Patent ID: 11020897

Abstract:
An additive manufacturing apparatus having a container for holding a radiation-curable liquid, and a build platform having a build surface for holding a product being manufactured during a manufacturing process. The build platform is movable relative to the container in a predetermined direction. The apparatus also includes a radiation source for providing hardening radiation to selectively solidify radiation-curable liquid in the container by exposure to form the product. The container includes an interior floor having a flexible floor part maintainable in a planar configuration in which the flexible floor part is planar. A radiation-curable liquid in contact with the interior floor is confined by a container wall having a flexible wall section arranged to move intactly with the flexible floor part. The apparatus includes a deformation system configured to cause a displacement of at least a part of the flexible floor part in a direction having a component normal to and pointing away from the build surface of the build platform.