Stereolithography system for accurately establishing a shaping plane

Abstract

The three-dimensional printing system (3D) includes a container, a coating subsystem, a calibration block, and a controller. The container is configured to contain a photocurable resin having a resin top surface. The coating subsystem includes a coater module including a coater blade, a lateral movement mechanism coupled to the coater module, a sensor attached to the coater module, and a vertical actuator system. The calibration block has a calibration front surface. The controller is configured to operate the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade on the calibration block, operate the vertical actuator system to lower the coater blade into engagement with the calibration front surface of the calibration block, operate the sensor to measure a distance to the calibration block, and store the distance as an indication of a vertical position of a bottom end of the coater blade.

Description

Cross - reference to related applications

[0001] This non - provisional patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 246,536, filed on September 21, 2021, by Eric M. Innes, titled "Stereolithography System for Accurately Establishing Build Plane", which is incorporated herein by reference under 35 U.S.C. 119(e).

Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for digital fabrication of three - dimensional (3D) articles by selective radiation curing of layers of a photocurable shaping material. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an automated method of forming a build plane by calibrating the height and alignment of a coater blade relative to the upper surface of a shaping material.

Background Art

[0003] 3D printing systems are widely used for prototyping and manufacturing of articles. One type of 3D printing system utilizes a process called stereolithography. A typical stereolithography system utilizes a resin container, an imaging system, and a build plate within a liquid photocurable resin held by the resin container. Articles are manufactured layer by layer by selectively imaging and radiation - curing a layer of photocurable resin on the build plate.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One problem is to form a liquid layer of photocurable resin with accurate and reproducible vertical dimensions without difficult manual alignment procedures.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a three-dimensional (3D) printing system includes a container, a coating subsystem, a calibration block, and a controller. The container is configured to contain a photocurable resin having a resin upper surface. The coating subsystem includes a coater module including a coater blade, a lateral movement mechanism coupled to the coater module, a sensor attached to the coater module, and a vertical actuator system. The calibration block has a calibration surface. The controller is configured to operate the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade on the calibration block, operate the vertical actuator system to lower the coater blade to engage with the calibration surface of the calibration block, operate the sensor to measure the distance to the calibration block, and store the distance as indicative of the vertical position of the lower end of the coater blade.

[0006] In one implementation, the 3D printing system includes a pair of linear bearings individually extending along the Y-axis. The coater module extends along the X-axis orthogonal to the Y-axis. The coater module includes two ends at opposite ends of the coater module with respect to the X-axis. The two ends individually engage with the linear bearings to support and guide the coater module along the Y-axis. The lateral movement mechanism includes an electric belt system including two belts individually attached to the two ends. The vertical actuator system includes a plurality of actuators configured to vertically position the pair of linear bearings and control the vertical position of the coater blade conveyed along the Y-axis. The vertical actuator system includes four vertical actuators including a rear vertical actuator and a front vertical actuator spaced apart from the Y-axis for each of the linear bearings. The sensor includes two sensors individually disposed at one of the two ends of the coater module. The calibration block includes two calibration blocks individually corresponding to one of the two sensors.

[0007] In another implementation, the controller operates the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade above the resin upper surface, operates the sensor to obtain the sensed position of the resin upper surface, and further operates the vertical actuator system to position the coater blade in the vertical direction based on the comparison of the vertical position of the lower end of the coater blade with respect to the sensed position of the resin upper surface.

[0008] In yet another implementation, the 3D printing system includes a vertical movement mechanism connected to the shaping platform and the imaging module. The controller operates the vertical movement mechanism to position the shaping platform or the upper surface of the 3D article on the shaping plane, operates the vertical actuator system to position the lower end of the coater blade on the shaping plane, operates the lateral movement mechanism to translate the lower end of the coater blade across the upper surface, forms a new layer of photocurable resin on the upper surface, operates the imaging module to selectively cure the new layer of photocurable resin, and repeats the operations of the elevator mechanism, the vertical movement mechanism, the lateral movement mechanism, and the imaging module to complete the fabrication of the 3D article in a layer-by-layer manner.

