Projected UV-resin curing for self-supported 3D printing

This research introduces a new additive manufacturing process for support-free printing. This process uses an array of ultra-violet laser diodes to cure the jetted photopolymer at the laser intersection for rapid solidification. A prototype system using 405 nm laser is designed and built, and a process model is modified from conventional vat photopolymerization to find a proper range of printing speed. Using a speed of 1 mm/s for a flow rate about 0.5 mm3/s, a 60-degree overhanging structure can be repeatedly printed with commercial photopolymers. The study also discusses the challenges associated with fluid behaviors in such a dynamic condition.