This method describes techniques to create 3D parts by dispensing a liquid polymer or slurry in evenly delivered layers, which are exposed to light from a visual display screen before the print platform upon which it is being built is moved one-layer thickness away and the process is repeated. The process of dispensing the photosensitive material is via a pumped system through a metering device that discharges and levels the material. Multiple dispensing devices can be arranged in sequence to deliver different materials, either multiple photosensitive dispensing heads or alternative mechanisms such as robocasting, fused deposition modelling or inkjet in addition to a photosensitive deposition head.

A three-dimensional molding device includes a discharge unit that discharges a molding material towards a stage, a heating unit that heats the discharge unit, a temperature acquisition unit that acquires a temperature of the molding material placed on the stage, and a control unit. The control unit controls the heating unit such that a relationship of a temperature Tb of an existing layer, a path cross-sectional area Sb of the existing layer, a specific gravity ρb of a first thermoplastic resin contained in the existing layer, a specific heat Cb of the first thermoplastic resin, a temperature Tu of the heating unit, a path cross-sectional area Su of a subsequent layer, a specific gravity ρu of a second thermoplastic resin contained in the subsequent layer, a specific heat Cu of the second thermoplastic resin, a thermal decomposition temperature Td that is a lower temperature between a thermal decomposition temperature of the first thermoplastic resin and a thermal decomposition temperature of the second thermoplastic resin, and a glass transition point Tg that is a higher glass transition point between a glass transition point of the first thermoplastic resin and a glass transition point of the second thermoplastic resin satisfies the following expression (1).
Td>(Tu×Su×ρu×Cu+Tb×Sb×ρb×Cb)/(Su×ρu×Cu+Sb×ρb×Cb)>Tg  (1)

A three-dimensional molding device includes a discharge unit that discharges a molding material towards a stage, a heating unit that heats the discharge unit, a temperature acquisition unit that acquires a temperature of the molding material placed on the stage, and a control unit. The control unit controls the heating unit such that a relationship of a temperature Tb of an existing layer, a path cross-sectional area Sb of the existing layer, a specific gravity ρb of a first thermoplastic resin contained in the existing layer, a specific heat Cb of the first thermoplastic resin, a temperature Tu of the heating unit, a path cross-sectional area Su of a subsequent layer, a specific gravity ρu of a second thermoplastic resin contained in the subsequent layer, a specific heat Cu of the second thermoplastic resin, a thermal decomposition temperature Td that is a lower temperature between a thermal decomposition temperature of the first thermoplastic resin and a thermal decomposition temperature of the second thermoplastic resin, and a glass transition point Tg that is a higher glass transition point between a glass transition point of the first thermoplastic resin and a glass transition point of the second thermoplastic resin satisfies the following expression (1).
Td>(Tu×Su×ρu×Cu+Tb×Sb×ρb×Cb)/(Su×ρu×Cu+Sb×ρb×Cb)>Tg  (1)

A 3D printing system for construction includes a 3D printing assembly having a pair of tower assemblies, and a pair of rail assemblies. The pair of tower assemblies are movably disposed on the pair of rail assemblies. Each of the pair of rail assemblies defines a longitudinal axis and the pair of tower assemblies are configured to move on the pair of rail assemblies in a direction along the longitudinal axis. Each of the rail assemblies includes a plurality of rail parts. Each of the rail parts includes at least one track extending along the longitudinal axis, an aligning protrusion at a first end portion thereof, and an aligning groove at a second end portion thereof. The aligning groove is configured to accept the aligning protrusion of an adjacent rail part.

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.

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.

A filament feeder (1) for use in a fused filament fabrication printer comprises a feeder body (2) which comprises a channel (3) for guiding a filament (F) there through. A first and a second driven grip roller (4, 5) are arranged on opposing sides of the channel (3) for clamped engagement with the filament (F), wherein the first grip roller (4) is rotationally arranged about a first roller axis (4a) and the second grip roller (5) is rotationally arranged about a second roller axis (5a). The feeder comprises a first drive gear (6) for driving the first grip roller (4), the first drive gear (6) being rotatably arranged about the first roller axis (4a), a second drive gear (7) for driving the second grip roller (5), the second drive gear being rotatably arranged about the second roller axis (5a), and a suspension system (S) for suspension of the first and second grip roller (4,5) and of the first and second drive gear (6,7). The suspension system (S) is arranged to allow lateral movement of the first and second grip rollers (4, 5) with respect to the channel (3) for providing a variable distance (D+AD) between the first and second roller axes (4a, 5a).

A method for additive manufacturing includes: at a build tray arranged over a build window and containing a resin reservoir of a resin, heating the resin reservoir toward a target bulk resin temperature less than a heat deflection temperature of the resin in a photocured state; at a resin interface between a surface of the build window and the resin reservoir, heating an interface layer of the resin reservoir toward a target reaction temperature; and, in response to the resin reservoir exhibiting a first temperature proximal the target bulk resin temperature and to the interface layer exhibiting a second temperature proximal the target reaction temperature: at the resin interface, selectively photocuring a first volume of the resin to form a first layer of a build adhered to a build platform; and retracting the build platform away from the build window.

A method for additive manufacturing includes: at a build tray arranged over a build window and containing a resin reservoir of a resin, heating the resin reservoir toward a target bulk resin temperature less than a heat deflection temperature of the resin in a photocured state; at a resin interface between a surface of the build window and the resin reservoir, heating an interface layer of the resin reservoir toward a target reaction temperature; and, in response to the resin reservoir exhibiting a first temperature proximal the target bulk resin temperature and to the interface layer exhibiting a second temperature proximal the target reaction temperature: at the resin interface, selectively photocuring a first volume of the resin to form a first layer of a build adhered to a build platform; and retracting the build platform away from the build window.

A 3D printer according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes: a resin tank accommodating a resin material; a molding plate movable up and down in the resin tank, and supporting a printed object formed by stacking a plurality of unit forming layers in sequence; an up-and-down movement actuator actuating at least one of the resin tank and the molding plate to move up and down; an exposure unit emitting light toward the molding plate; and a lens sheet including a first material layer including a molding surface facing the molding plate and a light receiving surface facing the exposure unit, disposed between the molding plate and the exposure unit, formed with a plurality of fine lens units for converging and diffusing the light from the exposure unit on one surface, and having a high refractive index, and a second material layer including a concavo-convex portion to be engaged with the fine lens unit of the first material layer, and having a low refractive index.