APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE SEPARATION OF A FOIL FROM A MATERIAL LAYER

摘要

An apparatus and method for additive fabrication which helps to prevent the newly hardened layer from being separated from the previously formed layer of the object while the foil is peeled from the newly hardened layer is provided. In one embodiment, use of a peel angle helps prevent the newly hardened layer from being separated from the previously formed layer during peeling by distributing the peeling force so that less of the z-direction component of the peeling force is applied to the newly hardened layer. In another embodiment, the object can be oriented to initiate the peel at an area, of the object which results in a lesser initial peeling force applied to the newly hardened layer.

主权项

1. An additive fabrication apparatus comprising:
(1) a plate for holding an object; a foil; (2) an applicator arranged for applying a layer of build material to the foil; (3) a source of radiation capable of delivering radiation to a build area, whereby radiation delivered to the layer of build material positioned in the build area forms a newly hardened layer of the object; and (4) a separator arranged to separate the foil and the newly hardened layer comprising a foil orientation adjustment device arranged to adjust the orientation between the foil and the plate; wherein the foil orientation adjustment device is engaged such that the foil is positioned substantially parallel to the plate at a first position in the build area and positioned at an out-of-plane orientation from the plate at a second position in the build area.