US20200009790A1 - Sealed type light curing 3d printer - Google Patents
Sealed type light curing 3d printer Download PDFInfo
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- US20200009790A1 US20200009790A1 US16/027,576 US201816027576A US2020009790A1 US 20200009790 A1 US20200009790 A1 US 20200009790A1 US 201816027576 A US201816027576 A US 201816027576A US 2020009790 A1 US2020009790 A1 US 2020009790A1
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- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 152
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 37
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010146 3D printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
- B29C64/10—Processes of additive manufacturing
- B29C64/106—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
- B29C64/124—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
- B29C64/10—Processes of additive manufacturing
- B29C64/106—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
- B29C64/124—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
- B29C64/129—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
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- B29C64/106—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
- B29C64/124—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
- B29C64/129—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask
- B29C64/135—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
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- B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
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- B33Y10/00—Processes of additive manufacturing
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
- B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
- B33Y50/00—Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
- B33Y50/02—Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
Definitions
- the technical field relates to three-dimensional (3D) printing, and more particularly relates to a sealed type light curing 3D printer.
- 3D printers are widely used in recent years due to advancements of technologies, compactness of the 3D printer, and greatly decreased price in which digital light processing (DLP) 3D printers and stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers are popular among the vase consumers due to compactness and quality.
- DLP digital light processing
- SLA stereolithography
- a conventional DLP 3D printer (called 3D printer hereinafter) 1 includes a tank 11 for storing liquid material 2 , a printing platform 12 disposed above a bottom of the tank 11 , and an illumination unit 13 disposed under the tank 11 .
- a microcontroller (not shown) of the 3D printer 1 activates and lowers the printing platform 12 to immerse same in the liquid material 2 until the printing platform 12 is dispose above the bottom of the tank 11 in which a distance between the printing platform 12 and the bottom of the tank 11 is about a thickness of a cured layer.
- the microcontroller activates the illumination unit 13 to emit light toward the liquid material 2 contained in a tank 11 based on the pattern of the cured layer.
- the lit portions of the liquid material 2 cure and create a slicing object 21 having the corresponding pattern on an underside of the printing platform 12 .
- the 3D printer 1 repeatedly performs above steps to create a 3D model by adding a plurality of the created slicing objects 21 together.
- the slicing object 21 is attached to both the underside of the printing platform 12 and the bottom of the tank 11 .
- the microcontroller is required to perform steps to separate the slicing object 21 from the bottom of the tank 11 prior to lifting both the printing platform 12 and the attached slicing object 21 .
- Such separation of the slicing object 21 is required for each created slicing object 21 . Disadvantageously, it greatly increases the total printing time.
- the disclosure is directed to a sealed type light curing 3D printer. Curing of a slicing object of a plurality of cured layers of a 3D object is made possible by separating liquid material from a bottom of a reservoir by gas. After the slicing object has been cured, additional layer separation steps are not performed. The purpose of continuously curing a slicing object of a plurality of cured layers of a 3D object is achieved.
- a sealed type light curing 3D printer comprising a reservoir; a microcontroller; a plunger electrically connected to the microcontroller and configured to create a sealed space between itself and a bottom of the reservoir by disposing in the reservoir; a printing platform electrically connected to the microcontroller and releasably disposed on a bottom of the plunger wherein a bottom of the printing platform is flush with the bottom of the plunger; an illumination unit electrically connected to the microcontroller and disposed under the reservoir; a liquid material tank for storing liquid material and configured to communicate with the reservoir; and a gas tank for storing gas and configured to communicate with the reservoir; wherein the microcontroller lifts both the plunger and the printing platform from the bottom of the reservoir a first distance along Z-axis, thereby drawing the liquid material into the reservoir; wherein the microcontroller further lifts the plunger a second distance along Z-axis, thereby drawing the gas into the reservoir; wherein the gas concentrates on a lower portion of the
- It is another object of the invention to provide a sealed type light curing 3D printer comprising a reservoir; a microcontroller; a plunger electrically connected to the microcontroller and configured to create a sealed space between itself and a top of the reservoir by disposing in the reservoir; a printing platform electrically connected to the microcontroller and releasably disposed on a top of the plunger wherein a top of the printing platform is flush with the top of the plunger; an illumination unit electrically connected to the microcontroller and disposed above the reservoir; a liquid material tank for storing liquid material and configured to communicate with the reservoir; and a gas tank for storing gas and configured to communicate with the reservoir; wherein the microcontroller lowers both the plunger and the printing platform from the top of the reservoir a first distance along Z-axis, thereby drawing the liquid material into the reservoir; wherein the microcontroller further lowers the plunger a second distance along Z-axis, thereby drawing the gas into the reservoir; wherein the gas concentrates on an upper portion of the reservoir
- the invention has the following characteristics: The liquid material and the bottom of the reservoir are separated by the gas.
- the illumination unit emits light toward the liquid material to create a slicing object of one of a plurality of cured layers of a 3D object. After the slicing object has been cured, no additional layer separation steps are performed prior to curing a next slicing object.
- the invention can achieve continuous curing, thereby greatly increasing the printing speed.
- the invention creates a sealed space in the reservoir by lifting or lowering the plunger in the reservoir.
- material subject to oxidation can be chosen as the liquid material.
- smell of the liquid material in the reservoir does not propagate in the air. Thus, users do not need to bear the smell of the liquid material.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevation in part section of a conventional 3D printer
- FIG. 2 is a side elevation in part section of a 3D printer according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the 3D printer of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a printing method according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the printing method using the 3D printer of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 5A is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a first printing process performed by the 3D printer corresponding to the printing method;
- FIG. 5B is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a second printing process performed by the 3D printer corresponding to the printing method;
- FIG. 5C is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a third printing process performed by the 3D printer corresponding to the printing method;
- FIG. 5D is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a fourth printing process performed by the 3D printer corresponding to the printing method;
- FIG. 5E is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a fifth printing process performed by the 3D printer corresponding to the printing method;
- FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing method according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a side elevation in part section of a 3D printer according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8A is a first enlarged view showing contact of the liquid material and the gas
- FIG. 8B is a second enlarged view showing contact of the liquid material and the gas
- FIG. 8C is a third enlarged view showing contact of the liquid material and the gas.
- FIG. 9 is a side elevation in part section of a 3D printer according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention.
- the 3D printer 3 is a sealed type light curing 3D printer (called 3D printer 3 hereinafter). Specifically, the 3D printer 3 is implemented as a digital light processing (DLP) 3D printer or a stereolithography (STL) 3D printer. For the purpose of description, the 3D printer 3 is a DLP 3D printer in FIG. 2 but the invention is not limited to such.
- DLP digital light processing
- STL stereolithography
- the 3D printer 3 comprises a reservoir 31 , a plunger 32 , a printing platform 33 , an illumination unit 34 , a liquid material tank 51 for storing liquid material, and a gas tank 61 for storing gas.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the 3D printer 3 .
- the 3D printer 3 further comprises a microcontroller 30 electrically connected to the plunger 32 , the printing platform 33 and the illumination unit 34 .
- the reservoir 31 has a U-shaped longitudinal section.
- the plunger 32 is slidably disposed in the reservoir 31 .
- a sealed space 4 is formed between the plunger 32 and the reservoir 31 .
- the printing platform 33 is disposed in an underside of the plunger 32 and is flush with the underside of the plunger 32 .
- the plunger 32 has a storage vessel (not shown) with the printing platform 33 disposed therein.
- the microcontroller 30 may activate both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 to move toward the bottom of the reservoir 31 . At the end of the downward movement, both undersides of the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 contact the bottom of the reservoir 31 .
- the microcontroller 30 may communicate the reservoir 31 with the atmosphere while moving both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 , thereby facilitating the movement. It is preferred that a valve (not shown) is provided on the reservoir 31 and opening or closing of the valve can be controlled by the microcontroller 30 .
