sa

Abstract: A stereolithography machine (1) for making a three-dimensional object (O) that comprises a container (2) for a fluid substance (R), a source (3, 31, 32) of the predetermined radiation (RL, RL1, RL2), an optical group (4) configured to direct the radiation (RL, RL1, RL2) towards a reference surface (SR) of the fluid substance (R), and a control logic unit (5) configured to control the optical group (4) and/or the radiation source (3, 31, 32) so as to expose at least one portion of the reference surface (SR) to the radiation (RL, RL1, RL2).

Abstract: A method of printing a three-dimensional structure onto a base having irregularities on the surface is disclosed. A sensing device determines the depth of the irregularity on the surface. A computing system receives an image file including a predetermined thickness of a layer to be printed onto the base. The predetermined thickness is adjusted based on the depth of the irregularity. A printing device prints a layer onto the base having the adjusted predetermined thickness print on the irregularity to make the surface substantially smooth.

Abstract: An electrostatic-based layer-wise manufacturing system (e.g., 200; 200-1; 250; 282; 300) decouples a layer imaging process from a layer transfusion process. The layer imaging process is performed in a first batch process that is independent from the layer transfusion process that is performed in a second batch process.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing of 3D objects is provided. The apparatus includes a number of material deposition heads terminated by nozzles, of which one or two nozzles are configured to deposit a first material to form a first and second pattern layers. The pattern layers are laterally shifted from each other such that when the first and second pattern layers are deposited, a space (empty volume) with a varying cross section is formed. In some examples, two or more nozzles could be used to deposit the corresponding first and second pattern layers. The nozzles could move independent of each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the layered manufacture of a three-dimensional product starting from a powder, in particular a metal powder. More specifically, the invention relates to a system in which selective laser melting is applied to manufacture a product. Here, successive powder layers are covered by an energy beam, such as a laser beam, in order to melt the powder in this layer in whole or in part and subsequently to solidify or sinter it and to create successive layers of the product in this way.

Abstract: A device for progressively building up an object from a light hardenable material. The device has a perforated build platform for the object. The build platform forms a build surface that faces a light source. The build platform and the light source are positionable relative to each other by computer control. The device is further configured for supplying the light hardenable material through the perforation of the build platform for building up the object. The invention enables the making of colored objects by stereolithography.

Abstract: According to examples, an apparatus may include a printhead assembly containing a housing supporting a printhead. The printhead may have nozzles that are to fire droplets of a functional agent onto a layer of build material particles along respective flight paths to form sections of a 3D object from the build material particles, an array of light emission devices to direct respective light beams in the respective flight paths, and an array of photon detectors to detect respective light beams directed from a light source of the array of light emission devices, the light emission devices and the photon detectors being supported on the housing. The apparatus may also include a controller to determine whether any of the nozzles is operating improperly based upon whether the photon detectors detected the light beams and to output an instruction regarding an improperly operating nozzle in response to a determination that the nozzle is operating improperly.

Abstract: An object can be made one section at a time, that is layerwise, using an apparatus for making an object using a stereolithographic method. In a step of the stereolithographic method, a layer of a material used for making the object may be solidified in the shape of a section of the object. Disclosed herein is an apparatus (100) for making a stereolithographic object (122). Also disclosed herein is a method for making a stereolithographic object (122).

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is disclosed that comprises two or more lasers for precisely heating a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic feedstock and a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic workpiece in preparation for depositing and tamping the feedstock onto the workpiece. The system employs feedforward, a variety of sensors, and feedback to ensure that the feedstock and workpiece are properly heated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a casting apparatus (1) for the production of a cast sheet (10) of homogenized tobacco material, said casting system comprising: ?a casting box (4) adapted to contain a slurry of the homogenized tobacco material; ?a movable support (7); ?a casting system adapted to deposit the slurry contained in the casting box (4) onto the movable support (7) so as to form the cast sheet (10); ?a sensor (30) to detect a thickness of the cast sheet (10); ?wherein the sensor (30) includes a slider (33) comprising a planar surface (36) adapted to be in contact to a top surface of the cast sheet and a height detector (38) adapted to measure the height of the planar surface (36) so as to derive the thickness of the cast sheet (10). The invention also relates to a method to measure the thickness of a homogenized tobacco sheet (10).