[0009] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a three-dimensional (3D) printing system includes a container, a coating subsystem, a calibration block, and a controller. The container is configured to contain a photocurable resin having a resin upper surface. The coating subsystem includes a coater module including a coater blade, a lateral movement mechanism coupled to the coater module, a sensor attached to the coater module, and a vertical actuator system. The calibration block has a calibration surface. The controller is configured to operate the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade on the calibration block, operate the vertical actuator system to lower the coater blade to engage with the calibration surface of the calibration block, operate the sensor to measure the distance D0 to the calibration block, operate the lateral movement mechanism to position or translate the coater blade on the resin upper surface, operate the sensor to measure the distance D to the resin upper surface, and calculate the distance d from the lower end of the coater blade to the resin upper surface, where d = D - D0.

[0010] In one implementation, the coater blade has a major axis along the X-axis. The lateral movement mechanism is configured to transport the coater blade along the Y-axis orthogonal to the X-axis. The sensor includes two sensors spaced apart with respect to the Y-axis. The calibration block includes two calibration blocks. The operation of the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade on the calibration block includes positioning each of the two sensors on one of the two calibration blocks. The distance D0 is measured for each of the two sensors.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a three-dimensional (3D) printing system 2 for manufacturing or fabricating a 3D article 4. When explaining the system 2, axes X, Y, and Z that are mutually perpendicular are used and are also referred to as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis as aliases. The axes X and Y are generally horizontal transverse axes. The Z-axis is a vertical axis that is generally aligned with the gravity reference. The term "generally" means that the direction or magnitude is not necessarily exact and is due to the design. Thus, the term "generally horizontal" means horizontal (perpendicular to the gravity vector) within the design tolerances and manufacturing tolerances. The term "generally aligned" means being aligned within the range of the design tolerances and manufacturing tolerances.

[0013] The 3D printing system 2 includes a resin container 6 for containing a photocurable resin 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the photocurable resin 8 includes, among other things, a monomer, a catalyst, and a filler. The catalyst enables the resin 8 to solidify and cure by the application of radiation such as blue radiation, violet radiation, or ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of typically less than about 450 nanometers (nm). Photocurable resins for stereolithography systems are known in the art.

[0014] System 2 includes a shaping plate 10 having an upper surface 12 on which a 3D article 4 is formed. A shaping plate support structure 14 supports the shaping plate 10. A vertical movement mechanism 16 is operable to vertically position the shaping plate support structure 14 and thereby vertically position the shaping plate 10. In one embodiment, the vertical movement mechanism 16 includes a fixed motor coupled to a lead screw. The shaping plate support structure 14 includes a threaded bearing that receives the lead screw. When the motor rotates the lead screw, the shaping plate support structure 14 is controllably translated vertically. Further, the vertical movement mechanism 16 and the shaping plate support structure 14 include mating linear bearings that ensure linear movement of the shaping plate support structure along a vertical axis Z. In the field of stereolithography, various vertical and lateral movement mechanisms are known. All typically include linear bearings for guiding the movement, but the movement can be based on a lead screw, a rack and pinion system, a belt and pulley system, or well-known means for imparting movement.

[0015] System 2 includes a resin leveling subsystem 18 configured to maintain a resin upper surface 20 at a predetermined vertical position. In the illustrated embodiment, the resin upper surface 20 generally coincides with the shaping plane 22. The resin leveling subsystem 18 can include a resin level sensor and a weight coupled to a pulley system. The weight is partially immersed in the resin 8, and the vertical position of the resin upper surface 20 changes via volume displacement as the weight moves up and down. The resin level sensor outputs a signal indicative of the vertical position of the resin upper surface 20. The signal is analyzed and the pulley system is operated to move the weight up and down to maintain the resin upper surface 20 generally coincident with the shaping plane 22.

[0016] The "upper surface" 24 can be defined as either the upper surface 12 or the upper surface 24 of the 3D article 4 when partially formed. Before an additional material layer is formed on the 3D article 4, the upper surface 24 is positioned at a vertical position generally one material layer thickness below the shaping plane 22.

[0017] System 2 includes a coating subsystem 26. After the top surface 24 is positioned one layer thickness below the shaping plane 22, the coating subsystem 26 is configured to pass over the top surface and define a new layer 28 of resin 8 on the top surface 24. Details of the coating subsystem 26 are described below. The new layer 28 of resin 8 has a resin top surface 20 that generally coincides with the shaping plane 22.

