MULTI-MATERIAL MEMBRANE FOR VAT POLYMERIZATION PRINTER
A vat polymerization printer may comprise a tank assembly for containing a photo-curing liquid resin. The tank assembly may include a tank sidewall and a tank bottom formed by a membrane assembly. The membrane assembly may comprise a radiation-transparent flexible membrane and a frame affixed to a perimeter of the radiation-transparent flexible membrane. The radiation-transparent flexible membrane may include a radiation-transparent flexible substrate sandwiched between two fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) films or two polyolefin polymer films. More specifically, a first side of the radiation-transparent flexible substrate may be bonded to a first FEP or polyolefin polymer film, and a second side of the radiation-transparent flexible substrate may be bonded to a second FEP or polyolefin polymer film. In one embodiment, the radiation-transparent flexible substrate may be a layer of silicone rubber.
1 . A multi-material membrane for a three-dimensional printing system, the multi-material membrane comprising:
a radiation-transparent flexible substrate with a first and a second side;
a first fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) or polyolefin polymer film bonded to the first side of the radiation-transparent flexible substrate; and
a second FEP or polyolefin polymer film bonded to the second side of the radiation-transparent flexible substrate.
2 . The multi-material membrane of claim 1 , wherein the radiation-transparent flexible substrate comprises silicone.
3 . The multi-material membrane of claim 1 , wherein the radiation-transparent flexible substrate comprises fumed silica.
4 . The multi-material membrane of claim 1 , wherein the first FEP or polyolefin polymer film has a thickness of 0.01-0.1 mm.
5 . The multi-material membrane of claim 1 , wherein the second FEP or polyolefin polymer film has a thickness of 0.01-0.1 mm.
6 . The multi-material membrane of claim 1 , wherein the radiation-transparent flexible substrate has a thickness of 0.01-0.1 mm.
7 . A method for manufacturing a multi-material membrane, the method comprising:
bonding a first fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) or polyolefin polymer film to a first side of a radiation-transparent flexible substrate; and
bonding a second FEP or polyolefin polymer film to a second side of the radiation-transparent flexible substrate.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the radiation-transparent flexible substrate comprises silicone.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the radiation-transparent flexible substrate comprises fumed silica.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the first FEP or polyolefin polymer film has a thickness of 0.01-0.1 mm.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the second FEP or polyolefin polymer film has a thickness of 0.01-0.1 mm.
12 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the radiation-transparent flexible substrate has a thickness of 0.01-0.1 mm.
13 . A membrane assembly for a three-dimensional printing system, the membrane assembly comprising:
a radiation-transparent flexible membrane comprising (i) a radiation-transparent flexible substrate with a first and a second side, (ii) a first fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) or polyolefin polymer film bonded to the first side of the radiation-transparent flexible substrate, and (iii) a second FEP or polyolefin polymer film bonded to the second side of the radiation-transparent flexible substrate; and
a frame affixed to a perimeter of the radiation-transparent flexible membrane and configured to stretch the radiation-transparent flexible membrane along a first plane.
14 . The membrane assembly of claim 13 , wherein the frame includes a first plurality of through holes and a second plurality of magnetized portions distributed about a surface of the frame.
15 . The membrane assembly of claim 13 , wherein the radiation-transparent flexible substrate comprises silicone.
16 . A three-dimensional (3D) printing system, comprising a tank assembly, the multi-material membrane of claim 1 , a lighting assembly, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) secured between the lighting assembly and the multi-material membrane.
17 . The 3D printing system of claim 16 , wherein the radiation-transparent flexible substrate comprises silicone.
18 . The 3D printing system of claim 16 , wherein the multi-material membrane is secured in a frame having a lip that engages with a groove of a sidewall of the tank assembly.