- the illumination unit 34 is disposed under the reservoir 31 and is adapted to emit light toward inside of the reservoir 31 .
- the microcontroller 30 of the 3D printer 3 activates and moves both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 downward until being stopped by the bottom of the reservoir 31 . As an end, the sealed space 4 does not exist.
- the microcontroller 30 lifts both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 from the bottom of the reservoir 31 a first distance along Z-axis of the 3D printer 3 .
- the liquid material in the liquid material tank 51 is drawn into the reservoir 31 due to pressure of the formed sealed space 4 between both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 and the bottom of the reservoir 31 .
- the microcontroller 30 After the reservoir 31 has been filled with the liquid material, the microcontroller 30 further lifts the plunger 32 a second distance. As a result, the plunger 32 is separated from the printing platform 33 . As a result, the gas in the gas tank 61 is drawn into the reservoir 31 due to pressure of the formed sealed space 4 between the plunger 32 and the bottom of the reservoir 31 .
- Specific gravity of the gas is greater than that of the liquid material.
- the gas concentrates on a lower portion of the reservoir 31 and the liquid material is floated on the top of the gas after the gas and the liquid material have been drawn into the reservoir 31 respectively.
- the microcontroller 30 may control the first distance to adjust the volume of the liquid material drawn into the reservoir 31 and the second distance to adjust the volume of the gas drawn into the reservoir 31 respectively.
- a distance between the bottom of the printing platform 33 and a bottom of the liquid material in the reservoir 31 is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created. This facilitates subsequent printing steps of the 3D printer 3 .
- the 3D printer 3 further comprises a memory unit 38 electrically connected to the microcontroller 30 .
- the memory unit 38 stores a plurality of records of slicing information 381 of a 3D object to be created.
- the microcontroller 30 may activate the illumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of the printing platform 33 based on the records of slicing information 381 , and activate the printing platform 33 to move along Z-axis a distance equal to the thickness of a cured layer. In such a manner, a slicing object of a plurality of cured layers of a 3D object can be continuously cured.
- the liquid material and the bottom of the reservoir 31 are separated by the gas. That is, a location of the slicing object to be cured is not attached to the bottom of the reservoir 31 .
- the microcontroller 30 does not perform additional layer separation steps, i.e., without separating a cured slicing object from the bottom of the reservoir 31 .
- the purpose of continuous printing is achieved and in turn the printing speed is greatly increased.
- a port 310 is provided on the reservoir 31 which communicates with the liquid material tank 51 and the gas tank 61 respectively.
- the port 310 is provided on the bottom of the reservoir 31 , but not limited thereto.
- the 3D printer 3 of the invention further comprises a first valve 35 , a second valve 36 and a conduit 37 which is a Y-shaped conduit in the invention in a non-limiting manner.
- the microcontroller 30 is electrically connected to the first valve 35 and the second valve 36 respectively.
- the liquid material tank 51 communicates with a first end of the conduit 37 via the first valve 35
- the gas tank 61 communicates with a second end of the conduit 37 via the second valve 36
- a third end of the conduit 37 is at the port 310 .
- the microcontroller 30 may open the first valve 35 and close the second valve 36 , and lift both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 . After both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 have lifted, the liquid material in the liquid material tank 51 is drawn into the reservoir 31 due to pressure of the formed sealed space 4 between both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 and the bottom of the reservoir 31 . Also, the gas in the gas tank 61 is prevented from entering the reservoir 31 due to closure of the second valve 36 .
- the microcontroller 30 may close the first valve 35 and open the second valve 36 , and lift the plunger 32 .
- the gas in the gas tank 61 is drawn into the reservoir 31 due to pressure of the formed sealed space 4 between both the plunger 32 and the bottom of the reservoir 31 .
- the liquid material in the liquid material tank 51 is prevented from entering the reservoir 31 due to closure of the first valve 35 .
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a printing method according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the printing method using the 3D printer 3 of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 .
- the printing method uses the SLA 3D printer 3 having the microcontroller 30 , the reservoir 31 , the plunger 32 , the printing platform 33 flush with the plunger 32 , the illumination unit 34 under the reservoir 31 , the liquid material tank 51 for storing liquid material, and the gas tank 61 for storing gas.
- the microcontroller 30 activates both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 to move downward until they contact the bottom of the reservoir 31 (step S 10 ). Also, the sealed space 4 does not exist inside the reservoir 31 . Specifically, the microcontroller 30 may open a valve on the reservoir 31 to communicate with the atmosphere so that both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 may smoothly move to the bottom of the reservoir 31 .
- the microcontroller 30 may lift both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 to draw the liquid material into the reservoir 31 .
- the microcontroller 30 may open the first valve 35 connected to the liquid material tank 51 and close the second valve 36 connected to the gas tank 61 (step S 12 ).
- the microcontroller 30 lifts both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 from the bottom of the reservoir 31 a first distance along Z-axis.
- the liquid material in the liquid material tank 51 is drawn into the reservoir 31 via the port 310 (step S 14 ).
- the microcontroller 30 may lift the plunger 32 to draw the gas into the reservoir 31 .
- the microcontroller 30 may close the first valve 35 connected to the liquid material tank 51 and open the second valve 36 connected to the gas tank 61 (step S 16 ).
- the microcontroller 30 further lifts the plunger 32 a second distance along Z-axis.
- the gas in the gas tank 61 is drawn into the reservoir 31 via the port 310 (step S 18 ).
- the gas concentrates on a lower portion of the reservoir 31 and the liquid material is floated on the top of the gas.
- a distance between the bottom of the printing platform 33 and a bottom of the liquid material in the reservoir 31 is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created.
- the thickness of a cured layer to be created is equal to a thickness of a slicing object of a 3D object to be created by the 3D printer 3 .
- the thickness of a slicing object is known in the art of 3D printing and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity.
- step S 18 after the gas for printing has been drawn into the reservoir 31 , the microcontroller 30 closes the second valve 36 connected to the gas tank 61 (step S 20 ).
- the microcontroller 30 obtains the slicing information of one of the cured layers (e.g., the first layer) of the 3D object to be created.
- the microcontroller 30 instructs the illumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of the printing platform 33 to create a slicing object of one of a plurality of cured layers (e.g., a first layer) of the 3D object based on the slicing information (step S 22 ).
- the microcontroller 30 determines whether the 3D object has been created (step S 24 ), i.e., determining whether the plurality of records of slicing information 381 of the 3D object have been used for creating a corresponding slicing object.
- the printing method of the invention ends. Otherwise (i.e., if the microcontroller 30 determines that the 3D object has not been created), the microcontroller 30 instructs the printing platform 33 to lift a distance equal to a thickness of a cured layer along Z-axis (step S 26 ). Thus, the printing platform 33 is located at an elevation for creating a next cured layer (e.g., a second layer).
- the microcontroller 30 loops back to step S 22 .
- step S 22 as described above, the microcontroller 30 obtains the slicing information of one of the cured layers (e.g., the second layer) of the 3D object.
- the microcontroller 30 instructs the illumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of the printing platform 33 to create a slicing object of a next cured layer based on the slicing information.
- FIGS. 5A to 5E they show first, second, third, fourth and fifth printing processes performed by the 3D printer corresponding to the printing method of the invention respectively.
- the microcontroller 30 activates and moves both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 downward until being stopped by the bottom of the reservoir 31 .
- the microcontroller 30 activates and moves both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 downward until being stopped by the bottom of the reservoir 31 .
- flat undersides of both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 are at the same elevation and contact the bottom of the reservoir 31 .
- both the liquid material tank 51 and the gas tank 61 do not communicate with the reservoir 31 .
- the microcontroller 30 opens the first valve 35 connected to the liquid material tank 51 and closes the second valve 36 connected to the gas tank 61 so that the liquid material tank 51 may communicate with the reservoir 31 via the conduit 37 and the port 310 with the gas tank 61 disconnected from the reservoir 31 .
