US Patent 11207833 Precision optical assembly method for three dimensional printing

A method of assembling a three-dimensional printing system includes providing a plurality of components, providing a plurality of spacer rings, and measurement, analysis and assembly steps. The components include a light engine, an adaptive support apparatus, a plurality of elongate struts, and a support plate. The measurement, analysis and assembly steps include (1) measuring a scale factor for the light engine, (2) determining a selection of one or more of the spacer rings based upon the measured scale factor, and (3) assembling the components with the determined selection of one or more spacer rings.