Abstract: An photolithographic apparatus includes a particle removing cassette selectively extendable from the processing apparatus. The particle removing cassette includes a wind blade slit and an exhausting slit. The wind blade slit is configured to direct pressurized cleaning material to a surface of the mask to remove the debris particles from the surface of the mask. The exhausting slit collects the debris particles separated from the surface of the mask and contaminants through the exhaust line. In some embodiments, the wind blade slit includes an array of wind blade nozzles spaced apart within the wind blade slit. In some embodiments, the exhausting slit includes array of exhaust lines spaced apart within the exhausting slit.

Abstract: A frame curing template for imprinting formable material on a substrate and a system and a method of using the frame curing template. The template may comprise: a patterning surface on a mesa on a front side of the template; a recessed surface surrounding the mesa on the front side of the template; a recessed surface coating on the recessed surface. A first transmittance from a back side of the template through the recessed surface coating to actinic radiation may be below a first threshold transmittance. A first frame window may be inset within the recessed surface coating and surrounds the mesa. A second transmittance of the template from the back side of the template through the first frame window to the actinic radiation may be above the first threshold transmittance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a 3D printing bottom plate system, including a printing bottom plate and a storage unit for base plates, the printing bottom plate is movable in a direction towards or away from the storage unit for base plates; in the process of the printing bottom plate moving towards the storage unit for base plates, the lowermost one of base plates stored in a stacked manner in the storage unit for base plates slides onto the printing bottom plate; and in the process of the printing bottom plate moving away from the storage unit for base plates, the base plate slid onto the printing bottom plate is driven to a preset working position by the printing bottom plate.

Abstract: A support material for use in additive manufacturing includes greater than about 30 weight percent up to about 70 weight percent of a C12 to C18 fatty alcohol ethoxylate, about 30 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of a C16 to C22 fatty alcohol, and a tackifier, a transition temperature measured as the temperature immediately before phase change, based on viscosity measurement, is less than about 65° C. A system for additive manufacturing includes such a support material and a build material, the ratio of C12 to C18 fatty alcohol ethoxylate to C16 to C22 fatty alcohol is selected for property matching of the support material to the build material. A method of additive manufacturing includes providing such a system and printing via an inkjet printer the support material and the build material to provide a precursor to a three-dimensional printed article.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is provided including a light source configured to emit light, a vessel configured to contain a photopolymer, and a bed having a surface disposed at least partially within the vessel. The surface is movable in a first direction relative to the light source. A membrane is fixed to the vessel and is positioned between the light source and the photopolymer. A movable carrier is disposed between the light source and the membrane. The light source is operably coupled to the movable carrier.

Abstract: A method for printing a structure, the structure including a plurality of pillars. The method for printing can include ejecting only a first drop of a print material such as a liquid metal sequentially at each of a plurality of pillar locations, then ejecting only a second drop of the print material sequentially onto the first drop at each of the plurality of print locations. Additional drops can be ejected at two or more of the pillar locations to form the plurality of pillars. Ejecting only a first drop at each pillar location allows the first drop to cure (i.e., cool or dry) before ejecting the second drop. The printer continues printing while the drops cure, thus improving processing efficiency and increasing production throughput.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, comprising: a process chamber for receiving on a build surface of a build plate a bath of powdered material which can be solidified; a support for supporting on a supporting surface thereof said build plate in relation to a surface level of said bath of powdered material, wherein said build plate is removably connectable to said supporting surface; a solidifying device for solidifying a selective part of said material by emitting electromagnetic radiation; and a build plate takeover device comprising an actuating element for placing said build plate onto said supporting surface of said support for producing said object and removing said build plate from said supporting surface of said support. Method for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices including a light guide tool for multi-axis additive manufacturing. The light guide tool includes a tubular light guide. The tubular light guide may be made from an optically transmissive material enclosed by one or more reflective side walls that are interposed between opposing optically transmissive ends. The light guide tool includes an optical coupling fixed to a first end of the optically transmissive ends of the tubular light guide. The optical coupling is configured to couple to a lens. The light guide tool includes a transparent non-stick coating. The transparent non-stick coating is adhered over a second end of the optically transmissive ends of the tubular light guide. The light guide tool includes a lens. The lens is coupled to the optical coupling and configured to emit a two-dimensional light pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods that prevent oxygen inhibition of a light-initiated polymerization reaction by purging the oxygen from reaction surfaces using inert gas flow. In some embodiments, oxygen is purged using a gas diffusion system that introduces, via a diffuser, an inert gas into a workspace between a UV light source and a UV curable layer of a workpiece. The diffuser may be made of a transparent or diffuse material to allow UV light to pass through it, and includes an array of micro-holes for the gas to pass through towards the workpiece. The inert gas flow may be heated to maintain a desired and uniform reaction temperature.