- the microcontroller 30 lifts both the plunger 32 and the printing platform 33 to draw the liquid material 5 in the liquid material tank 51 into the reservoir 31 .
- the microcontroller 30 closes the first valve 35 connected to the liquid material tank 51 and opens the second valve 36 connected to the gas tank 61 so that the gas tank 61 may communicate with the reservoir 31 via the conduit 37 and the port 310 with the liquid material tank 51 disconnected from the reservoir 31 .
- the microcontroller 30 lifts the plunger 32 to separate it from the printing platform 33 so that the gas 6 in the gas tank 61 can be drawn into the reservoir 31 .
- specific liquid material and gas are chosen in implementing the 3D printer 3 and the printing method using the same according to the invention. Specifically, specific gravity of the gas is greater than that of the liquid material. As shown in FIG. 5C , the drawn gas 6 concentrates on a lower portion of the reservoir 31 with the liquid material 5 floated thereon. As a result, the liquid material 5 is separated from the bottom of the reservoir 31 .
- the microcontroller 30 may close both the first and second valves 35 , 36 to disconnect both the first and second valves 35 , 36 from the reservoir 31 .
- a printing process is performed.
- the microcontroller 30 may activate the illumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of the printing platform 33 based on the obtained record of slicing information 381 so that portions of the liquid material 5 can be cured and a corresponding slicing object 7 can be created. As shown in FIG. 5D , the liquid material 5 is separated from the bottom of the reservoir 31 and the created slicing object 7 is disposed above the bottom of the reservoir 31 . Thus, the microcontroller 30 does not perform additional layer separation steps. As a result, the purpose of continuous printing is achieved by the 3D printer 3 of the invention and in turn the printing speed is greatly increased.
- the microcontroller 30 lifts the printing platform 33 another distance equal to a printing thickness of a cured layer along Z-axis.
- the microcontroller 30 activates the illumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of the printing platform 33 based on the record of slicing information 381 of a next cured layer to be created.
- the slicing object 7 of the next cured layer is created.
- the 3D printer 3 can create a 3D object by adding the slicing objects 7 together by repeatedly performing steps performed in FIG. 5E .
- the purpose of continuous printing is achieved by the 3D printer 3 and the printing method using the same of the invention because no additional layer separation steps are performed.
- the purposes of continuous printing and greatly increasing the printing speed are achieved by the 3D printer 3 of the invention and in turn the printing speed is greatly increased.
- inside of the reservoir 31 of the 3D printer 3 is a sealed condition.
- the liquid material 5 and the gas 6 drawn into the reservoir 31 do not contact air.
- material subject to oxidation can be chosen as the liquid material.
- smell of the liquid material 5 in the reservoir 31 and smell of the gas 6 in the reservoir 31 do not propagate in the air. Thus, users do not need to bear both the smell of the liquid material 5 and the smell of the gas 6 .
- FIG. 6 it is a flowchart illustrating a printing method according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 7 it is a side elevation in part section of the 3D printer 3 according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention.
- the 3D printer 3 of the invention further comprises a third valve 39 and a second liquid material tank 81 for storing second liquid material 8 .
- the second liquid material tank 81 is connected to a fourth end of the conduit 37 via the third valve 39 .
- the fourth end of the conduit 37 communicates with the reservoir 31 via the port 310 .
- the microcontroller 30 opens the third valve 39 and closes both the first and second valves 35 , 36 .
- the microprocessor 30 activates the plunger 32 to lift so that the second liquid material 8 in the second liquid material tank 81 may be drawn into the reservoir 31 .
- the specific gravity of the second liquid material 8 is less than that of the gas 6 but greater than that of the liquid material 5 .
- the second liquid material 8 is located between the liquid material 5 and the gas 6 .
- the microprocessor 30 controls location of the printing platform 33 in the printing process so that a distance between the bottom of the printing platform 33 and the top of the gas 6 is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created.
- the second liquid material 8 is located below the liquid material 5 .
- light emitted by the illumination unit 34 is directed to the second liquid material 8 .
- Portions of the lit second liquid material 8 are cured to form a corresponding slicing object 7 .
- the 3D printer 3 of the invention may create slicing objects 7 of different materials by illuminating the liquid material 5 or the second liquid material 8 .
- the created 3D objects may have different properties, characteristics and/or colors.
- the microprocessor 30 instructs the illumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of the printing platform 33 to create a corresponding slicing object based on the record of slicing information 381 (step S 30 ).
- the microprocessor 30 determines whether the 3D object has been created (step S 32 ). If yes, the flowchart ends successfully.
- the microprocessor 30 obtains a next record of slicing information 381 and further determines whether it is necessary to use the second liquid material 8 based on the next record of slicing information 381 (step S 34 ). That is, the microprocessor 30 determines whether the record of slicing information 381 stores 3D objects having different properties, characteristics and/or colors. If not, the flowchart goes to step S 36 . Similar to step S 26 of FIG. 4 , the microprocessor 30 activates the printing platform 33 to lift a distance equal to a thickness of a cured layer along Z-axis (step S 36 ). The flowchart further loops back to step S 30 to create a slicing object 7 of a next cured layer to be created.
- step S 34 the flowchart goes to step S 38 .
- step S 38 the microprocessor 30 opens the third valve 39 and closes both the first and second valves 35 , 36 .
- step S 40 the microprocessor 30 activates the plunger 32 to lift a third distance along Z-axis so that the second liquid material 8 in the second liquid material tank 81 may be drawn into the reservoir 31 .
- the flowchart loops back to step S 30 .
- the specific gravity of the second liquid material 8 is less than that of the gas 6 but greater than that of the liquid material 5 .
- the second liquid material 8 is located between the liquid material 5 and the gas 6 .
- the microprocessor 30 may adjust the third distance by controlling the volume of the second liquid material 8 drawn into the reservoir 31 so that a distance between the bottom of the printing platform 33 and the bottom of the second liquid material 8 is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created.
- step S 40 the flowchart loops back to step S 30 .
- the microprocessor 30 instructs the illumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of the printing platform 33 to create a slicing object 7 of a cured layer to be created.
- the 3D printer 3 enables the 3D printer 3 to employ different types of liquid material for curing.
- the created 3D objects may have different properties, characteristics and/or colors.
- performance of the 3D printer 3 can be increased greatly.
- FIG. 8A it is a first enlarged view showing contact of the liquid material and the gas; referring to FIG. 8B , it is a second enlarged view showing contact of the liquid material and the gas; and referring to FIG. 8C , it is a third enlarged view showing contact of the liquid material and the gas respectively.
- the gas 6 drawn into the reservoir 31 has surface tension which results in the formation of an arc surface 60 between the liquid material 5 and the gas 6 .
- a bottom surface of the liquid material 5 may be not flat.
- the microprocessor 30 may control the volume of the gas 6 drawn into the reservoir 31 so that a distance between the bottom of the printing platform 33 and the bottom of the liquid material 5 is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created.
- the existence of the arc surface 60 can compromise the creation of the slicing objects 7 of the cured layers of the 3D object.
- a plurality of records of improvement information 382 are stored in the memory unit 38 of the 3D printer 3 (see FIG. 3 ).
- the microcontroller 30 may activate the illumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of the printing platform 33 based on the records of improvement information 382 (specifically, based on the records of slicing information 381 in company with the records of improvement information 382 ).
- the arc surface 60 can be improved by using software.
- the microprocessor 30 can solve above problem by adjusting the number of the cured layers of a 3D object. As shown in FIG. 8A , when the printing platform 33 is located at an elevation flush with top of a thickness of a first cured layer of a 3D object, the microprocessor 30 does not activate the illumination unit 34 because the thickness of the first cured layer is adversely affected by the arc surface 60 . Next as shown in FIG. 8B , the microprocessor 30 activates the printing platform 33 to lift to an elevation flush with top of a thickness of a second cured layer of the 3D object. The microprocessor 30 does not activate the illumination unit 34 because the thickness of the second cured layer is still adversely affected by the arc surface 60 .
