New model for liquid-based rapid prototyping with a scanning Lorentz beam

Abstract

In this work, a new model is proposed to examine the effect of scanning Lorentz beam on a liquid based rapid prototyping scheme. The interaction of a Lorentz laser beam with a photocurable resin is analysed for different kinds of processing parameters such as beam power, beam size, scan speed, cure depth, width of the cured region and critical radiant exposure. The penetration depth profile of curing is obtained while the beam propagates inside the resin. It is shown that the proposed laser scanning model can be used to estimate the depth profile of the cured region that is treated for a certain amount of critical exposure. The Lorentzian beam generates fine and narrow hatch structures along the scan direction. This distinct ability facilitates the development of a low resolution process for fabricating complex patterns.