[0018] System 2 includes an imaging subsystem 30. The imaging subsystem 30 is configured to scan an energy beam 32 over the shaping plane 22 to selectively cure and solidify the new layer 28 of resin 8 to form a new material layer of the 3D article 4. In an exemplary embodiment, the imaging subsystem 30 includes a laser that generates a radiation beam 32 that is reflected by a scanner. The scanner scans the radiation beam 32 over the shaping plane 22. In an exemplary embodiment, the scanner includes two galvanometer mirrors including an X mirror and a Y mirror configured to scan the radiation beam along the X axis and the Y axis, respectively, over the shaping plane 22. The imaging subsystem is known in the field of stereolithography. Another imaging subsystem can be based on a "light bar array" of light emitting devices that scan over the shaping plane 22. Yet another imaging subsystem can be based on the projection of a pixel array of radiation. All such radiation subsystems are well known in the art.

[0019] The controller 34 is connected to the vertical movement mechanism 16, the resin leveling subsystem 18, the coating subsystem 26, the imaging subsystem 30, and other parts of the system 2. The controller 34 includes a processor 36 (such as a CPU or central processing unit) coupled to a non - transient information storage device 38 (such as a flash memory). The storage device 38 stores software instructions. The controller 34 is configured to operate the parts of the system 2 when the processor 36 executes the software instructions stored in the non - transient information storage device 38. The controller 34 can include a single unit associated with the system 2, or can include a plurality of control units that can be co - located and / or remotely located with respect to the illustrated system 2.

[0020] Figure 2 is an isometric view showing certain components of an embodiment of the system 2. In the illustrated embodiment, from the user's perspective, the axes X, Y, and Z can be described. The lateral X - axis extends from left to right. The lateral Y - axis extends from front to back or from forward to backward. The vertical Z - axis extends upward. The illustrated components include a resin container 6, a shaping plate 10, a shaping - plate support structure 14, a vertical movement mechanism 16, and a resin leveling subsystem 18 (a weight that is raised and lowered). The vertical movement mechanism 16 includes a motor 15 coupled to a vertical lead screw to provide vertical positioning of the shaping - plate support structure 14 and the shaping plate 10. Between the shaping - plate support structure 14 and the vertical movement mechanism 16, there is a pair of linear bearings (hidden in this figure) for controlling the linearity of the movement along the Z - axis. The coating subsystem 26 and the imaging subsystem 30 are not shown.

[0021] Figure 3 is an isometric view separately showing an embodiment of the coating subsystem 26. The coating subsystem 26 includes a wiper module 40 or a coater module 40, which includes a coater blade 42 supported between two ends 44 at opposite ends of the coater blade 42 with respect to the lateral X - axis.

[0022] FIG. 4 is an isometric sectional view showing the coater blade 42 separated. One end of the cutaway view shows an internal recess 46 that is at least partially filled with resin 8 to facilitate coating of the irregular upper surface 24 of the 3D article 4. The coater blade 42 also has a lower end 48.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 3, the coating subsystem 26 includes a pair of linear bearings 50 at opposite ends of the coater module 40 with respect to the X-axis. The end 44 is in sliding engagement with the linear bearings 50 and is supported by the linear bearings 50. The end 44 slides on the linear bearings 50 along the Y-axis.

[0024] Two belts 52 are individually supported by pulleys 54 at opposite ends of the coater module 40. The belts 52 are attached to the end 44 at both ends of the coater module 40. A motor 56 is connected to the two pulleys 54. Rotation of the pulleys 54 by the motor 56 causes the belts to move, and the coater module 40 slides in engagement with the linear bearings 50 and is thereby supported to translate along the Y-axis. The combination of the motor 56, pulleys 54, belts 52, and other possible components can be referred to as a "lateral movement mechanism" 58 for transporting the coater module 40 along the Y-axis.