Abstract: A multiple axis robotic additive manufacturing system includes a robotic arm movable in six degrees of freedom. The system includes a build platform movable in at least two degrees of freedom and independent of the movement of the robotic arm to position the part being built to counteract effects of gravity based upon part geometry. The system includes an extruder mounted at an end of the robotic arm. The extruder is configured to extrude at least part material with a plurality of flow rates, wherein movement of the robotic arm and the build platform are synchronized with the flow rate of the extruded material to build the 3D part.

Abstract: It is disclosed a 3D printing system and a build material spreading method for a 3D printer that comprises: moving a spreader in a first pass in a first direction over a pile of build material at a first separation distance from a dosing surface thereby sweeping a first amount of build material; modify the first separation distance by the distance adjustment unit to a second separation distance; and moving the spreader in a second pass in a second direction towards the build surface to sweep a second amount of build material in a direction towards the build surface.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing device includes a recoater configured to push powder onto a build platform. The recoater defines an advancing direction for pushing powder. A first baffle is mounted to a first end of a leading edge of the recoater and a second baffle mounted to a second end of the leading edge of the recoater opposite the first end. Each of the first and second baffles includes a base mounted to the recoater, a first wall that extends obliquely ahead of and laterally outward from the base relative to the advancing direction, and a second wall opposite the first wall. The second wall extends obliquely ahead of and laterally inward from the base relative to the advancing direction. A volume is defined between the first and second wall with capacity to collect powder as the recoater advances.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for forming an arcuate component by additive layer manufacturing (ALM). The system comprises a base plate for receiving a layer of powdered material and having opposing inner and outer transverse edges and an energy beam source for generating an energy beam for fusing a portion of the powdered material. The base plate is moveable away from the energy beam source from a first position to a vertically lower second position along an arcuate path such that the outer transverse edge traces an outer arc having a greater radius than an inner arc traced by the inner transverse edge. The present disclosure also relates to a base plate apparatus for use in ALM that is movable along an arcuate path and an ALM method using the base plate apparatus/system.

Abstract: In one example, a reflector assembly includes a single reflector having at least two elliptical-shaped reflector cavities each with a respective focus point. The shape of the single reflector includes two partial elliptical-shaped reflector cavities having mirror-asymmetric profiles on each end of the single reflector each having a first side extending to a distal end and the first side longer than an opposite second side. The remaining elliptical-shaped reflector cavities have a first side and a second side the same length as the opposite second sides of the two partial elliptical-shaped reflector cavities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a construction chamber (1) for an apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising a construction chamber base body (2) which limits a construction volume (4) forming a construction room (3), wherein the construction chamber base body (2) is formed segmented in several construction chamber base body segments (2a, 2b) that can be attached or are attached to each other forming the construction chamber base body (2).

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: Powder module (5), in particular for an apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2), which powder module (5) comprises a powder chamber (10) with at least one wall portion (11) defining a powder room, in which powder room a carrying element (9) is provided that is moveably supported relative to the powder chamber (10), at least one support unit (13) is adapted to provide a non-locating bearing of the carrying element (9) relative to the at least one wall portion (11).

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, comprising at least one process chamber (2), wherein the process chamber (2) comprises at least two chamber segments (3, 4), wherein at least one chamber segment (3, 4) is mounted on the at least one other chamber segment (3, 4) and is separately detachable.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a platform, a dispenser to deliver a plurality of successive layers of feed material on the platform, a light source to generate one or more light beams, a first galvo mirror scanner positioned to direct a first light beam onto a topmost layer of the plurality of successive layers, a second galvo mirror scanner positioned to direct a second light beam onto the topmost layer of the plurality of successive layers, and a controller configured to cause the first galvo mirror scanner to direct the first light beam to pre-heat or heat-treat an area of the topmost layer and to cause the second galvo mirror scanner to direct the second light beam to fuse the area of the topmost layer.

