US 12,186,979 B2
Method for build separation from a curing interface in an additive manufacturing process
Christopher Prucha, San Francisco, CA (US); and Joel Ong, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to Stratasys, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed by Stratasys, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed on Apr. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/133,453.
Application 18/133,453 is a continuation of application No. 17/404,966, filed on Aug. 17, 2021, granted, now 11,660,807.
Application 17/404,966 is a continuation of application No. 16/941,464, filed on Jul. 28, 2020, granted, now 11,123,919, issued on Sep. 21, 2021.
Application 16/941,464 is a continuation of application No. 16/900,560, filed on Jun. 12, 2020, granted, now 11,123,918, issued on Sep. 21, 2021.
Application 16/900,560 is a continuation of application No. 16/672,410, filed on Nov. 1, 2019, granted, now 10,723,069, issued on Jul. 28, 2020.
Application 16/672,410 is a continuation of application No. 16/672,415, filed on Nov. 1, 2019, granted, now 11,104,075, issued on Aug. 31, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/754,430, filed on Nov. 1, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/754,411, filed on Nov. 1, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0356458 A1, Nov. 9, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B29C 64/124 (2017.01); B29C 64/227 (2017.01); B29C 64/232 (2017.01); B29C 64/245 (2017.01); B29C 64/364 (2017.01); B29C 64/393 (2017.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01); B29C 37/00 (2006.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01)
CPC B29C 64/124 (2017.08) [B29C 64/227 (2017.08); B29C 64/232 (2017.08); B29C 64/245 (2017.08); B29C 64/364 (2017.08); B29C 64/393 (2017.08); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12); B29C 37/0075 (2013.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for additive manufacturing by an additive manufacturing system comprising a build window and a separation membrane, the method comprising:
during a first advancement phase:
advancing a build platform toward the separation membrane, a perimeter of the separation membrane vertically offset above the build window;
evacuating fluid from an interstitial region between the separation membrane and the build window to transition the separation membrane from an inflated position to a laminated position:
a center region of the separation membrane vertically offset above a perimeter of the separation membrane in the inflated position;
the center region of the separation membrane vertically offset below the perimeter of the separation membrane in the laminated position; and
the separation membrane laminating radially outwardly, from the center region, against the build window during transition from the inflated position to the laminated position;
during a first photocuring phase:
photocuring a first volume of a resin, between the separation membrane and the build platform, to form a first layer of a build adhered to the separation membrane;
injecting fluid into the interstitial region to transition the separation membrane from the laminated position to the inflated position, the separation membrane inflating radially inwardly from the perimeter of the build window during transition from the laminated position to the inflated position;
retracting the build platform from the build window to peel the separation membrane from the first layer of the build;
during a second advancement phase succeeding the first advancement phase:
advancing the build platform toward the separation membrane; and
evacuating fluid from the interstitial region to transition the separation membrane from the inflated position to the laminated position; and
during a second photocuring phase:
photocuring a second volume of the resin, between the separation membrane and the first layer of the build, to form a second layer of the build.