Seok-Hee Lee

Reducing Separation Force for Projection Stereolithography based on Constrained Surface Technique

Projection-based stereolithography is divided into constrained-surface and free-surface type according to controlling liquid layer. The constrained-surface type has a uniform layer thickness due to the use of a projection window, which covers the pattern generator such as liquid crystal display. However, the adhered resin on the projection window causes trouble and requires great separation force when the cured layer is separated from the window. To minimize the separation force, we developed a system to measure the separation force. The influence of material covering the pattern generator and the resin temperature is investigated in the system. Several structures according to the resin temperature and the velocity of z-axis elevation are compared. As a result, the fabrication condition to minimize the separation force reduces the process time.

Development of High-Performance, Low-Cost 3D Printer Using LCD and UV-LED

3D Printing has a great advantage for its capabilities in manufacturing complicated structures in a reasonable manufacturing time, and thus is widely used in various fields. Due to the high cost of the equipment and material, a fairly acceptable equipment, the Projection Stereolithography Apparatus (PSLA), has been developed, using the projection pattern approach for the purpose of quick manufacturing. We evaluated its surface quality, as compared with that of other systems. The result is the development of a high-performance, low-cost 3D Printer and its operating software, using LCD and UV LED. Working materials for an optimal manufacturing are suggested in the research, along with some suggestions of basic approaches for enhancing the accuracy and quality of the manufactured structures.

Curing Characteristics for Projection Stereolithography based on LCD and Visible LED

Stereolithography can be classified into two main categories according to the cross-sectional shape: scanning type and projection type. Projection stereolithography has significant advantages when making a layer using a single patterned beam, and results in improved speed and accuracy. To implement relatively low-cost projection stereolithography, we developed a system using a commercially available resin, which cures on exposure to visible light. The optimum photoinitiator was investigated, as well as the mixing ratio. The viscosity, shrinkage, curing depth and tensile strength were evaluated through several experiments on fabricated three-dimensional structures, and thus an optimal resin selection system was developed.