RESIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

An additive manufacturing apparatus (10) includes a stage (20) configured to hold a component (12). A radiant energy device (22) is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator (56) is configured to change a relative position of the stage (20) relative to the radiant energy device (22). A resin management system (44) includes a material deposition assembly (46) upstream configured to deposit a resin (R) on a resin support (28). The material deposition assembly (46) includes a reservoir (52) configured to retain a first volume of the resin (R) and define a thickness of the resin (R) on the resin support (28) as the resin support (28) is translated in an X-axis direction. The material deposition assembly (46) further includes a vessel (50) positioned above the reservoir (52) in a Z-axis direction and configured to store a second volume of the resin (R). In addition, the material deposition assembly (46) includes a conduit (54) configured to direct the resin (R) from the vessel (50) to the reservoir (52).