[0025] A set of four vertical actuators 60 supports and vertically positions the linear bearings 50. The vertical actuators 60 are individually coupled between a vertical support 62 (FIG. 5) and one of the linear bearings 50. Each linear bearing 50 is individually supported by a front vertical actuator 60 and a rear vertical actuator 60, and adjustment of the height and tilt angle of each linear bearing 50 is possible. In one embodiment, the vertical actuator 60 individually includes an electric lead screw that rotates a nut attached to one end of the linear bearing 50, thereby raising or lowering it. The set of four vertical actuators 60 and other related components can be referred to as a "vertical actuator system" 61.

[0026] A set of two calibration blocks 64 is arranged horizontally within the horizontal movement range of the coater module 40. The calibration blocks 64 each have an upward-facing calibration surface 66. The calibration surface 66 can have substantially the same vertical position as the profiling plane 22, although the exact height is not critical.

[0027] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a portion of the coating subsystem 26, and some of the components described above can be seen in more detail. The end 44 of the coater module includes a distance sensor 68 individually. The distance sensor 68 is configured to output information indicating the distance to the surface below the distance sensor 68. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance sensor 68 is a laser distance sensor operating on the principle of triangulation. The sensor 68 includes a semiconductor laser and a photodiode line. The laser emits a beam that is reflected from the surface and returns to the photodiode line. The position of incidence on the photodiode line is a function of the sensed distance. Other distance sensors 68 operating on different principles, such as ultrasonic sensors, are also possible and are known in the art for sensing the distance to a surface.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a front view showing the coating subsystem 26 separated. In this figure, the lower end 48 of the coater blade 42 is in contact with the calibration surface 66 of the calibration block 64.

[0029] FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing methods 70 and 80 for calibrating the coating subsystem 26. The controller 34 is configured to operate the components of the system 2 to execute the methods 70 and 80.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a method 70 for calibrating the vertical distance sensor 68. According to 72, the coater module 40 is in the raised position. According to 74, the lateral movement mechanism 58 is operated to translate the coater module 40 along the Y-axis until the ends of the coater blade 42 and the vertical sensor 68 are individually positioned over one of the calibration surfaces 66.

[0031] According to 76, the vertical actuator system 61 is operated to lower the coater module 40 until the end of the lower end 48 of the coater blade 42 engages and contacts the upper surface 66 of the calibration block 64 (as shown in FIG. 6). According to 78, the distance sensor 68 is operated to individually measure the vertical distance to the upper surface 66. This measured value is stored as the "zero position" which is the vertical height of the lower end 48 of the coater blade. According to 79, the vertical actuator system 61 is operated to raise the coater module 40 and lift the lower end 48 from the calibration surface 66.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a method 80 for adjusting the parallelism and the optimal distance between the movement of the coater module 40 and the resin upper surface 20 (which should generally coincide with the shaping plane 22). According to 82, the coater module 40 is in the raised position. According to 84, the lateral movement mechanism 58 is operated to translate the coater module along the Y-axis until the coater blade 42 is laterally positioned at or near the position of the front vertical actuator 60 (where the front means a lower Y value relative to the rear).

[0033] According to 86, the front vertical actuator 60 is operated to lower the coater module 40 until the distance sensor 68 is within the optimal sensing range of the resin upper surface 20. The sensor 68 has a zero position at the lower end 48 of the coater blade, and the indicated distance is equal to the vertical distance from the lower end 48 to the resin upper surface 20.

[0034] According to 88, the lateral movement mechanism 58 is operated to translate the coater module along the Y-axis until the coater blade 42 is laterally positioned at or near the position of the rear vertical actuator 60 (rear means a higher Y value relative to the front). According to 90, the rear vertical actuator 60 is operated to lower the coater module 40 until the distance sensor 68 is within the optimal sensing range of the resin upper surface 20. Step 90 is essentially the same as step 86, except for the end on the opposite side of the shaping plane 22 with respect to the Y-axis. By repeating steps 84 - 90, the translational parallelism and distance between the lower end 48 and the shaping plane 22 can be repeatedly calibrated.

[0035] Figure 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method executed by the controller 34 to manufacture the 3D article 4. According to 102, the method 70 (Figure 7) is executed to "zero" the distance sensor 68 with respect to the lower end 48 of the coater blade 42. According to 104, the method 80 (Figure 8) is executed to optimize the vertical position of the vertical actuator 60.

