A 3D printer includes: a tank containing a photocurable resin; a spatial light modulator disposed under the tank and selectively delivering light to a specific region of the photocurable resin, the spatial light modulator including a light source; a positioning stage disposed under the spatial light modulator and moving the spatial light modulator along multiple axes; and a controller controlling the spatial light modulator and the positioning stage, wherein the controller controls the spatial light modulator and the positioning stage such that the spatial light modulator is moved along a specific path and regions of the photocurable resin illuminated with the light partially overlap one another to allow a cumulatively illuminated region to be cured.

A 3D printer includes: a tank containing a photocurable resin; a spatial light modulator disposed under the tank and selectively delivering light to a specific region of the photocurable resin, the spatial light modulator including a light source; a positioning stage disposed under the spatial light modulator and moving the spatial light modulator along multiple axes; and a controller controlling the spatial light modulator and the positioning stage, wherein the controller controls the spatial light modulator and the positioning stage such that the spatial light modulator is moved along a specific path and regions of the photocurable resin illuminated with the light partially overlap one another to allow a cumulatively illuminated region to be cured.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a support plate and a foil supporting an uncured layer of a resin. A stage is configured to hold a component of one or more cured layers of the resin. One or more actuators is operable to move the stage away from the support plate in a Z-axis direction. A radiant energy device is positioned opposite the stage such that the support plate is positioned between the radiant energy device and the stage. A foil interaction device includes a first pneumatic actuation zone and a second pneumatic actuation zone. Each of the first and second pneumatic actuation zones is configured to apply a force on a surface of the foil. The first and second pneumatic actuation zones are fluidly separable and configured to apply varied pressures relative to one another to the surface of the foil.

An embodiment fused deposition modeling (FDM) type 3D printing apparatus includes a printing bed having a space for printing out an output on an upper surface thereof and a nozzle unit provided on the printing bed and configured to extrude a molten output material and print the molten output material out to the printing bed, the nozzle unit including a primary nozzle tip configured to primarily extrude the molten output material and a secondary nozzle tip selectively coupled to the primary nozzle tip and configured to secondarily extrude the molten output material.

An embodiment fused deposition modeling (FDM) type 3D printing apparatus includes a printing bed having a space for printing out an output on an upper surface thereof and a nozzle unit provided on the printing bed and configured to extrude a molten output material and print the molten output material out to the printing bed, the nozzle unit including a primary nozzle tip configured to primarily extrude the molten output material and a secondary nozzle tip selectively coupled to the primary nozzle tip and configured to secondarily extrude the molten output material.

An integrated box-type 3D printing device, having a support structure, a first bracket, a second bracket, and a printer body. The first bracket is movable back and forth in a first direction on the support structure. The printer body is arranged on the second bracket. The second bracket is movable back and forth in a second direction relative to the first bracket. The printer body is movable back and forth in a third direction on the second bracket. The support structure is provided with an accommodating space for accommodating the second bracket. The second bracket is foldable in the opposite direction to the third direction so that the second bracket is foldable into the accommodating space so that the integrated box-type 3D printing device assumes a transport and storage configuration when the second bracket is folded into the accommodating space.

An integrated box-type 3D printing device, having a support structure, a first bracket, a second bracket, and a printer body. The first bracket is movable back and forth in a first direction on the support structure. The printer body is arranged on the second bracket. The second bracket is movable back and forth in a second direction relative to the first bracket. The printer body is movable back and forth in a third direction on the second bracket. The support structure is provided with an accommodating space for accommodating the second bracket. The second bracket is foldable in the opposite direction to the third direction so that the second bracket is foldable into the accommodating space so that the integrated box-type 3D printing device assumes a transport and storage configuration when the second bracket is folded into the accommodating space.

A three-dimensional printing system includes a vertical support beam, a resin vessel assembly coupled to the vertical support beam and including a resin vessel, and a support tray positioning system. The support tray positioning system includes a support tray elevator, a lead screw nut, a motorized lead screw, an intermediate nut, and a linear bearing. The motorized lead screw engages the lead screw nut to raise and lower the support tray elevator. The linear bearing constrains motion of the support tray elevator to vertical motion. The support tray elevator, the intermediate nut, and the lead screw nut interlock to constrain rotational motion of the lead screw nut with respect to the support tray elevator while allowing for two dimensional lateral motion of the lead screw nut with respect to the support tray elevator to accommodate mechanical tolerances of the lead screw with respect to the linear bearing.

A three-dimensional printing system includes a vertical support beam, a resin vessel assembly coupled to the vertical support beam and including a resin vessel, and a support tray positioning system. The support tray positioning system includes a support tray elevator, a lead screw nut, a motorized lead screw, an intermediate nut, and a linear bearing. The motorized lead screw engages the lead screw nut to raise and lower the support tray elevator. The linear bearing constrains motion of the support tray elevator to vertical motion. The support tray elevator, the intermediate nut, and the lead screw nut interlock to constrain rotational motion of the lead screw nut with respect to the support tray elevator while allowing for two dimensional lateral motion of the lead screw nut with respect to the support tray elevator to accommodate mechanical tolerances of the lead screw with respect to the linear bearing.

An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A resin management system includes a material deposition assembly upstream configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The material deposition assembly includes a reservoir configured to retain a first volume of the resin and define a thickness of the resin on the resin support as the resin support is translated in an X-axis direction. The material deposition assembly further includes a vessel positioned above the reservoir in a Z-axis direction and configured to store a second volume of the resin. In addition, the material deposition assembly includes a conduit configured to direct the resin from the vessel to the reservoir.