A method for producing a three-dimensional object comprises the following operations: introducing a composition into a polymerization vessel; and polymerizing the composition by multiphoton polymerization, by means of a light source, in predetermined spots, in order to produce the three-dimensional object, the composition comprising at least one monomer, at least one filler and at least one photoinitiator, the composition having a transmittance per unit of length to the emission wavelengths of the light source, which is preferably higher than 75% and the at least one filler comprises nanoparticles.

A method of making a three-dimensional object (31) is carried out by: (a) providing a carrier (15) and an optically transparent member (12) having a build surface, the carrier (15) and the build surface defining a build region therebetween, the optically transparent member (12) carrying a polymerizable liquid (21); (b) advancing the carrier (15) and the optically transparent member (12) away from one another to draw the polymerizable liquid (21) into the build region; then (c) optionally, partially retracting the carrier (15) and the optically transparent member (12) back towards one another; and then (d) irradiating the build region with light to form a growing three-dimensional object (31) from the polymerizable liquid (21); and then (e) cyclically repeating steps (b) to (d) while maintaining a continuous liquid interface (22) between the growing three-dimensional object (31) and the optically transparent member (12) until at least a portion of the three-dimensional object (31) is formed, while during at least some of the cyclically repeatings: (i) monitoring a transient increase in tension between the carrier (15) and the build surface through the growing three-dimensional object (31) during the advancing step (b), and optionally monitoring a transient increase in compression between the carrier (15) and the build surface through the growing three dimensional object during the partially retracting step (c); and then, when the transient increase in tension has substantially subsided, (ii) initiating the partially retracting step (c) when present, or initiating the irradiating step (d).

The present disclosure provides methods, systems, and apparatuses relating to hardware configurations for performing multi-wavelength three dimensional (3D) printing using photoinhibition. In at least one aspect, a system for 3D printing comprises a reservoir capable of holding a liquid including a photoactive resin, a build head that undergoes relative motion within the reservoir during 3D printing of a 3D object on the build head, a light projection device that projects a photoinitiation light beam at a first wavelength into a build area within the liquid, and a plurality of light sources arranged with respect to the light projection device and the reservoir that project a plurality of photoinhibiting light beams into the build area at a second wavelength. Each of the plurality of photoinhibition light beams may be projected at a peak intensity in a different respective position in the build area.

Three-dimensional printing methods and systems use a derived geometry and aligns anisotropic inclusions in any orientation at any number of discrete volumetric sections. Structural, thermal, or geometry-based analyses are combined with inclusion alignment computations and print preparation methods and provided to 3D printers to produce composite material parts that meet demanding geometric needs as well as enhanced structural and thermal requirements. In one example, optimal inclusion alignment vectors associated with a section of the object are calculated based on specifications for the object, segmenting a three-dimensional model of the object into layer slices, grouping each section within each layer slice having similar alignment vectors and combining the groupings and generating printing instructions for the object according to the grouped alignment vectors.

Provided are a stereolithography apparatus and a method for producing a shaped article which are applicable to various shaping materials. The stereolithography apparatus according to the present embodiment comprises: laser source configured to generate laser light having a wavelength of (510 n)m or shorter; objective lens configured to focus the laser light to shaping material; and scanner configured to change a focus position of the laser light to the shaping material, wherein the shaping material is cured by two-photon absorption of the laser light having a wavelength (510 n)m or shorter to form shaped article.

A coated powder for use in additive manufacturing includes a base polymer layer formed of a base polymer material and a coating polymer layer formed of a coating polymer material. At least the coating polymer material is susceptible to dielectric heating in response to electromagnetic radiation, thereby promoting fusion between adjacent particles of coated powder that are deposited during the additive manufacturing process. Specifically, when electromagnetic radiation is applied to at least an interface area between adjacent particles of coated powder, the polymer coating layer melts to diffuse across the interface area, thereby preventing formation of voids. The base polymer material and the coating polymer material also may have similar melting points and compatible solubility parameters to further promote fusion between particles.

Stereolithography using solid thermoplastic photopolymer plates/sheets/films provides a new technique to make 3D printed objects. In this new additive manufacturing process, objects are built layer-wise using thermoplastic photopolymers and actinic radiation. The thermoplastic photopolymer compositions consist of a thermoplastic photopolymer layer sandwiched between a transparent flexible base without an anchoring layer and a release film. Un-crosslinked portions of the 3D printed object are removed by heat. Preferred method of radiation exposure is digital light processing (DLP)

A substrate holder for a lithographic apparatus has a main body having a thin-film stack provided on a surface thereof. The thin-film stack forms an electronic or electric component such as an electrode, a sensor, a heater, a transistor or a logic device, and has a top isolation layer. A plurality of burs to support a substrate are formed on the thin-film stack or in apertures of the thin-film stack.

A sacrificial substrate for use in stereolithography, having a first surface configured to be attached to a build platform, and a second surface of the sacrificial substrate configured to be attached to a photopolymer part. The sacrificial substrate physically separates the build platform and the photopolymer part, and serves as the deposition surface for the photopolymer part in place of the build platform. The sacrificial substrate may be separated from the build platform and then separated from the photopolymer part via pyrolysis, oxidation, or etching to thereby yield the free photopolymer part without subjecting the part to excess physical force or damage.

An apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects includes a scanning unit configured to scan an energy beam over a build plane, and a focusing unit that includes an optical lens or lens system. The focusing unit may be configured to control a focal position of the energy beam based on calibration information. The focal position may be controlled by moving the focusing unit in the z-direction relative to the build plane without changing the focal length of the energy beam. Methods of calibrating such an apparatus may include moving a focusing unit in the z-direction relative to a build plane based on calibration information and scanning an energy beam over at least a portion of the build plane using a scanning unit, with the focusing unit being configured to control a focal position of the energy beam without changing the focal length of the energy beam.