- the microprocessor 30 activates the printing platform 33 to lift to an elevation flush with top of a thickness of a third cured layer of the 3D object. At this position, the printing platform 33 clears the arc surface 60 . Thus, the microprocessor 30 activates the illumination unit 34 to emit light based on the record of slicing information 381 of the first cured layer of the 3D object. As a result, a slicing object 7 of the first cured layer is created.
- the microprocessor 30 may improve the arc surface 60 by activating a sensor. For example, when the sensor senses that the printing platform 33 still contacts the gas 6 , the microprocessor 30 activates the printing platform 33 to lift to an elevation flush with top of a thickness of a next cured layer. Further, when the sensor senses that the printing platform 33 clears the gas 6 , a slicing object 7 of the first cured layer of the 3D object begins to create.
- the microprocessor 30 may activate the illumination unit 34 to emit light to create a disposable support based on additional information (not shown). Also, after the printing platform 33 has lifted to clear the arc surface 60 , the microprocessor 30 may activate the illumination unit 34 to emit light based on the record of slicing information 381 of the first cured layer of the 3D object in order to create a slicing object 7 of the first cured layer.
- the 3D printer 3 is a light curing 3D printer having the reservoir 31 of U-shaped longitudinal section and an open top, and the illumination unit 34 is disposed under the reservoir 31 . It is understood that in other embodiments of the invention the 3D printer 3 may be a light curing 3D printer having the reservoir 31 of inverted U-shaped longitudinal section and an open bottom, and the illumination unit 34 is disposed above the reservoir 31 .
- the 3D printer is a sealed type light curing 3D printer (called 3D printer 9 hereinafter).
- the 3D printer 9 comprises a microprocessor 90 , a reservoir 91 , a plunger 92 , a printing platform 93 , an illumination unit 94 , a first valve 95 , a second valve 96 , a conduit 97 , a port 910 , a liquid material tank 51 ′, and a gas tank 61 ′ and these components are similar to or the same as that of the 3D printer 3 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 .
- the 3D printer 9 is only different from the 3D printer 3 by having the reservoir 91 with an inverted U-shaped longitudinal section and an open bottom, and the illumination unit 94 disposed above the reservoir 91 .
- the bottom of the reservoir 91 is open
- the plunger 92 is disposed in the reservoir 91 facing the open bottom, and a sealed space is created in the reservoir 91 .
- the printing platform 93 is disposed on the plunger 92 , and the top of the printing platform 93 is flush with that of the plunger 92 .
- the microprocessor 90 moves both the plunger 92 and the printing platform 93 to contact the top of the reservoir 91 so that there is no space between both the plunger 92 and the printing platform 93 and the top of the reservoir 91 .
- the microprocessor 90 lowers both the plunger 92 and the printing platform 93 a first distance along Z-axis.
- a sealed space is created between both the plunger 92 and the printing platform 93 and the top of the reservoir 91 .
- the pressure of creating the sealed space can draw the liquid material 5 ′ of the liquid material tank 51 into the upper portion of the reservoir 91 .
- the microprocessor 90 lowers the plunger 92 a second distance along Z-axis so that the gas 6 ′ in the gas tank 61 ′ can be drawn into the upper portion of the reservoir 91 .
- the user has to select specific types of the liquid material 5 ′ and the gas 6 ′ in the third embodiment.
- Specific gravity of the liquid material 5 ′ is greater than that of the gas 6 ′.
- the gas 6 ′ concentrates on the upper portion of the reservoir 91 and the liquid material 5 ′ is deposited below the gas 6 ′.
- the microprocessor 90 can control the volume of the sucked gas 6 ′ so that a distance between the top of the printing platform 93 and that of the liquid material 5 ′ is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created.
- the arrangement of the first valve 95 , the second valve 96 , the conduit 97 , the port 910 , the liquid material tank 51 ′, and the gas tank 61 ′ as well as the control of the first and second valves 95 , 96 by the microprocessor 90 are similar to or the same as the reservoir 31 , the first valve 35 , the second valve 36 , the conduit 37 , the port 310 , the liquid material tank 51 and the gas tank 61 discussed in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 4 . But a detailed description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity.
- the 3D printer 9 may have the memory unit 38 , the records of slicing information 381 and the records of improvement information 382 shown in FIG. 3 ; and the third valve 39 and the second liquid material tank 81 shown in FIG. 7 . But a detailed description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity.
- the microprocessor 90 activates the illumination unit 94 to emit light toward top of the printing platform 93 based on the records of slicing information of a 3D object to be created, and lowers the printing platform 93 along Z-axis a distance equal to a thickness of a cured layer.
- a slicing object 7 of a plurality of cured layers of a 3D object can be created by continuously curing.
- a continuous printing can be achieved by utilizing the 3D printer 3 to draw the gas 6 into the reservoir 31 (or utilizing the 3D printer 9 to draw the gas 6 ′ into the reservoir 91 ), thereby greatly increasing the printing speed.
- a user may choose a type of liquid material subject to oxidation or having smell for use since the reservoir 31 of the 3D printer 3 (or the reservoir 91 of the 3D printer 9 ) is in a sealed condition.
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Abstract
Description
- The technical field relates to three-dimensional (3D) printing, and more particularly relates to a sealed type light curing 3D printer.
- 3D printers are widely used in recent years due to advancements of technologies, compactness of the 3D printer, and greatly decreased price in which digital light processing (DLP) 3D printers and stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers are popular among the vase consumers due to compactness and quality.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , aconventional DLP 3D printer (called 3D printer hereinafter) 1 includes atank 11 for storingliquid material 2, aprinting platform 12 disposed above a bottom of thetank 11, and an illumination unit 13 disposed under thetank 11. - In a printing process, a microcontroller (not shown) of the
3D printer 1 activates and lowers theprinting platform 12 to immerse same in theliquid material 2 until theprinting platform 12 is dispose above the bottom of thetank 11 in which a distance between theprinting platform 12 and the bottom of thetank 11 is about a thickness of a cured layer. Next, the microcontroller activates the illumination unit 13 to emit light toward theliquid material 2 contained in atank 11 based on the pattern of the cured layer. The lit portions of theliquid material 2 cure and create aslicing object 21 having the corresponding pattern on an underside of theprinting platform 12. The3D printer 1 repeatedly performs above steps to create a 3D model by adding a plurality of the created slicingobjects 21 together. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , after being cured, theslicing object 21 is attached to both the underside of theprinting platform 12 and the bottom of thetank 11. The microcontroller is required to perform steps to separate theslicing object 21 from the bottom of thetank 11 prior to lifting both theprinting platform 12 and the attachedslicing object 21. Such separation of theslicing object 21 is required for each created slicingobject 21. Disadvantageously, it greatly increases the total printing time. - Further, quality of the
liquid material 2 filled in the tank of the SLA orDLP 3D printer may be degraded due to oxidization. And in turn, it may cause difficulties in printing. Furthermore, some kinds of liquid material having good curing effects may be smelled and thus users dislike using these kinds of liquid material. Thus, the need for improvement still exists. - The disclosure is directed to a sealed type light curing 3D printer. Curing of a slicing object of a plurality of cured layers of a 3D object is made possible by separating liquid material from a bottom of a reservoir by gas. After the slicing object has been cured, additional layer separation steps are not performed. The purpose of continuously curing a slicing object of a plurality of cured layers of a 3D object is achieved.
