Actinically Opaque and Transparent Resin Storage Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

In additive fabrication, photopolymers are prone to premature curing due to unintentional exposure to actinic radiation during storage and handling, leading to reduced usability and increased user error.

Innovation Solution

A storage unit with a combination of actinically opaque and transparent regions, where the transparent region is shielded during storage and exposed during fabrication, using a removable lid that is actinically opaque to prevent unwanted radiation exposure, allowing for efficient storage and use within additive fabrication devices without transferring the resin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If photopolymer resin is stored in a transparent container to allow observation and easy handling, then ease of operation is improved, but premature curing occurs due to unintentional exposure to actinic radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of handlingVSAvoidpremature curing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container is designed with differentiated optical properties: the walls are actinically opaque to block radiation during storage, while the bottom is actinically transparent to allow radiation transmission during fabrication. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing protection where needed (walls) and enabling function where required (bottom).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The container system dynamically transitions between storage mode (with opaque lid attached, blocking radiation) and fabrication mode (with lid removed, allowing radiation access through transparent bottom). This dynamic configuration allows the same container to satisfy both protection and operational requirements at different times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If photopolymer resin is stored in an actinically opaque container to prevent premature curing, then reliability is improved, but the resin cannot be observed and requires transfer for use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of premature curingVSAvoidease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container combines actinically opaque walls for protection with an actinically transparent bottom for radiation transmission during fabrication. This allows the container to maintain reliability during storage while enabling direct use in the fabrication process without transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The storage and fabrication functions are merged into a single container system. The resin remains in the same container from storage through fabrication, eliminating the need for transfer operations while maintaining protection from premature curing through the opaque lid and walls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a removable lid is added to the container to block actinic radiation during storage, then protection from premature curing is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from actinic radiationVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is designed as a simple, removable component that provides actinically opaque protection when attached. This flexible approach to sealing allows effective radiation blocking without requiring complex integrated structures, balancing protection needs with structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration reduces premature curing and user error by shielding the photopolymer from actinic radiation during storage while enabling controlled exposure during fabrication, enhancing the reliability and convenience of photopolymer use in stereolithography processes.

Implementation Method 1

at least one wall that extends upwards from the bottom face and that comprises at least one region of actinically opaque material that is actinically opaque with respect to the photopolymer resin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a bottom face comprising at least one region of actinically transparent material that is actinically transparent with respect to the photopolymer resin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS10414073B2Resin container for stereolithography

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 FORMLABS INC

AI summary

According to some aspects, a storage unit for storing a photopolymer resin is provided. The storage unit may comprise a photopolymer resin, a bottom face comprising at least one region of actinically transparent material, the actinically transparent material being actinically transparent with respect to the photopolymer resin, at least one wall extending upwards from said bottom face comprising at least one region of actinically opaque material, the actinically opaque material being actinically opaque with respect to the photopolymer resin, and a lid comprising the actinically opaque material and removably connectable to the at least one wall.