A tank assembly for a 3D printing system may include a membrane assembly that is releasably secured to a bottom rim of a tank sidewall of the tank assembly. The securing mechanism may include one or more of a friction-fit coupling and a magnetic coupling. The membrane assembly may include a frame, a radiation-transparent flexible membrane and a membrane securing member. A peripheral portion of the flexible membrane may be secured within a groove of the frame by the membrane securing member. The tank sidewall may include one or more components for supplying fresh resin to the tank assembly and one or more components for draining used resin from the tank assembly.

An improved method and apparatus for adding a new layer to a stack of previously processed layers. In an example, a method is provided for mounting the previously processed layer on a build platform, mounting the new layer on a substrate, aligning the new layer with the previously processed layer, moving the new layer and the previously processed into contact with one another, and applying energy to the new layer from an energy source through the substrate to simultaneously process the new layer and bond the new layer to the previously processed layer to form a bonded processed multilayer stack on the build platform. A flexible compliant pressure conveyance media is moved into contact with the substrate to apply pressure to the new layer while the energy is being applied.

An improved method and apparatus for adding a new layer to a stack of previously processed layers. In an example, a method is provided for mounting the previously processed layer on a build platform, mounting the new layer on a substrate, aligning the new layer with the previously processed layer, moving the new layer and the previously processed into contact with one another, and applying energy to the new layer from an energy source through the substrate to simultaneously process the new layer and bond the new layer to the previously processed layer to form a bonded processed multilayer stack on the build platform. A flexible compliant pressure conveyance media is moved into contact with the substrate to apply pressure to the new layer while the energy is being applied.

Improved carrier plates and methods of use thereof are provided to secure and transport individual layers of a multilayer structure during manufacture of the multilayer structure. In one implementation a carrier plate is provided including a lower portion and a raised portion to support a flexible substrate holding an individual layer laid on an upper surface of the raised portion. Clamping mechanisms, such as rollers, are formed on extended regions adjacent to side walls of the raised portion. The clamping mechanisms are configured to move from open positions, where the clamping mechanisms are spaced apart from the sidewalls of the raised portion, to closed positions, where the clamping mechanisms secure opposite edge portions of the flexible substrate between the clamping mechanisms and the first and sidewalls of the raised portion.

Improved carrier plates and methods of use thereof are provided to secure and transport individual layers of a multilayer structure during manufacture of the multilayer structure. In one implementation a carrier plate is provided including a lower portion and a raised portion to support a flexible substrate holding an individual layer laid on an upper surface of the raised portion. Clamping mechanisms, such as rollers, are formed on extended regions adjacent to side walls of the raised portion. The clamping mechanisms are configured to move from open positions, where the clamping mechanisms are spaced apart from the sidewalls of the raised portion, to closed positions, where the clamping mechanisms secure opposite edge portions of the flexible substrate between the clamping mechanisms and the first and sidewalls of the raised portion.

Many materials (e.g., PVDF) are difficult to use in additive manufacturing processes because the material does not bond to the build platform of additive manufacturing machines. In order to use such materials, a build platform can use a difference in air pressure to hold a base film in position on a top plate of the build platform. An object is to be printed using the material and the base film is of a material that the material will bond to during the printing process. The difference in air pressure may be achieved using a build plate with a voided internal region and a top plate with apertures. A low pressure source can draw a vacuum in the voided internal region. Placing the base film over the apertures causes the base film to be held in place by the difference in air pressure.

Many materials (e.g., PVDF) are difficult to use in additive manufacturing processes because the material does not bond to the build platform of additive manufacturing machines. In order to use such materials, a build platform can use a difference in air pressure to hold a base film in position on a top plate of the build platform. An object is to be printed using the material and the base film is of a material that the material will bond to during the printing process. The difference in air pressure may be achieved using a build plate with a voided internal region and a top plate with apertures. A low pressure source can draw a vacuum in the voided internal region. Placing the base film over the apertures causes the base film to be held in place by the difference in air pressure.

A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a dispensing unit including a nozzle; a stage having a shaping surface on which a shaping material is to be laminated; a position changing unit configured to change a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; a control unit configured to control the position changing unit; and a measurement module used to measure a difference of the nozzle from a reference position in the shaping surface based on a first position of the nozzle in the shaping surface and a second position of the nozzle in the shaping surface. The first position is a position in which the nozzle is assumed to be positioned by the control unit controlling the position changing unit. The second position is a position changed by the control unit controlling the position changing unit.

A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a dispensing unit including a nozzle; a stage having a shaping surface on which a shaping material is to be laminated; a position changing unit configured to change a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; a control unit configured to control the position changing unit; and a measurement module used to measure a difference of the nozzle from a reference position in the shaping surface based on a first position of the nozzle in the shaping surface and a second position of the nozzle in the shaping surface. The first position is a position in which the nozzle is assumed to be positioned by the control unit controlling the position changing unit. The second position is a position changed by the control unit controlling the position changing unit.

A three-dimensional shaping system includes a first table provided with a first positioning mechanism, a first shaping machine configured to shape a first shaped object on the first table, a first cutting machine provided with a first mounting portion having a second positioning mechanism and configured to cut the first shaped object, a conveying machine configured to convey the first table between the first shaping machine and the first cutting machine, and a control unit configured to control the first shaping machine, the first cutting machine, and the conveying machine. The control unit controls the first shaping machine to shape the first shaped object, controls the conveying machine to convey the first table from the first shaping machine to the first cutting machine so that the first and second positioning mechanisms engage with each other, and controls the first cutting machine to cut the first shaped object.