- It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a sealed type light curing 3D printer comprising a reservoir; a microcontroller; a plunger electrically connected to the microcontroller and configured to create a sealed space between itself and a bottom of the reservoir by disposing in the reservoir; a printing platform electrically connected to the microcontroller and releasably disposed on a bottom of the plunger wherein a bottom of the printing platform is flush with the bottom of the plunger; an illumination unit electrically connected to the microcontroller and disposed under the reservoir; a liquid material tank for storing liquid material and configured to communicate with the reservoir; and a gas tank for storing gas and configured to communicate with the reservoir; wherein the microcontroller lifts both the plunger and the printing platform from the bottom of the reservoir a first distance along Z-axis, thereby drawing the liquid material into the reservoir; wherein the microcontroller further lifts the plunger a second distance along Z-axis, thereby drawing the gas into the reservoir; wherein the gas concentrates on a lower portion of the reservoir and the liquid material is floated on top of the gas; wherein a distance between the bottom of the printing platform and a bottom of the liquid material in the reservoir is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created; and wherein in a printing process, the microcontroller activates the illumination unit to emit light toward the bottom of the printing platform based on a plurality of records of slicing information of a 3D object to be created, and further lifts the printing platform a distance along Z-axis, the distance being equal to the thickness of the cured layer, thereby continuously curing a slicing object of a plurality of the cured layers of the 3D object.
- It is another object of the invention to provide a sealed type light curing 3D printer comprising a reservoir; a microcontroller; a plunger electrically connected to the microcontroller and configured to create a sealed space between itself and a top of the reservoir by disposing in the reservoir; a printing platform electrically connected to the microcontroller and releasably disposed on a top of the plunger wherein a top of the printing platform is flush with the top of the plunger; an illumination unit electrically connected to the microcontroller and disposed above the reservoir; a liquid material tank for storing liquid material and configured to communicate with the reservoir; and a gas tank for storing gas and configured to communicate with the reservoir; wherein the microcontroller lowers both the plunger and the printing platform from the top of the reservoir a first distance along Z-axis, thereby drawing the liquid material into the reservoir; wherein the microcontroller further lowers the plunger a second distance along Z-axis, thereby drawing the gas into the reservoir; wherein the gas concentrates on an upper portion of the reservoir and the liquid material is 3Deposited below the gas; wherein a distance between the top of the printing platform and a top of the liquid material in the reservoir is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created; and wherein in a printing process, the microcontroller activates the illumination unit to emit light toward the top of the printing platform based on a plurality of records of slicing information of a 3D object to be created, and further lowers the printing platform a distance along Z-axis, the distance being equal to the thickness of the cured layer, thereby continuously curing a slicing object of a plurality of the cured layers of the 3D object.
- The invention has the following characteristics: The liquid material and the bottom of the reservoir are separated by the gas. The illumination unit emits light toward the liquid material to create a slicing object of one of a plurality of cured layers of a 3D object. After the slicing object has been cured, no additional layer separation steps are performed prior to curing a next slicing object. In comparison with the conventional art, the invention can achieve continuous curing, thereby greatly increasing the printing speed.
- Further, for separating the liquid material from the bottom of the reservoir the invention creates a sealed space in the reservoir by lifting or lowering the plunger in the reservoir. By utilizing the sealed type light curing 3D printer of the invention, material subject to oxidation can be chosen as the liquid material. Also, smell of the liquid material in the reservoir does not propagate in the air. Thus, users do not need to bear the smell of the liquid material.
- The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a side elevation in part section of a conventional 3D printer; -
FIG. 2 is a side elevation in part section of a 3D printer according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the 3D printer ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a printing method according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the printing method using the 3D printer ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 5A is a view similar toFIG. 2 showing a first printing process performed by the 3D printer corresponding to the printing method; -
FIG. 5B is a view similar toFIG. 2 showing a second printing process performed by the 3D printer corresponding to the printing method; -
FIG. 5C is a view similar toFIG. 2 showing a third printing process performed by the 3D printer corresponding to the printing method; -
FIG. 5D is a view similar toFIG. 2 showing a fourth printing process performed by the 3D printer corresponding to the printing method; -
FIG. 5E is a view similar toFIG. 2 showing a fifth printing process performed by the 3D printer corresponding to the printing method; -
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing method according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 7 is a side elevation in part section of a 3D printer according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 8A is a first enlarged view showing contact of the liquid material and the gas; -
FIG. 8B is a second enlarged view showing contact of the liquid material and the gas; -
FIG. 8C is a third enlarged view showing contact of the liquid material and the gas; and -
FIG. 9 is a side elevation in part section of a 3D printer according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention. - Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- Referring to
FIG. 2 , it is a side elevation in part section of a3D printer 3 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The3D printer 3 is a sealed type light curing 3D printer (called3D printer 3 hereinafter). Specifically, the3D printer 3 is implemented as a digital light processing (DLP) 3D printer or a stereolithography (STL) 3D printer. For the purpose of description, the3D printer 3 is aDLP 3D printer inFIG. 2 but the invention is not limited to such. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , the3D printer 3 comprises areservoir 31, aplunger 32, aprinting platform 33, anillumination unit 34, aliquid material tank 51 for storing liquid material, and agas tank 61 for storing gas. - Referring to
FIG. 3 in conjunction withFIG. 2 in whichFIG. 3 is a block diagram of the3D printer 3. As shown inFIG. 3 , the3D printer 3 further comprises amicrocontroller 30 electrically connected to theplunger 32, theprinting platform 33 and theillumination unit 34. - The
reservoir 31 has a U-shaped longitudinal section. Theplunger 32 is slidably disposed in thereservoir 31. A sealedspace 4 is formed between theplunger 32 and thereservoir 31. Theprinting platform 33 is disposed in an underside of theplunger 32 and is flush with the underside of theplunger 32. Specifically, theplunger 32 has a storage vessel (not shown) with theprinting platform 33 disposed therein. Themicrocontroller 30 may activate both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 to move toward the bottom of thereservoir 31. At the end of the downward movement, both undersides of theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 contact the bottom of thereservoir 31. - It is noted that if the sealed
space 4 exists because theplunger 32 is slidably disposed in thereservoir 31, themicrocontroller 30 may communicate thereservoir 31 with the atmosphere while moving both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33, thereby facilitating the movement. It is preferred that a valve (not shown) is provided on thereservoir 31 and opening or closing of the valve can be controlled by themicrocontroller 30. - The
illumination unit 34 is disposed under thereservoir 31 and is adapted to emit light toward inside of thereservoir 31. - Prior to printing, the
microcontroller 30 of the3D printer 3 activates and moves both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 downward until being stopped by the bottom of thereservoir 31. As an end, the sealedspace 4 does not exist. Next, themicrocontroller 30 lifts both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 from the bottom of the reservoir 31 a first distance along Z-axis of the3D printer 3. The liquid material in theliquid material tank 51 is drawn into thereservoir 31 due to pressure of the formed sealedspace 4 between both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 and the bottom of thereservoir 31. - After the
reservoir 31 has been filled with the liquid material, themicrocontroller 30 further lifts the plunger 32 a second distance. As a result, theplunger 32 is separated from theprinting platform 33. As a result, the gas in thegas tank 61 is drawn into thereservoir 31 due to pressure of the formed sealedspace 4 between theplunger 32 and the bottom of thereservoir 31. - One aspect of the invention is detailed below. Specific gravity of the gas is greater than that of the liquid material. The gas concentrates on a lower portion of the
