An additive manufacturing apparatus configured to produce a part layer by layer, the apparatus comprising: a support structure; a stage positioned opposite the support structure and configured to hold a stacked arrangement of one or more cured layers of a resin; one or more actuators operable to move the stage away from the support structure; a build material depositor configured to deposit curable resin comprising a radiant-energy curable material over a build surface defined by a foil and positioned such that it faces the stage; wherein the foil extends between the support structure and the stage; a radiant energy apparatus positioned opposite the stage such that the support structure is positioned between the radiant energy apparatus and the stage; the radiant energy apparatus being operable to generate and project radiant energy through the support structure and the foil on the resin in a predetermined pattern; a controller; a resin handling assembly including a first driven roller and a second driven roller spaced apart with the foil extending therebetween, wherein the controller is configured to control the first driven roller to affect the peel rate of the foil by controlling the tension between the part and the first driven roller, and/or to control the second driven roller to affect the peel rate of the foil by controlling the tension between the part and the second driven roller; and a foil separation device that includes a first and a second holddown device (72, 74) each configured such that the foil contacts the first and the second holddown device (72, 74) as the stage is moved away from the support structure in a separation process; wherein the first and the second holddown devices (72, 74) are positioned such that contact locations (76, 77) are spaced apart from the surface of the support structure at a distance which is greater than the thickness of the combination of the thicknesses of the resin layer and the foil. a support structure; a stage positioned opposite the support structure and configured to hold a stacked arrangement of one or more cured layers of a resin; one or more actuators operable to move the stage away from the support structure; a build material depositor configured to deposit curable resin comprising a radiant-energy curable material over a build surface defined by a foil and positioned such that it faces the stage; wherein the foil extends between the support structure and the stage; a radiant energy apparatus positioned opposite the stage such that the support structure is positioned between the radiant energy apparatus and the stage; the radiant energy apparatus being operable to generate and project radiant energy through the support structure and the foil on the resin in a predetermined pattern; a controller; a resin handling assembly including a first driven roller and a second driven roller spaced apart with the foil extending therebetween, wherein the controller is configured to control the first driven roller to affect the peel rate of the foil by controlling the tension between the part and the first driven roller, and/or to control the second driven roller to affect the peel rate of the foil by controlling the tension between the part and the second driven roller; and a foil separation device that includes a first and a second holddown device (72, 74) each configured such that the foil contacts the first and the second holddown device (72, 74) as the stage is moved away from the support structure in a separation process; wherein the first and the second holddown devices (72, 74) are positioned such that contact locations (76, 77) are spaced apart from the surface of the support structure at a distance which is greater than the thickness of the combination of the thicknesses of the resin layer and the foil.