CPC B29C 64/236 (2017.08) [B29C 64/124 (2017.08); B29C 64/245 (2017.08); B29C 64/357 (2017.08); B29C 64/386 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/00 (2014.12)] | 20 Claims |
15. An additive manufacturing apparatus comprising:
a foil;
a feed module configured to operably couple with a first end portion of the foil;
a take-up module configured to operably couple with a second end portion of the foil;
at least one stage configured to hold one or more cured layers of a resin that form a component;
a radiant energy device positioned opposite to the at least one stage, the radiant energy device operable to generate and project radiant energy in a predetermined pattern; and
an accumulator positioned downstream of the at least one stage and the radiant energy device and upstream of the take-up module, the accumulator defining a cavity configured to retain at least a section of an intermediate portion of the foil to allow a first portion of the foil upstream of the accumulator to move at a first speed and a second portion of the foil downstream of the accumulator to move at a second speed during a defined time period, wherein a length of the intermediate portion of foil within the cavity is varied based on a difference between the first end portion of the foil and the second end portion of the foil.
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