Freeform Optics for Achieving Collimated and Uniform Light Distribution in LCD-type UV-Curable 3D Printing

Ultraviolet light (UV)-curable three dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a prominent additive manufacturing technology, finding diverse applications in industries such figurine production, artifact restoration, dentistry, jewelry design, and etc. For liquid crystal display (LCD) type UV-curable 3D printers, achieving uniform collimated distribution of the illumination system holds paramount importance, it directly influences precision. This study proposes novel tailoring method employing freeform lenses to attain high efficient for printers. The proposed mainly comprises high-power UV LED, lens, Fresnel lenses. Initially, ray mapping between source domain target is established design preliminary assuming point-like source. Subsequently, considering physical dimension high- power lens further optimized generate illuminance rectangular shape. Finally, employed collimate light. results demonstrate full width half maximum angular less than ±5°, indicating narrow spread beam. within specified exhibits an impressive level uniformity, exceeding 90%.