Abstract: An imprint lithography template including an alignment mark including at least two columns or at least two rows of features spaced apart from one another, and a dummy-fill region, wherein the alignment mark is spaced apart from the dummy-fill region, and wherein a closest distance between the at least two columns or the at least two rows is less than a closest distance between any portion of the at least two columns or the at least two rows and the dummy-fill region. In an embodiment, the at least two columns or the at least two rows are spaced apart by at least 0.5 microns. In a further embodiment, the closest distance between the at least two columns or the at least two rows and the dummy-fill region is at least 2 microns.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for performing a three dimensional (3D) printing process. A primary light beam having a wavelength sufficient to initiate polymerization of a photoresin is generated and patterned into a patterned primary beam. The patterned primary beam is directed toward an ultraviolet (UV) or visible light sensitive photoresin to initiate polymerization of select areas of the photoresin. The photoresin is also illuminated with a secondary light beam having a wavelength of at least one of about 765 nm, 1064 nm, or 1273 nm. The secondary light beam stimulates triplet oxygen into singlet oxygen, which controls oxygen inhibition in additional areas bordering the select areas, to enable controlled polymerization inhibition in the additional areas bordering the select areas.

Abstract: A curing system for printing of 3D objects having one or more sources of curing radiation moveably attached to and flanking at least one side of an extrusion head and extrusion nozzle wherein the extrusion head and extrusion nozzle and the at least one source of curing radiation act in unison as a single unit wherein curing of deposited curable material is applied concurrently with or immediately following deposition of the curable material.

Abstract: A metal three-dimensional printer, a printing method, and a three-dimensional printing material. The three-dimensional printer includes a printing head, a heating apparatus, a printing platform, and a sintering shaping chamber. The printing method includes a preliminary shaping step and a sintering step. The heating apparatus heats the three-dimensional printing material. A heating temperature of the heating apparatus is 50° C. to 300° C., and a binder bonds metal powder at 50° C. to 300° C., and the three-dimensional printing material is extruded onto the printing platform to form a preliminary cured object. In the sintering step, the preliminary cured object is sintered and cured into a shaped object.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system including a base assembly and a tray assembly. The base assembly includes a build window, substantially transparent to electromagnetic radiation; a projection system configured to project electromagnetic radiation toward an upper surface of the build window; and a tray seat arranged around a perimeter of the build window. The tray assembly is configured to engage with the base assembly in an engaged configuration and includes: a tray structure defining a registration feature configured to engage the tray seat to locate an aperture proximal to the upper surface of the build window in the engaged configuration; and a separation membrane that is configured to laminate across the upper surface of the build window in response to an evacuation of gas from an interstitial region and configured to separate from the build window in response to injection of gas into the interstitial region.

Abstract: An optical shaping apparatus includes: a light source unit that outputs collimated light; an optical function unit that is disposed on an optical path of the collimated light and modulates the optical path or a phase of the collimated light; and a control unit that controls operation of the optical function unit, to irradiate a target surface with modulated light produced in the optical function unit.

Abstract: According to an example, a three-dimensional (3D) printer may include a first delivery device to selectively deposit a fusing agent onto a layer of build materials and a second delivery device to deposit coolant droplets at tuned drop weights onto the layer of build materials. The 3D printer may also include a controller to control the second delivery device to selectively deposit the coolant droplets at the tuned drop weights onto selected areas of the build material layer, in which the drop weights of the selectively deposited coolant droplets are tuned to provide a thermal balance between multiple areas of the build material layer during application of fusing radiation onto the build material layer.

Abstract: The stop time of a whole apparatus caused by planning of shaping, maintenance, replacement of a material, or the like is shortened. A three-dimensional laminating and shaping apparatus includes a plurality of shaping chambers, at least one material supplier that supplies a material of a three-dimensional laminated and shaped object onto a shaping table in each of the shaping chambers, at least one light beam irradiator that irradiates the material with a light beam, and a controller that controls the material supplier and the light beam irradiator. If the material supplier supplies the material onto one of the shaping tables, the controller controls the light beam irradiator to perform irradiation of the light beam onto the other one of the shaping tables.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a resin vessel, a light engine, a support scaffold, and a positioning actuator. The resin vessel includes an opening closed by a transparent sheet with opposed upper and lower surfaces. The light engine is disposed below the transparent sheet and is configured to transmit or project radiation up through the transparent sheet for selectively curing layers of the resin over a build plane. The support scaffold includes at least one ridge having an upper surface that contacts the lower surface of the transparent sheet to reduce an unsupported width. At a first lateral position the scaffold blocks the radiation from reaching a first blocked region of the build plane. The positioning actuator is configured to laterally move the scaffold from the first position to a second position to allow radiation to reach the first blocked region of the build plane.