IP Library Granted Patent US 11,167,471
Granted Patent B2
US 11,167,471 · App. 16/030,966 · Granted Nov 9, 2021

Duplex printing of three-dimensional structures with adjustable deformation control

Inventor: Joris Biskop (Vlissingen, NL)
Assignee: LUXEXCEL HOLDING B.V.
B29C64/112B29C64/245B29C64/40B29D11/00009B29D11/00951B33Y10/00B33Y30/00B33Y80/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,167,471
App. No.
16/030,966
Granted
Nov 9, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for printing a three-dimensional structure by depositing droplets of printing ink at least partially side by side and one above the other, including steps of: depositing droplets of printing ink in a first printing step in order to build up an intermediate first pre-structure, depositing droplets of printing ink in a second printing step in order to build up an intermediate second pre-structure on at least one side of the first pre-structure, rotating the first pre-structure and arranging the first pre-structure on a support structure in a rearrangement step between the first and the second printing step, where the support structure includes a carrier substructure and a deformation-control substructure, and where the deformation-control substructure comprises a pressure chamber. The present teachings further relate to a corresponding duplex printed three-dimensional structure and a duplex printer.

Claims (22)

1. A method for printing a three-dimensional structure by depositing droplets of printing ink at least partially side by side and one above an other, comprising the following steps:

depositing droplets of printing ink in a first printing step in order to build up an intermediate first pre-structure, wherein the first pre-structure comprises a main body and an extension, wherein the extension comprises a seating or rim formed on an outer periphery of first layers of the first pre-structure, wherein the main body comprises an intended structure to be printed;

depositing droplets of printing ink in a second printing step in order to build up an intermediate second pre-structure on at least one side of the first pre-structure;

rotating the first pre-structure and arranging the first pre-structure on a support structure in a rearrangement step between the first printing step and the second printing step;

wherein the support structure comprises a carrier substructure and a deformation-control substructure, wherein the deformation-control substructure comprises a pressure chamber;

wherein pressure in the pressure chamber is dynamically adjusted to cancel the forces deforming the first pre-structure and/or the second pre-structure;

wherein the main body closes off the pressure chamber of the deformation-control substructure;

wherein the pressure chamber is sealed off at a contact region of the first pre-structure and the carrier substructure; and

wherein the three-dimensional structure is an optical component.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure chamber is filled with a control medium.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises semi-open elements such that a dynamically adjustable pressure gradient is generated in the pressure chamber.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure in the pressure chamber is adjusted depending on the printing data during the second printing step.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein properties of the first pre-structure and/or the second pre-structure are measured during intermediate measurement steps and the pressure in the pressure chamber is adjusted depending on the measurement results.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the surface properties of at least one surface of the first pre-structure and/or the second pre-structure are determined during the intermediate measurement steps.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the surface properties are determined by optical measurements.

8. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the first pre-structure and/or the second pre-structure comprises reference points, the location of which are measured during the intermediate measurement steps in order to determine properties of the first pre-structure and/or the second pre-structure.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the carrier substructure comprises a fixation means and the first pre-structure is fixed to the carrier substructure by the fixation means.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the fixation means comprises an electromagnetic element and the first pre-structure is fixed to the carrier substructure through electromagnetic forces.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein orientation and/or position of the first pre-structure and/or the second pre-structure are changed through the electromagnetic element of the carrier substructure.

12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the fixation means comprises a vacuum chamber and the first pre-structure is fixed to the carrier substructure through a vacuum in the vacuum chamber.

13. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the first pre-structure is released from the carrier substructure after the second printing step.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second pre-structure is deformed through a targeted temperature change, in particular through heating or cooling.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 7, 2023
From: LUXEXCEL HOLDING B.V.
To: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 062304/0851 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 19, 2019
From: BISKOP, JORIS
To: LUXEXCEL GROUP BV
Reel/Frame 049516/0653 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 19, 2019
From: LUXEXCEL GROUP BV
To: LUXEXCEL HOLDING B.V.
Reel/Frame 049516/0703 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 17180621 · Jul 10, 2017 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190009456A1 · Jan 10, 2019