3D SYSTEMS, INC.

A 3D printing system includes a machine chassis, a build vessel, a carriage, an actuator, a build platform, and a light engine. The build vessel is supported by the machine chassis and contains a photocurable liquid. The build vessel includes a downward extending tension ring that tensions a transparent sheet and defines a datum plane. The carriage supports a glass plate and a roller. The carriage is configured to press the roller against the two opposing sides of the tension ring. The actuator is configured to vertically position an upper surface of the glass plate in two positions including (U) an upper position at which the upper surface of the glass plate is coplanar with the datum plane and (L) a lower position in which the upper surface of the glass is spaced away from the datum plane.

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system includes a printhead, a printhead carriage, a horizontal movement mechanism, a printhead mount, a plurality of flexures, and an adjustable actuator. The printhead mount is configured to receive the printhead. The plurality of flexures couple the printhead mount to the printhead carriage. The adjustable actuator is configured to engage and position the printhead mount with a range of motion over which the plurality of flexures are under continuous bending stress to a fixed geometric configuration.

In one aspect, methods for forming three-dimensional articles are described. In some embodiments, a method described herein comprises providing a first mold, wherein the first mold comprises an interior volume, and injecting a first fluid material into the interior volume of the first mold. The method further comprises solidifying the injected first fluid material within the interior volume of the first mold to form a solidified object.

A method of manufacturing a 3D article includes operating a 3D printing system including an elevator coupled to a vertical movement mechanism, and a distance sensor. The elevator includes an elevator actuator. The vertical movement mechanism is coupled to the elevator. The build platform includes a build plate having a lower surface. The method includes loading the build platform onto the elevator, operating the vertical movement mechanism to lower the lower surface of the build platform into a measurement range with the distance sensor, scanning the distance sensor along a lateral axis, concurrent with scanning the distance sensor, receiving a signal from the distance sensor indicative of a plurality of vertical locations along the lateral axis of the lower surface of the build platform, and operating the elevator actuator to adjust a height of the lower surface of the build platform.

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system includes a print engine and a resin vessel. The print engine includes a pair of support plates in facing relation that define a receiving space therebetween. The pair of support plates include a pair of profiled ramps and a pair of hooks extending into the receiving space. An outer surface of the resin vessel includes a plurality of fixed rollers and a pair of cam rollers. The plurality of fixed rollers are configured to partially engage the pair of profiled ramps when the resin vessel is translated into the receiving space. In response to being revolved about the horizontal axis, the pair of cam rollers are configured to engage the pair of hooks and to lift and translate the plurality of fixed rollers into complete engagement with the pair of profiled ramps.

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system includes a build vessel, a build plate, a horizontal movement mechanism, a light engine, and a controller. The build vessel includes a windowed portion defining a plurality of N openings. The plurality of N openings individually have a major axis along a lateral Y-axis and are spatially separated and arranged along a lateral X-axis. The build vessel includes a transparent sheet that closes the plurality of N openings. The build plate has having a lower surface overlaying and in facing relation with the N openings. The horizontal movement mechanism is configured to impart a change in relative positioning between the windowed portion of the build vessel and the build plate along the lateral X-axis. The light engine is positioned below the build vessel and configured to project pixelated light up through the openings to a build plane above the transparent sheet.

Compositions and methods for additive manufacturing applications are described herein which, in some embodiments, impart flame resistant and/or flame retardant properties to articles printed or formed from the compositions and methods. In some embodiments, a composition described herein comprises an aluminum-containing species. In some cases, the aluminum-containing species comprises Al(OH) 3 . In some instances, the aluminum-containing species comprises a species of Formula I or Formula II described herein.

A manufacturing system includes an additive manufacturing (AM) system and a fluid supported molding system. The AM system is configured to produce a plastic mold. The fluid supported molding system includes a pressure vessel surrounding a pressure chamber. The pressure vessel is configured to contain a fluid surrounding the mold. The fluid supported molding system also includes a mold material injector configured to inject a mold material into the mold. During the injection of mold material into the mold, the fluid surrounding the mold is configured to resist defection of an outer surface of the mold.

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system configured to manufacture a three-dimensional (3D) article includes a base, a build vessel, an air control system, a build plate, a light engine, and a controller. The build vessel is configured to contain a body of photocurable resin. The build vessel includes a transparent plate, a support frame, and a transparent sheet. The transparent plate has a planar upper surface. The support frame defines a conduit that extends to a peripheral edge of the transparent plate. The transparent sheet is tensioned over the planar upper surface of the transparent plate and extends over the support frame. The controller is programmed to operate the air control system to inject a controlled volume of air then to apply a controlled negative gauge pressure to the conduit. This has the effect of inflating and deflating the transparent sheet relative to the planar upper surface of the transparent plate.

A three-dimensional (3D) printing system is configured to print a 3D article in a layer-by-layer manner and includes a vertical beam, an elevator, and a build platform. The elevator is configured for vertical translation along the vertical beam and includes an upper support and a lower support. The lower support includes at least one elevator actuator extending upward from an upper side. The upper support has a lower side including a datum surface in engagement with the actuator. The elevator actuator is configured to modulate a position of the upper side of the upper support. The build platform includes a build plate coupled below a support plate. The build plate has a lower side for formation of the 3D article. The support plate has a lower side that engages the upper side of the upper support of the elevator to support the build platform.