reservoir 31 and the liquid material is floated on the top of the gas after the gas and the liquid material have been drawn into thereservoir 31 respectively. Also, themicrocontroller 30 may control the first distance to adjust the volume of the liquid material drawn into thereservoir 31 and the second distance to adjust the volume of the gas drawn into thereservoir 31 respectively. After the gas has been drawn into thereservoir 31, a distance between the bottom of theprinting platform 33 and a bottom of the liquid material in thereservoir 31 is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created. This facilitates subsequent printing steps of the3D printer 3. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , the3D printer 3 further comprises amemory unit 38 electrically connected to themicrocontroller 30. Thememory unit 38 stores a plurality of records of slicinginformation 381 of a 3D object to be created. After both the liquid material and the gas have been drawn into thereservoir 31, themicrocontroller 30 may activate theillumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of theprinting platform 33 based on the records of slicinginformation 381, and activate theprinting platform 33 to move along Z-axis a distance equal to the thickness of a cured layer. In such a manner, a slicing object of a plurality of cured layers of a 3D object can be continuously cured. - One technical effect of the invention is detailed below. The liquid material and the bottom of the
reservoir 31 are separated by the gas. That is, a location of the slicing object to be cured is not attached to the bottom of thereservoir 31. After the slicing object has been cured, themicrocontroller 30 does not perform additional layer separation steps, i.e., without separating a cured slicing object from the bottom of thereservoir 31. As a result, the purpose of continuous printing is achieved and in turn the printing speed is greatly increased. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , in the invention aport 310 is provided on thereservoir 31 which communicates with theliquid material tank 51 and thegas tank 61 respectively. InFIG. 2 theport 310 is provided on the bottom of thereservoir 31, but not limited thereto. When themicrocontroller 30 instructs both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 to lift, the liquid material or the gas may flow into thereservoir 31 via theport 310 as controlled. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , the3D printer 3 of the invention further comprises afirst valve 35, asecond valve 36 and aconduit 37 which is a Y-shaped conduit in the invention in a non-limiting manner. As shown inFIG. 3 , themicrocontroller 30 is electrically connected to thefirst valve 35 and thesecond valve 36 respectively. - Specifically, the
liquid material tank 51 communicates with a first end of theconduit 37 via thefirst valve 35, thegas tank 61 communicates with a second end of theconduit 37 via thesecond valve 36, and a third end of theconduit 37 is at theport 310. For drawing the liquid material into thereservoir 31, themicrocontroller 30 may open thefirst valve 35 and close thesecond valve 36, and lift both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33. After both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 have lifted, the liquid material in theliquid material tank 51 is drawn into thereservoir 31 due to pressure of the formed sealedspace 4 between both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 and the bottom of thereservoir 31. Also, the gas in thegas tank 61 is prevented from entering thereservoir 31 due to closure of thesecond valve 36. - Likewise, for drawing the gas into the
reservoir 31, themicrocontroller 30 may close thefirst valve 35 and open thesecond valve 36, and lift theplunger 32. After theplunger 32 has lifted, the gas in thegas tank 61 is drawn into thereservoir 31 due to pressure of the formed sealedspace 4 between both theplunger 32 and the bottom of thereservoir 31. Also, the liquid material in theliquid material tank 51 is prevented from entering thereservoir 31 due to closure of thefirst valve 35. - Referring to
FIG. 4 in conjunction withFIGS. 2 and 3 in whichFIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a printing method according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the printing method using the3D printer 3 ofFIG. 2 orFIG. 3 . Specifically, the printing method uses theSLA 3D printermicrocontroller 30, thereservoir 31, theplunger 32, theprinting platform 33 flush with theplunger 32, theillumination unit 34 under thereservoir 31, theliquid material tank 51 for storing liquid material, and thegas tank 61 for storing gas. - As illustrated in
FIG. 4 , prior to printing by using the3D printer 3, themicrocontroller 30 activates both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 to move downward until they contact the bottom of the reservoir 31 (step S10). Also, the sealedspace 4 does not exist inside thereservoir 31. Specifically, themicrocontroller 30 may open a valve on thereservoir 31 to communicate with the atmosphere so that both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 may smoothly move to the bottom of thereservoir 31. - Next, the
microcontroller 30 may lift both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 to draw the liquid material into thereservoir 31. In detail, themicrocontroller 30 may open thefirst valve 35 connected to theliquid material tank 51 and close thesecond valve 36 connected to the gas tank 61 (step S12). Next, themicrocontroller 30 lifts both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 from the bottom of the reservoir 31 a first distance along Z-axis. The liquid material in theliquid material tank 51 is drawn into thereservoir 31 via the port 310 (step S14). - Next, the
microcontroller 30 may lift theplunger 32 to draw the gas into thereservoir 31. In detail, themicrocontroller 30 may close thefirst valve 35 connected to theliquid material tank 51 and open thesecond valve 36 connected to the gas tank 61 (step S16). Next, themicrocontroller 30 further lifts the plunger 32 a second distance along Z-axis. The gas in thegas tank 61 is drawn into thereservoir 31 via the port 310 (step S18). The gas concentrates on a lower portion of thereservoir 31 and the liquid material is floated on the top of the gas. A distance between the bottom of theprinting platform 33 and a bottom of the liquid material in thereservoir 31 is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created. The thickness of a cured layer to be created is equal to a thickness of a slicing object of a 3D object to be created by the3D printer 3. The thickness of a slicing object is known in the art of 3D printing and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. - Subsequent to step S18, after the gas for printing has been drawn into the
reservoir 31, themicrocontroller 30 closes thesecond valve 36 connected to the gas tank 61 (step S20). - Next, the
microcontroller 30 obtains the slicing information of one of the cured layers (e.g., the first layer) of the 3D object to be created. Next, themicrocontroller 30 instructs theillumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of theprinting platform 33 to create a slicing object of one of a plurality of cured layers (e.g., a first layer) of the 3D object based on the slicing information (step S22). Next, themicrocontroller 30 determines whether the 3D object has been created (step S24), i.e., determining whether the plurality of records of slicinginformation 381 of the 3D object have been used for creating a corresponding slicing object. - If the
microcontroller 30 determines that the 3D object has been created, the printing method of the invention ends. Otherwise (i.e., if themicrocontroller 30 determines that the 3D object has not been created), themicrocontroller 30 instructs theprinting platform 33 to lift a distance equal to a thickness of a cured layer along Z-axis (step S26). Thus, theprinting platform 33 is located at an elevation for creating a next cured layer (e.g., a second layer). Next, themicrocontroller 30 loops back to step S22. In step S22, as described above, themicrocontroller 30 obtains the slicing information of one of the cured layers (e.g., the second layer) of the 3D object. Next, themicrocontroller 30 instructs theillumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of theprinting platform 33 to create a slicing object of a next cured layer based on the slicing information. - Referring to
FIGS. 5A to 5E , they show first, second, third, fourth and fifth printing processes performed by the 3D printer corresponding to the printing method of the invention respectively. - As shown in
FIG. 5A , prior to printing, themicrocontroller 30 activates and moves both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 downward until being stopped by the bottom of thereservoir 31. At this position, flat undersides of both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 are at the same elevation and contact the bottom of thereservoir 31. As shown inFIG. 5A , both theliquid material tank 51 and thegas tank 61 do not communicate with thereservoir 31. - As shown in
FIG. 5B , themicrocontroller 30 opens thefirst valve 35 connected to theliquid material tank 51 and closes thesecond valve 36 connected to thegas tank 61 so that theliquid material tank 51 may communicate with thereservoir 31 via theconduit 37 and theport 310 with thegas tank 61 disconnected from thereservoir 31. Next, themicrocontroller 30 lifts both theplunger 32 and theprinting platform 33 to draw theliquid material 5 in theliquid material tank 51 into thereservoir 31. As shown inFIG. 5C , themicrocontroller 30 closes thefirst valve 35 connected to theliquid material tank 51 and opens thesecond valve 36 connected to thegas tank 61 so that thegas tank 61 may communicate with thereservoir 31 via theconduit 37 and theport 310 with theliquid material tank 51 disconnected from thereservoir 31. Next, themicrocontroller 30 lifts theplunger 32 to separate it from theprinting platform 33 so that thegas 6 in thegas tank 61 can be drawn into thereservoir 31. - As described above, specific liquid material and gas are chosen in implementing the
3D printer 3 and the printing method using the same according to the invention. Specifically, specific gravity of the gas is greater than that of the liquid material. As shown inFIG. 5C , the drawngas 6 concentrates on a lower portion of thereservoir 31 with theliquid material 5 floated thereon. As a result, theliquid material 5 is separated from the bottom of thereservoir 31. - Next, as shown in
FIG. 5D , themicrocontroller 30 may close both the first andsecond valves second valves reservoir 31. Next, a printing process is performed. - Specifically, the
microcontroller 30 may activate theillumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of theprinting platform 33 based on the obtained record of slicinginformation 381 so that portions of theliquid material 5 can be cured and acorresponding slicing object 7 can be created. As shown inFIG. 5D , theliquid material 5 is separated from the bottom of thereservoir 31 and the created slicingobject 7 is disposed above the bottom of thereservoir 31. Thus, themicrocontroller 30 does not perform additional layer separation steps. As a result, the purpose of continuous printing is achieved by the3D printer 3 of the invention and in turn the printing speed is greatly increased. - Next, as shown in
