A three-dimensional printing kit can include a polymeric build material including from about 80 wt % to 100 wt % polymer particles having an average particle size from about 10 μm to about 150 μm; and a fusing agent including an aqueous liquid vehicle and from about 2 wt % to about 20 wt % radiation absorber. The radiation absorber can include a charged yellow water-soluble dye that can be from about 1 wt % to about 40 wt % soluble in water.

A three-dimensional printing kit can include a polymeric build material including from about 80 wt % to 100 wt % polymer particles having an average particle size from about 10 μm to about 150 μm; and a fusing agent including an aqueous liquid vehicle and from about 2 wt % to about 20 wt % radiation absorber. The radiation absorber can include a charged yellow water-soluble dye that can be from about 1 wt % to about 40 wt % soluble in water.

A method for determining a set point for a thermal sensor. The method includes: (a) distributing a layer of particulate material forming a build bed surface; (b) optionally, preheating the layer to a temperature below its melting temperature; (c) measuring a first temperature value with a primary or secondary thermal sensor; (d) depositing absorption modifier over the test region and/or surrounding area; (e) heating the test region; (f) measuring a second temperature value with the primary sensor; (g) distributing another layer of material over the preceding layer; repeating steps (b) to (g), such that the test region of each layer reaches a higher temperature than that of the preceding layer, at least until the test region starts to melt; determining a set point for the primary sensor from a characteristic in the evolution of the measured temperature values; and applying the set point to subsequent measurements of the primary sensor.

A method for determining a set point for a thermal sensor. The method includes: (a) distributing a layer of particulate material forming a build bed surface; (b) optionally, preheating the layer to a temperature below its melting temperature; (c) measuring a first temperature value with a primary or secondary thermal sensor; (d) depositing absorption modifier over the test region and/or surrounding area; (e) heating the test region; (f) measuring a second temperature value with the primary sensor; (g) distributing another layer of material over the preceding layer; repeating steps (b) to (g), such that the test region of each layer reaches a higher temperature than that of the preceding layer, at least until the test region starts to melt; determining a set point for the primary sensor from a characteristic in the evolution of the measured temperature values; and applying the set point to subsequent measurements of the primary sensor.

A material processing and associated additive manufacturing system and method that utilizes high intensity light to fuse an entire layer of material, at one time, to create a three-dimensional component. The system and method of the present invention allows for each layer to be created in a fraction of the time, thereby reducing the overall time for a three-dimensional component to be created, thereby increasing control over the properties achieved.

A stereolithography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a light source unit, a photo-detector, and a control unit. The light source unit includes a plurality of light-emitting elements that emits light for curing a photo-curing resin. The photo-detector detects the light emitted from the light source unit. The control unit generates an amount-of-light profile indicating an amount-of-light distribution of the light on the basis of the light detected by the photo-detector and controls light emission of the plurality of light-emitting elements on the basis of the amount-of-light profile.

A stereolithography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a light source unit, a photo-detector, and a control unit. The light source unit includes a plurality of light-emitting elements that emits light for curing a photo-curing resin. The photo-detector detects the light emitted from the light source unit. The control unit generates an amount-of-light profile indicating an amount-of-light distribution of the light on the basis of the light detected by the photo-detector and controls light emission of the plurality of light-emitting elements on the basis of the amount-of-light profile.

A method and system for a three dimensional printing system are described herein. In one example, the three dimensional printing system has a moveable carriage, an array of laser modules and a print controller. In this example, the moveable carriage has a print head arranged to selectively deposit a printing agent on to a layer of build material as the moveable carriage is moved relative to the layer of build material. The printing agent controls localized fusing of the build material on application of energy. The print controller is communicatively coupled to the array of laser modules and controls activation of individual laser modules of the array of laser modules so as to apply, selectively, energy to addressable sub-regions of the layer of build material on which printing agent has been deposited to control fusing together with the deposited printing agent.

Described examples a three-dimensional printer includes a vat having a transparent bottom, the vat configured to contain a photo-polymerizing resin and a lift plate movably positioned within the vat. The three-dimensional printer also includes an optical device configured to project a pattern of light through the transparent bottom. The optical device includes a light source configured to provide light at a light source output and a light integrator configured to provide divergent light at a light integrator output responsive to the light at the light source output. The optical device also includes projection optics configured to project projection output light at an optics output through the transparent bottom responsive to a modulated light at the optics input and a spatial light modulator configured to provide the modulated light responsive to the divergent light.

Described examples a three-dimensional printer includes a vat having a transparent bottom, the vat configured to contain a photo-polymerizing resin and a lift plate movably positioned within the vat. The three-dimensional printer also includes an optical device configured to project a pattern of light through the transparent bottom. The optical device includes a light source configured to provide light at a light source output and a light integrator configured to provide divergent light at a light integrator output responsive to the light at the light source output. The optical device also includes projection optics configured to project projection output light at an optics output through the transparent bottom responsive to a modulated light at the optics input and a spatial light modulator configured to provide the modulated light responsive to the divergent light.