Method and apparatus for three-dimensional fabrication

1. An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional object from a polymerizable liquid, comprising:

(a) a support;

(b) a carrier operatively associated with said support on which carrier said three-dimensional object is formed;

(c) a stationary rigid build plate connected to said support, said build plate comprising a fixed semipermeable member, said semipermeable member comprising a build surface and a feed surface separate from said build surface, with said build surface and said carrier defining a build region therebetween;

(d) a polymerization inhibitor source in fluid communication with said feed surface;

(e) a liquid polymer supply operatively associated with said build plate and configured to supply liquid polymer into said build region for solidification polymerization;

(f) a radiation source operatively associated with said build plate and configured to irradiate said build region through said build plate and form a solid polymerized region therein from said liquid polymer; and

(g) a controller operatively associated with said carrier and said light source for advancing said carrier and said build plate away from one another solely in the X and Y (horizontal) directions during or after polymerization of liquid in said build zone.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

said semipermeable member comprises a top surface portion, a bottom surface portion, and an edge surface portion;

said build surface is on said top surface portion; and

said feed surface is on at least one of said top surface portion, said bottom surface portion, and said edge surface portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure source operatively associated with said liquid polymer supply.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said radiation source comprises a light source.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a pattern forming element operatively associated with said radiation source and said controller.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said carrier comprises a plate, post, web, film, reel, or combination thereof operatively associated with at least one actuator.

7. A build plate useful in an apparatus for forming a three-dimensional object from a polymerizable liquid, said build plate comprising:

(a) a fluoropolymer semipermeable member, said semipermeable member comprising a build surface and a feed surface separate from said build surface; and

(b) a transparent lower supporting member to which said fluoropolymer semipermeable member is fixed.

8. The build plate of claim 7 , wherein said build surface is convexly or concavely curved.

9. The build plate of claim 7 , wherein said supporting member comprises porous or microporous glass.