FIG. 5E , after theslicing object 7 of a cured layer has been cured, themicrocontroller 30 lifts theprinting platform 33 another distance equal to a printing thickness of a cured layer along Z-axis. Next, themicrocontroller 30 activates theillumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of theprinting platform 33 based on the record of slicinginformation 381 of a next cured layer to be created. As a result, the slicingobject 7 of the next cured layer is created. The3D printer 3 can create a 3D object by adding the slicing objects 7 together by repeatedly performing steps performed inFIG. 5E . - As described above, the purpose of continuous printing is achieved by the
3D printer 3 and the printing method using the same of the invention because no additional layer separation steps are performed. As a result, the purposes of continuous printing and greatly increasing the printing speed are achieved by the3D printer 3 of the invention and in turn the printing speed is greatly increased. Further, inside of thereservoir 31 of the3D printer 3 is a sealed condition. Thus, theliquid material 5 and thegas 6 drawn into thereservoir 31 do not contact air. Preferably, material subject to oxidation can be chosen as the liquid material. Also, smell of theliquid material 5 in thereservoir 31 and smell of thegas 6 in thereservoir 31 do not propagate in the air. Thus, users do not need to bear both the smell of theliquid material 5 and the smell of thegas 6. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , it is a flowchart illustrating a printing method according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, and referring toFIG. 7 , it is a side elevation in part section of the3D printer 3 according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , the3D printer 3 of the invention further comprises athird valve 39 and a secondliquid material tank 81 for storing secondliquid material 8. The secondliquid material tank 81 is connected to a fourth end of theconduit 37 via thethird valve 39. And in turn, the fourth end of theconduit 37 communicates with thereservoir 31 via theport 310. After determining that the secondliquid material 8 is needed in the printing process, themicrocontroller 30 opens thethird valve 39 and closes both the first andsecond valves microprocessor 30 activates theplunger 32 to lift so that the secondliquid material 8 in the secondliquid material tank 81 may be drawn into thereservoir 31. - In an embodiment, the specific gravity of the second
liquid material 8 is less than that of thegas 6 but greater than that of theliquid material 5. As show inFIG. 7 , after the secondliquid material 8 has been drawn into thereservoir 31, the secondliquid material 8 is located between theliquid material 5 and thegas 6. Themicroprocessor 30 controls location of theprinting platform 33 in the printing process so that a distance between the bottom of theprinting platform 33 and the top of thegas 6 is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created. The secondliquid material 8 is located below theliquid material 5. Thus, light emitted by theillumination unit 34 is directed to the secondliquid material 8. Portions of the lit secondliquid material 8 are cured to form acorresponding slicing object 7. - By utilizing above technical solution, the
3D printer 3 of the invention may create slicingobjects 7 of different materials by illuminating theliquid material 5 or the secondliquid material 8. As a result, the created 3D objects may have different properties, characteristics and/or colors. - As illustrated in
FIG. 6 , after both theliquid material 5 and thegas 6 have drawn into thereservoir 3, similar to step S22 ofFIG. 4 , themicroprocessor 30 instructs theillumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of theprinting platform 33 to create a corresponding slicing object based on the record of slicing information 381 (step S30). Next, themicroprocessor 30 determines whether the 3D object has been created (step S32). If yes, the flowchart ends successfully. - If not (i.e., the
microprocessor 30 determining that the 3D object has not been created), themicroprocessor 30 obtains a next record of slicinginformation 381 and further determines whether it is necessary to use the secondliquid material 8 based on the next record of slicing information 381 (step S34). That is, themicroprocessor 30 determines whether the record of slicinginformation 381stores 3D objects having different properties, characteristics and/or colors. If not, the flowchart goes to step S36. Similar to step S26 ofFIG. 4 , themicroprocessor 30 activates theprinting platform 33 to lift a distance equal to a thickness of a cured layer along Z-axis (step S36). The flowchart further loops back to step S30 to create aslicing object 7 of a next cured layer to be created. - If the determination in step S34 is yes, the flowchart goes to step S38. In step S38, the
microprocessor 30 opens thethird valve 39 and closes both the first andsecond valves microprocessor 30 activates theplunger 32 to lift a third distance along Z-axis so that the secondliquid material 8 in the secondliquid material tank 81 may be drawn into thereservoir 31. The flowchart loops back to step S30. - As described above, the specific gravity of the second
liquid material 8 is less than that of thegas 6 but greater than that of theliquid material 5. After the secondliquid material 8 has been drawn into thereservoir 31, the secondliquid material 8 is located between theliquid material 5 and thegas 6. Themicroprocessor 30 may adjust the third distance by controlling the volume of the secondliquid material 8 drawn into thereservoir 31 so that a distance between the bottom of theprinting platform 33 and the bottom of the secondliquid material 8 is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created. After step S40, the flowchart loops back to step S30. In step S30, themicroprocessor 30 instructs theillumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of theprinting platform 33 to create aslicing object 7 of a cured layer to be created. - Above technical solution enables the
3D printer 3 to employ different types of liquid material for curing. Thus, the created 3D objects may have different properties, characteristics and/or colors. As a result, performance of the3D printer 3 can be increased greatly. - Referring to
FIG. 8A , it is a first enlarged view showing contact of the liquid material and the gas; referring toFIG. 8B , it is a second enlarged view showing contact of the liquid material and the gas; and referring toFIG. 8C , it is a third enlarged view showing contact of the liquid material and the gas respectively. - The
gas 6 drawn into thereservoir 31 has surface tension which results in the formation of anarc surface 60 between theliquid material 5 and thegas 6. In other words, a bottom surface of theliquid material 5 may be not flat. As discussed above, in step S18 ofFIG. 4 , themicroprocessor 30 may control the volume of thegas 6 drawn into thereservoir 31 so that a distance between the bottom of theprinting platform 33 and the bottom of theliquid material 5 is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created. However, the existence of thearc surface 60 can compromise the creation of the slicing objects 7 of the cured layers of the 3D object. - In the embodiment, a plurality of records of
improvement information 382 are stored in thememory unit 38 of the 3D printer 3 (seeFIG. 3 ). In the printing process (e.g., steps S22 and S26 ofFIG. 4 ), themicrocontroller 30 may activate theillumination unit 34 to emit light toward the bottom of theprinting platform 33 based on the records of improvement information 382 (specifically, based on the records of slicinginformation 381 in company with the records of improvement information 382). As a result, thearc surface 60 can be improved by using software. - In an embodiment, the
microprocessor 30 can solve above problem by adjusting the number of the cured layers of a 3D object. As shown inFIG. 8A , when theprinting platform 33 is located at an elevation flush with top of a thickness of a first cured layer of a 3D object, themicroprocessor 30 does not activate theillumination unit 34 because the thickness of the first cured layer is adversely affected by thearc surface 60. Next as shown inFIG. 8B , themicroprocessor 30 activates theprinting platform 33 to lift to an elevation flush with top of a thickness of a second cured layer of the 3D object. Themicroprocessor 30 does not activate theillumination unit 34 because the thickness of the second cured layer is still adversely affected by thearc surface 60. - Next, as shown in
FIG. 8C , themicroprocessor 30 activates theprinting platform 33 to lift to an elevation flush with top of a thickness of a third cured layer of the 3D object. At this position, theprinting platform 33 clears thearc surface 60. Thus, themicroprocessor 30 activates theillumination unit 34 to emit light based on the record of slicinginformation 381 of the first cured layer of the 3D object. As a result, a slicingobject 7 of the first cured layer is created. - In another embodiment, the
microprocessor 30 may improve thearc surface 60 by activating a sensor. For example, when the sensor senses that theprinting platform 33 still contacts thegas 6, themicroprocessor 30 activates theprinting platform 33 to lift to an elevation flush with top of a thickness of a next cured layer. Further, when the sensor senses that theprinting platform 33 clears thegas 6, a slicingobject 7 of the first cured layer of the 3D object begins to create. - In another embodiment, when the
printing platform 33 still contacts thearc surface 60, themicroprocessor 30 may activate theillumination unit 34 to emit light to create a disposable support based on additional information (not shown). Also, after theprinting platform 33 has lifted to clear thearc surface 60, themicroprocessor 30 may activate theillumination unit 34 to emit light based on the record of slicinginformation 381 of the first cured layer of the 3D object in order to create aslicing object 7 of the first cured layer. - While above description is directed to the embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to such.
