Illumination techniques in additive fabrication and related systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018319084-A1
Application number	US-201815970247-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 3, 2018
Priority date	May 5, 2017
Publication date	Nov 8, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

Techniques for illuminating an interior of an enclosure in an additive fabrication device are described. According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device includes a build region into which source material may be disposed and at least one source of electromagnetic radiation configured to direct radiation onto the source material in the build region to thereby form a layer of solid material from the source material. A first heater may be included that is configured to heat at least a portion of the source material in the build region. In some embodiments, an enclosure surrounds the build region and comprises a refractive aperture. In some embodiments, at least one light source is arranged to direct light into the enclosure through the refractive aperture.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An additive fabrication device configured to fabricate objects by forming layers of solid material from a source material, the additive fabrication device comprising:
a build region into which source material may be disposed; at least one source of electromagnetic radiation configured to direct radiation onto the source material in the build region to thereby form a layer of solid material from the source material; a first heater configured to heat at least a portion of the source material in the build region; an enclosure surrounding the build region, the enclosure comprising a refractive aperture; and at least one light source arranged to direct light into the enclosure through the refractive aperture.

2 . The additive fabrication device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is arranged within walls of the enclosure.

3 . The additive fabrication device of claim 2 , wherein the at least one light source is arranged at least partially within the refractive aperture.

4 . The additive fabrication device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is arranged exterior to of the enclosure.

5 . The additive fabrication device of claim 1 , wherein the refractive aperture comprises an optical waveguide.

6 . The additive fabrication device of claim 5 , wherein the optical waveguide comprises borosilicate glass.

7 . The additive fabrication device of claim 1 , wherein the refractive aperture comprises a reflective coating.

8 . The additive fabrication device of claim 7 , wherein the refractive aperture comprises a refractive material and wherein the reflective coating is applied as a coating to the refractive material.

9 . The additive fabrication device of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises a plurality of refractive apertures.

10 . The additive fabrication device of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of refractive apertures include refractive apertures within opposing faces of the enclosure.

11 . The additive fabrication device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

12 . The additive fabrication device of claim 1 , wherein the refractive aperture comprises a plurality of optic fibers.

13 . The additive fabrication device of claim 1 , wherein the refractive aperture has a diameter between 2 mm and 20 mm.

Assignees

• Formlabs Inc

Inventors

• Torrealba Eduardo
• Chan Brian

Classifications

• B29C64/364 Primary

  Conditioning of environment · CPC title

• B29C64/218

  Rollers · CPC title

• B29C64/153

  using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting · CPC title

• B33Y30/00

  Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor · CPC title

• B22F12/38

  Housings, e.g. machine housings · CPC title