by Xeones » Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:33 am
Yeah, this is essentially a progression of more established stereolithography printing. The resolution would be determined by the UV laser focal point and the ability of the printer to redirect the laser to an adjacent point. I don't think there's anything there that's different from .
From what I'm understanding, the real difference is in the gas-permeable lens and the control of oxygen that allows the model to be constructed within the pool of UV-reactive resin. My understanding is most existing SL printers print "from the top" ei on the surface of the liquid resin pool with the platform or base for the part being printed moving further into the liquid pool as the process progresses.
EDIT: Upon further study, it appears this isn't always the case, but most use open air to finish the curing process. So with the Carbon 3D rig, it looks like do the entire curing process within the tank.
It's not entirely clear to me the specific advantage of being able to shoot the laser into the middle of the pool of resin to create the object, but it must have something to do with the UV/oxygen interplay.
The speed and resolution/lack of striations may just be a more straightforward improvement on optics and the mechanical components that direct the laser, allowing for both extremely high resolution, but also increased speed --or maybe it also has something to do with the UV/oxygen thing?
As I say, it's quite interesting, but I really wish I could find someone online that would explain things in enough detail to satisfy my questions!