[0036] According to 106, the vertical movement mechanism 16 is operated to position the upper surface (12 or 24) of the shaping plate to the shaping plane 22. According to 108, the vertical actuator system 61 is operated to position the lower end 48 of the coater blade 42 to coincide with the shaping plane 22. According to 110, the lateral movement mechanism 58 is operated to translate the lower end 48 of the coater blade 42 on the shaping plane 22 to form a new layer 28 of the photocurable resin 8 on the upper surface (12 or 24). According to 112, the imaging subsystem 30 is operated to selectively cure and solidify the new layer 28 of the photocurable resin 8. As shown, steps 106 - 112 are repeated until the fabrication of the 3D article 4 is completed.

[0037] The above specific embodiments and their applications are for illustrative purposes only and do not exclude modifications and variations encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. A container configured to contain a photocurable resin having a resin upper surface; A coating subsystem; A calibration block having a calibration surface; and A controller A three-dimensional (3D) printing system comprising: The coating subsystem includes: A coater module including a coater blade; A lateral movement mechanism connected to the coater module; A sensor attached to the coater module; and A vertical actuator system Including: The controller is configured to: Operate the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade on the calibration block; Operate the vertical actuator system to lower the coater blade to engage with the calibration surface of the calibration block; Operate the sensor to measure the distance to the calibration block; Store the distance as indicating the vertical position of the lower end of the coater blade Configured as: The controller further: Operate the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade above the resin upper surface; Operate the sensor to obtain the sensed position of the resin upper surface; Operate the vertical actuator system to position the coater blade in the vertical direction based on a comparison of the vertical position of the lower end of the coater blade with the sensed position of the resin upper surface Configured as: A three-dimensional printing system, characterized by the above.

2. Further including a pair of linear bearings individually extending along the Y-axis, The coater module extends along the X-axis orthogonal to the Y-axis, the coater module includes two ends at opposite ends of the coater module with respect to the X-axis, and the two ends are individually engaged with the linear bearings to support and guide the coater module along the Y-axis The three-dimensional printing system according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The three-dimensional printing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the lateral movement mechanism includes an electric belt system including two belts individually attached to the two ends.

4. The three-dimensional printing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the vertical actuator system includes a plurality of actuators configured to vertically position a pair of linear bearings, and controls the vertical position of the coater blade conveyed along the Y-axis.

5. The three-dimensional printing system according to claim 2, wherein the vertical actuator system includes four vertical actuators, namely a rear vertical actuator and a front vertical actuator, spaced apart with respect to the Y-axis, for each of the linear bearings.

6. The three-dimensional printing system according to claim 2, wherein the sensor includes two sensors individually arranged at one of the two ends of the coater module.

7. The three-dimensional printing system according to claim 6, wherein the calibration block includes two calibration blocks individually corresponding to one of the two sensors.

8. It further includes a vertical movement mechanism connected to the shaping platform and the imaging module, The controller further operates the vertical movement mechanism to position the upper surface of the shaping platform or the 3D article on the shaping plane; operates the vertical actuator system to position the lower end of the coater blade on the shaping plane; operates the lateral movement mechanism to translate the lower end of the coater blade across the upper surface to form a new layer of photocurable resin on the upper surface; operates the imaging module to selectively cure the new layer of photocurable resin; repeats the operations of the vertical movement mechanism, the lateral movement mechanism, and the imaging module to complete the production of the 3D article in a layer-by-layer manner configured as The three-dimensional printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that.

9. A method of operating a three-dimensional (3D) printing system, comprising: providing a 3D printing system, the 3D printing system comprising: a container configured to contain a photocurable resin having a resin upper surface; a coating subsystem including a coater module including a coater blade, a lateral movement mechanism connected to the coater module, a sensor attached to the coater module, and a vertical actuator system; a calibration block having a calibration surface including; operating the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade on the calibration block; operating the vertical actuator system to lower the coater blade to engage with the calibration surface of the calibration block; operating the sensor to measure the distance to the calibration block; and A step of memorizing a distance as an indication of the vertical position of the lower end of the coater blade including A step of operating the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade above the upper surface of the resin; A step of operating the sensor to obtain the sensed position of the upper surface of the resin; and A step of operating the vertical actuator system to position the coater blade in the vertical direction based on a comparison of the vertical position of the lower end of the coater blade with respect to the sensed position of the upper surface of the resin further including A method, characterized by this.

