Hydraulic 3D-printing system and method
The invention is a system and method for printing 3D objects that employs a hydraulic device. The device may include a piston, a platform, multiple chambers, and a channel, wherein the channel and chambers are fluidly connected and configured to hold a desired amount of 3D printing material suitable for 3D-printing objects for a wide range of applications. In an exemplary method, moving the piston transfers 3D printing material from one chamber to another chamber in which a build platform is situated; radiation from a light engine coupled to the chamber that includes the platform exposes the 3D printing material to a curing light on a surface of the platform. In exemplary embodiments, the chambers may be designed just small enough so as to facilitate the printing of a single small 3D-printed object.
1. A method for printing three-dimensional objects, comprising the steps of:
(a) moving a piston inside a chamber of a container assembly, the container assembly adapted to hold one or more printing materials and to print a three-dimensional (3D) object;
(b) transferring at least a portion of the printing material stored at least partially in the chamber to a printing area between a surface of a window and a platform, wherein movement of the piston inside the chamber hydraulically actuates the platform;
(c) emitting a curing light through the window to cure a layer of the printing material to the platform or to a previously cured layer of the printing material already cured onto the platform; and
(d) repeating steps (a)-(c) until the 3D object is formed, wherein moving the piston inside the chamber of the container assembly includes releasing a spring of the container assembly that actuates movement of the piston.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (a) includes:
(a-1) moving the piston in a single direction along an axis of the chamber.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein step (a-1) includes:
(a-2) continuously moving the piston until the three-dimensional object is formed; or
(a-3) pausing and continuing movement of the piston at programmable intervals until the three-dimensional object is formed.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) includes:
(b-1) disposing the portion of the printing material on a glass surface of the window coated with a gel; or
(b-2) disposing the portion of the printing material on a film that at least partially forms the window.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the gel comprises a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer coating an interior surface of the glass.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the film is one of: a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film, a polymethyl pentene (PMP) film, a transparent film, or a fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) film.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
(e) releasing the platform from the container assembly to allow access to the 3D object formed on the platform.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
(f) prior to actuating the piston, breaking or removing a seal of the container assembly.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the chamber is a first chamber and the piston is a first piston;
the container assembly includes a second chamber housing the platform; and
(f) prior to actuating the first piston, breaking or removing a seal of the container assembly that houses the first and second chambers.
10. The method of claim 9 , further compromising:
(g) transferring at least a portion of a second printing material stored in a third chamber to the printing area inside the second chamber, wherein the third chamber is in fluid communication with the second chamber; and
(h) emitting the curing light through the window to cure a layer of the second printing material to the platform or to a previously cured layer of the printing material or second printing material already cured onto the platform.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein step (g) further comprises:
(g-1) transferring the portion of the second printing material from the third chamber into the second chamber through a valve.