System and method for microwave volumetric additive manufacturing

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a volumetric additive manufacturing system for forming a structure from a volume of resin using microwave energy. The system makes use of an electronic controller and at least one beam forming algorithm accessible by the electronic controller for generating information relating to an amplitude and a time delay for forming a microwave signal, where the microwave signal will be used in irradiating a build volume, and where the build volume is formed by the volume of resin. A microwave signal generating subsystem is included which is responsive to the information generated by the beam forming algorithm, and which generates a microwave signal using the amplitude and the time delay determined by the beam forming algorithm. An antenna is used to receive the microwave signal and project the microwave signal as a microwave beam, in accordance with the amplitude and time delay, into the build volume to form the structure.