10. The 3D printing system includes a pair of linear bearings extending along the Y-axis, the coater module extends along the X-axis orthogonal to the Y-axis, the coater module includes two ends at opposite ends of the coater module with respect to the X-axis, the two ends are individually engaged with the linear bearings, support and guide the coater module along the Y-axis, the lateral movement mechanism includes two belts individually connected to one of the two ends, the two belts are connected to a motor, and the step of operating the lateral movement mechanism includes a step of operating the motor to impart motion to the two belts A method according to claim 9, characterized by this.

11. The 3D printing system includes a pair of linear bearings extending along the Y-axis, the coater module extends along the X-axis orthogonal to the Y-axis, the coater module includes two ends at opposite ends of the coater module with respect to the X-axis, the two ends are individually engaged with the linear bearings, support and guide the coater module along the Y-axis, the vertical actuator system includes a plurality of vertical actuators coupled to the linear bearings, and the step of operating the vertical actuator system includes a step of individually operating the plurality of vertical actuators A method according to claim 9, characterized by this.

12. The sensor includes two sensors at opposite ends of the coater module, the calibration block includes two calibration blocks corresponding to the two sensors, and the step of operating the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade on the calibration block positions each of the two sensors on a corresponding one of the two calibration blocks. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that.

13. The 3D printing system further includes a vertical movement mechanism connected to a shaping platform and an imaging module. The method further includes operating the vertical movement mechanism to position the upper surface of the shaping platform or the 3D article on the shaping plane; operating the vertical actuator system to position the lower end of the coater blade on the shaping plane; operating the lateral movement mechanism to translate the lower end of the coater blade parallel across the upper surface to form a new layer of photocurable resin on the upper surface; operating the imaging module to selectively cure the new layer of photocurable resin; and repeating the operations of the vertical movement mechanism, the lateral movement mechanism, and the imaging module to complete the fabrication of the 3D article in a layer-by-layer manner The method according to claim 9, characterized in that it includes.

14. A container configured to contain a photocurable resin having a resin upper surface; A coating subsystem; A calibration block having a calibration surface; and A controller A three-dimensional (3D) printing system comprising: The coating subsystem includes A coater module including a coater blade; A lateral movement mechanism connected to the coater module; A sensor attached to the coater module; and A vertical actuator system Including The controller is operating the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade on the calibration block; operating the vertical actuator system to lower the coater blade to engage with the calibration surface of the calibration block; Operate the sensor to measure the distance D to the calibration block ０ ; operating the lateral movement mechanism to position or translate the coater blade on the resin upper surface; operating the sensor to measure the distance D to the resin upper surface; The distance d from the lower end of the coater blade to the upper surface of the resin is calculated according to the formula d = D - D ０ ​ Configured as A three-dimensional (3D) printing system, characterized in that.

15. The coater blade has a major axis along the X-axis, the lateral movement mechanism is configured to convey the coater blade along the Y-axis orthogonal to the X-axis, and the sensor includes two sensors spaced apart from the Y-axis. The 3D printing system according to claim 14, characterized in that.

16. The calibration block includes two calibration blocks, and the step of operating the lateral movement mechanism to position the coater blade on the calibration block includes positioning each of the two sensors on one of the two calibration blocks, the distance D ０ is measured for each of the two sensors, and the three-dimensional (3D) printing system according to claim 15 is characterized in that.

17. Further comprising a vertical movement mechanism connected to the shaping platform and the imaging module, The controller further operates the vertical movement mechanism to position the upper surface of the shaping platform or the 3D article on the shaping plane; operates the vertical actuator system to position the lower end of the coater blade on the shaping plane; operates the lateral movement mechanism to translate the lower end of the coater blade over the upper surface to form a new layer of photocurable resin on the upper surface; operates the imaging module to selectively cure the new layer of photocurable resin; Repeats the operations of the vertical movement mechanism, the lateral movement mechanism, and the imaging module to complete the production of the 3D article in a layer-by-layer manner configured to The 3D printing system according to claim 14, characterized in that.

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