There are proposed a 3D printer optical engine and printing system capable of forming a single light engine by integrating light sources. A light engine installed under a tank accommodating a photocurable resin and configured to provide a light source for the molding of an output product to the tank includes: a light engine case detachably mounted under the tank, and having an accommodation space therein; a backlight module detachably installed in the lower portion of the accommodation space of the light engine case, and configured to provide backlight; and an image switching module detachably installed in the upper portion of the accommodation space of the light engine case while being spaced apart from the backlight module, and configured to cure the photocurable resin by radiating a light source corresponding to a tomographic image of the output product onto the tank.

There are proposed a 3D printer optical engine and printing system capable of forming a single light engine by integrating light sources. A light engine installed under a tank accommodating a photocurable resin and configured to provide a light source for the molding of an output product to the tank includes: a light engine case detachably mounted under the tank, and having an accommodation space therein; a backlight module detachably installed in the lower portion of the accommodation space of the light engine case, and configured to provide backlight; and an image switching module detachably installed in the upper portion of the accommodation space of the light engine case while being spaced apart from the backlight module, and configured to cure the photocurable resin by radiating a light source corresponding to a tomographic image of the output product onto the tank.

An example apparatus to produce a three-dimensional object comprises a controller, a build area configured to receive a layer of particulate material, a printhead, and an ultraviolet light emitting diode energy source. The controller is to cause the printhead to deposit a liquid which absorbs ultraviolet radiation onto the layer of particulate material. The controller is further to cause the ultraviolet light emitting diode energy source to irradiate the liquid, after the liquid has been deposited onto the layer of particulate material, thereby to heat the liquid and cause a portion of the particulate material to solidify.

An example apparatus to produce a three-dimensional object comprises a controller, a build area configured to receive a layer of particulate material, a printhead, and an ultraviolet light emitting diode energy source. The controller is to cause the printhead to deposit a liquid which absorbs ultraviolet radiation onto the layer of particulate material. The controller is further to cause the ultraviolet light emitting diode energy source to irradiate the liquid, after the liquid has been deposited onto the layer of particulate material, thereby to heat the liquid and cause a portion of the particulate material to solidify.

Provided herein is a system for producing a product. The system generally comprises a large-area micro-stereolithography system, an optical imaging system, and a controller in communication with the large-area micro-stereolithography system and the optical imaging system. The large-area micro-stereolithography system is capable of generating the product by optically polymerizing successive layers of a curable resin at a build plane. The controller is capable of analyzing a focus level of the reference target based on the captured image; and based on the analyzing, adjusting a focus property of the projected image beam of the stereolithography system.

Provided herein is a system for producing a product. The system generally comprises a large-area micro-stereolithography system, an optical imaging system, and a controller in communication with the large-area micro-stereolithography system and the optical imaging system. The large-area micro-stereolithography system is capable of generating the product by optically polymerizing successive layers of a curable resin at a build plane. The controller is capable of directing the optical imaging system to obtain one or more optical images of the product or of a reference component located at the build plane, and adjusting a parameter associated with the large-area micro-stereolithography system based on the one or more images.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for printing a three-dimensional (3D) object. The methods may comprise providing, adjacent to a build surface, a film comprising a polymeric precursor. A sensor may be used to determine a profile of the film. The profile may be indicative of a quality of the film. If the profile meets a quality threshold, at least a portion of the film may be exposed to light to initiate formation of a polymeric material from the polymeric precursor, thereby printing at least a portion of the 3D object.

A method for determining a set point for a thermal sensor. The method includes (a) distributing a layer of particulate material to provide a build bed surface; (b) depositing an amount of absorption modifier over a test region or a surrounding area; (c) heating the test region; (d) measuring a temperature value within the test region with the sensor; (e) distributing a new layer of material over the preceding layer; repeating (b) to (e) until the material of the test region starts to melt, wherein repeated step (b) deposits additional absorption modifier over the test region to absorb more energy from the heat source than the preceding layer; determining a set point for the thermal sensor from a characteristic in the evolution of the measured temperature value within the test region; and applying the set point to subsequent measurements of the thermal sensor.

A method for determining a set point for a thermal sensor. The method includes (a) distributing a layer of particulate material to provide a build bed surface; (b) depositing an amount of absorption modifier over a test region or a surrounding area; (c) heating the test region; (d) measuring a temperature value within the test region with the sensor; (e) distributing a new layer of material over the preceding layer; repeating (b) to (e) until the material of the test region starts to melt, wherein repeated step (b) deposits additional absorption modifier over the test region to absorb more energy from the heat source than the preceding layer; determining a set point for the thermal sensor from a characteristic in the evolution of the measured temperature value within the test region; and applying the set point to subsequent measurements of the thermal sensor.

Devices, systems, and/or methodologies are provided for three dimensional printing, for example, additive manufacturing, wherein an array of energy patterning (e.g., light patterning) modules are used in conjunction with an automated positional control system to coordinate implementation of patterning modules of the array. Implementation of the array can be controlled by a sensory feed-back.