---
title: "Disney’s 3D Printer Produces Models Almost Instantaneously Using Light"
description: "Disney Research has designed a new 3D printer that utilizes light on photosensitive resin so that models can be printed out as whole objects instead of by the layer, cutting down 3D printing from hours down to just minutes."
date: "2016-05-05"
modified: "2016-05-05"
authors:
  - name: "Cecille De Jesus"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/cecille.md"
url: "https://futurism.com/disneys-3d-printer-produces-models-almost-instantaneously-using-light"
categories:
  - "3D Printing"
  - "Future Materials"
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "3d printing"
  - "disney 3d printer"
  - "Disney Research"
---

# Disney’s 3D Printer Produces Models Almost Instantaneously Using Light

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Disney-Has-Plans-to-Make-3D-Printing-Instantaneous-A.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Craftbot\</em\>*

## Instantaneous 3D Printing

Disney Research [has patented its design](<http://pdfaiw.uspto.gov/.aiw?PageNum=0&docid=20160107380&IDKey=F879C51A71EE&HomeUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fappft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO2%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsearch-bool.html%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526co1%3DAND%2526d%3DPG01%2526s1%3D20160107380%2526OS%3D20160107380%2526RS%3D20160107380>) for “a nearly instantaneous” 3D printer that uses light to cure resin selectively to produce an entire model out of a [stereolithography (STL) file](<http://www.3dsystems.com/quickparts/learning-center/what-is-stl-file>) all at once. Notably, this significantly cuts down printing time. Or at least, it will if it makes it to market.

"Presently, 3D printing is extremely slow and time consuming. For example, it may take several hours to print a single 3D object even if the 3D object is relatively small (e.g., several inches in diameter and four to 12 inches tall)," the patent stated. It continues, "the 3D printing process that uses conventional 3D printers such as an FFF-based 3D printer is limited in its speed by the speed of the mechanism moving the print head to each new position on a print layer."

The [photosensitive resin](<http://www.ctcprinter.com/product_detail.php?ProId=19>) to be used by the printer cures with light at specific wavelengths to make sure it doesn’t cure simply by being exposed to ambient light. The printer projects the light into the container, which has enough volume to produce the model. Once the light cures the model, it may simply be taken out of the container.

"In several test operations, a 3D printer using photo-curing liquids has been proven effective in generating 3D objects in several minutes or less rather than several hours," the patent asserts.

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Disney-3D-Printer.jpg>)
*Source: Disney Enterprises, Inc.*

## Patents All Set

Disney Research is also ensuring the exclusivity of the technology by filing another patent which would keep unauthorized companies from copying the printer by issuing passive radio frequency identification (RFID) embedded within every object printed.

"The digital file defines not only the outer shell of the 3D object but also defines a unique identifier or identification (ID) element to be printed in the inner volume (within the outer shell) of the 3D object in one or more layers," Disney stated.

### Author social links  
[Facebook](<http://facebook.com/thescientress>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://ph.linkedin.com/in/cecillebautistadejesus>)

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- [This Bizarre 3D Printer Spins out Shapes Like a Spider Spins a Web](<https://futurism.com/3d-printer-spins-shapes-like-spider-spins-web.md>)
- [Watch a Giant 3D Printer Spit out an Entire Boat](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/worlds-largest-3d-printed-boat.md>)
- [New Approach Revolutionizes the 3D Printing of Ceramics](<https://futurism.com/new-approach-revolutionizes-3d-printing-ceramics.md>)
- [3D Printers Go Rogue, Start Printing While Owners Are Asleep](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/rogue-3d-printers-printing-owners-sleep.md>)
- [This 3D Printer Creates Real Bones Using Synthetic Material](<https://futurism.com/new-3d-printer-creates-implants-mineral-human-bone.md>)
- [Here’s What Life Will Be Like With 3D Printers That Can Create Anything](<https://futurism.com/heres-life-like-3d-printers-can-create-anything.md>)
- [A Host of Soon-to-be-Expired Patents are Set to Revolutionize 3D Printing](<https://futurism.com/expiring-patents-set-to-improve-3d-world.md>)
- [Designers Want to Give 3D Printers Legs, Let Them Wander the Earth](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/3d-printers-legs-repair-environment.md>)