- In any of above embodiments, the
3D printer 3 is alight curing 3D printer having thereservoir 31 of U-shaped longitudinal section and an open top, and theillumination unit 34 is disposed under thereservoir 31. It is understood that in other embodiments of the invention the3D printer 3 may be alight curing 3D printer having thereservoir 31 of inverted U-shaped longitudinal section and an open bottom, and theillumination unit 34 is disposed above thereservoir 31. - Referring to
FIG. 9 , it is a side elevation in part section of a 3D printer according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention. InFIG. 9 , the 3D printer is a sealed type light curing 3D printer (called3D printer 9 hereinafter). The3D printer 9 comprises amicroprocessor 90, areservoir 91, aplunger 92, aprinting platform 93, anillumination unit 94, afirst valve 95, asecond valve 96, aconduit 97, aport 910, aliquid material tank 51′, and agas tank 61′ and these components are similar to or the same as that of the3D printer 3 shown inFIG. 2 andFIG. 3 . The3D printer 9 is only different from the3D printer 3 by having thereservoir 91 with an inverted U-shaped longitudinal section and an open bottom, and theillumination unit 94 disposed above thereservoir 91. - Specifically, the bottom of the
reservoir 91 is open, theplunger 92 is disposed in thereservoir 91 facing the open bottom, and a sealed space is created in thereservoir 91. Also, theprinting platform 93 is disposed on theplunger 92, and the top of theprinting platform 93 is flush with that of theplunger 92. - Prior to printing, the
microprocessor 90 moves both theplunger 92 and theprinting platform 93 to contact the top of thereservoir 91 so that there is no space between both theplunger 92 and theprinting platform 93 and the top of thereservoir 91. Next, themicroprocessor 90 lowers both theplunger 92 and the printing platform 93 a first distance along Z-axis. Thus, a sealed space is created between both theplunger 92 and theprinting platform 93 and the top of thereservoir 91. The pressure of creating the sealed space can draw theliquid material 5′ of theliquid material tank 51 into the upper portion of thereservoir 91. Next, themicroprocessor 90 lowers the plunger 92 a second distance along Z-axis so that thegas 6′ in thegas tank 61′ can be drawn into the upper portion of thereservoir 91. - It is noted that the user has to select specific types of the
liquid material 5′ and thegas 6′ in the third embodiment. Specific gravity of theliquid material 5′ is greater than that of thegas 6′. Thus, they are different from that described in the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 to 4 . After theliquid material 5′ and thegas 61 have been drawn into thereservoir 91 by themicroprocessor 90, thegas 6′ concentrates on the upper portion of thereservoir 91 and theliquid material 5′ is deposited below thegas 6′. - Likewise, the
microprocessor 90 can control the volume of the suckedgas 6′ so that a distance between the top of theprinting platform 93 and that of theliquid material 5′ is equal to a thickness of a cured layer to be created. - In the embodiment, the arrangement of the
first valve 95, thesecond valve 96, theconduit 97, theport 910, theliquid material tank 51′, and thegas tank 61′ as well as the control of the first andsecond valves microprocessor 90 are similar to or the same as thereservoir 31, thefirst valve 35, thesecond valve 36, theconduit 37, theport 310, theliquid material tank 51 and thegas tank 61 discussed in the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 to 4 . But a detailed description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. In another embodiment, the3D printer 9 may have thememory unit 38, the records of slicinginformation 381 and the records ofimprovement information 382 shown inFIG. 3 ; and thethird valve 39 and the secondliquid material tank 81 shown inFIG. 7 . But a detailed description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. - After both the
liquid material 5′ and thegas 6′ have been drawn into thereservoir 91, themicroprocessor 90 activates theillumination unit 94 to emit light toward top of theprinting platform 93 based on the records of slicing information of a 3D object to be created, and lowers theprinting platform 93 along Z-axis a distance equal to a thickness of a cured layer. In such a manner, a slicingobject 7 of a plurality of cured layers of a 3D object can be created by continuously curing. - It is envisaged by the invention that a continuous printing can be achieved by utilizing the
3D printer 3 to draw thegas 6 into the reservoir 31 (or utilizing the3D printer 9 to draw thegas 6′ into the reservoir 91), thereby greatly increasing the printing speed. Also, a user may choose a type of liquid material subject to oxidation or having smell for use since thereservoir 31 of the 3D printer 3 (or thereservoir 91 of the 3D printer 9) is in a sealed condition. - While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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CN111688182A (en) * | 2020-05-14 | 2020-09-22 | 清华大学 | Photocuring 3D printing equipment and printing method suitable for space environment |
DE102020105524A1 (en) | 2020-03-02 | 2021-09-02 | Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts | Additive manufacturing facility and method for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional product |
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CN112622261B (en) * | 2020-11-06 | 2021-11-19 | 西安交通大学 | Breakpoint continuous printing method of surface exposure 3D printing equipment |
CN113352600B (en) * | 2021-04-04 | 2023-03-28 | 宁波大学 | Electric jet printing device and method for heating and fixing hot air flow |
CN113927898A (en) * | 2021-11-18 | 2022-01-14 | 深圳永昌和科技有限公司 | Sinking type LCD high-speed continuous 3D printer and printing method |
CN116175964A (en) * | 2022-12-15 | 2023-05-30 | 武汉大学 | Solid-liquid multi-material integrated 3D printing method and device |
CN118181758B (en) * | 2024-03-27 | 2024-08-09 | 南京工业大学 | Photocuring 3D printer |
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US6213168B1 (en) * | 1997-03-31 | 2001-04-10 | Therics, Inc. | Apparatus and method for dispensing of powders |
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JP2015182252A (en) * | 2014-03-20 | 2015-10-22 | 日本電子株式会社 | Three-dimensional laminate molding apparatus |
US20170239885A1 (en) * | 2015-11-13 | 2017-08-24 | Paxis Llc | Additive Manufacturing Apparatus, System, and Method |
GB201600629D0 (en) * | 2016-01-13 | 2016-02-24 | Renishaw Plc | Powder bed fusion apparatus and methods |
EP3263316B1 (en) * | 2016-06-29 | 2019-02-13 | VELO3D, Inc. | Three-dimensional printing and three-dimensional printers |
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WO2021175567A1 (en) * | 2020-03-02 | 2021-09-10 | Otto-Von-Guericke-Universität Magdburg | Additive manufacturing apparatus and method for the additive manufacture of a three-dimensional product |
CN111688182A (en) * | 2020-05-14 | 2020-09-22 | 清华大学 | Photocuring 3D printing equipment and printing method suitable for space environment |
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