Stereolithography Method and Apparatus, and Holder for Use in Such a Method

Abstract

A method for stereolithography printing, including the steps of positioning a holder containing a printing material in a first position in a stereolithography apparatus; stereolithography printing a plurality of successive layers in the holder using radiation for solidifying the printing material, such that one or more objects are formed; moving the holder from the first position to a second position away from the first position; opening the holder and removing the one or more objects from the opened holder, in the second position of the holder.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A holder containing a printing material for use in stereolithography printing using radiation, the holder having a first wall and a second wall opposite the first wall;
 wherein the first wall comprises a first portion which is configured for allowing radiation to pass through;   wherein the second wall has an internal surface portion which is configured to adhere to the printing material upon solidification thereof; and   wherein the holder is configured for allowing the second wall to be approached to and moved away from the first wall such that a layer of printing material can be printed between the second wall and the first wall.   
     
     
         2 . The holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve extending between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the sleeve is configured for allowing the second wall to be approached to and moved away from the first wall such that the layer of printing material can be printed between the second wall and the first wall. 
     
     
         3 . The holder of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve is configured for allowing a portion of the printing material in the holder to be moved away from a zone between the first wall and the second wall as the second wall is approached to the first wall, and towards the zone between the first wall and the second wall as the second wall is moved away from the first wall. 
     
     
         4 . The holder of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve is made of a flexible material that can be bent or folded as the second wall is approached to the first wall. 
     
     
         5 . The holder of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve is configured to be compressible in a direction perpendicular to the first wall; and/or wherein the sleeve is stretchable and/or deformable; and/or wherein the sleeve is made of a film or sheet material. 
     
     
         6 . The holder of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve comprises a cylindrical portion having a first end and a second end, a first frame portion at the first end, and a second frame portion at the second end, the first frame portion being adhered to the first wall and the second frame portion being adhered to the second wall. 
     
     
         7 . The holder of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve is made of a single or multilayer film material comprising any one or more of the following: a plastic layer, a metal layer. 
     
     
         8 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a housing comprising the first wall and the second wall opposite the first wall, the second wall and/or the first wall being moveably arranged in the housing, such that the first wall can be advanced to and moved away from the second wall, and wherein optionally the housing comprises a wall with a channel arranged for guiding the second wall and/or the first wall. 
     
     
         9 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the first wall is covered at an inner surface thereof with a coating, configured for promoting detaching from solidified printing material, such as a silicone coating. 
     
     
         10 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the first wall comprises a transparent film or sheet material, wherein preferably the first wall further comprises a frame, and wherein the film or sheet material of the first wall is fixed to the frame. 
     
     
         11 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the first wall comprises a first plate which is transparent to the radiation used, such as a glass plate, and wherein optionally the second wall comprises a second plate. 
     
     
         12 . The holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring means acting between the second wall and the first wall for keeping the second wall at a distance of the first wall when the spring means are in a non-compressed state. 
     
     
         13 . The holder of  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the holder is sealed in a printing material tight manner; and/or wherein the holder is provided with a venting mechanism; and/or wherein the printing material is a liquid or a paste; and/or wherein the holder is provided with an opening means for opening the holder. 
     
     
         14 . A stereolithography printing apparatus, comprising:
 a support configured for supporting a holder containing a printing material, the holder having a first wall and an opposite second wall;   a radiation unit configured to send radiation through the first wall in order to radiate and solidify printing material in the holder; and   a moving unit configured for moving the second wall of the holder with respect to the first wall of the holder.   
     
     
         15 . The stereolithography printing apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a control unit configured for controlling the radiation unit and the moving unit such that a first layer and a plurality of consecutive layers are printed between the first wall and the second wall of the holder, wherein the first layer adheres to the second wall.   
     
     
         16 . The stereolithography printing apparatus of  claim 14  for use with the holder comprising a first plate or frame in the first wall and a second plate or frame in the second wall, wherein the moving unit is configured for gripping the second wall such that the second plate or frame is in a position parallel to the first plate or frame and for moving the second plate or frame with respect to the first plate or frame. 
     
     
         17 . The stereolithography printing apparatus of  claim 14  for use with a holder comprising a flexible sleeve between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the moving unit is configured for changing the shape of the flexible sleeve such that a portion of the printing material is moved to or away from a zone in between the second wall and the first wall, and wherein optionally the moving unit comprises one or more pushing members configured for pushing the sleeve when the second wall is moved away from the first wall. 
     
     
         18 . The stereolithography printing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the support is configured for holding a plurality of holders containing printing material, each holder having a first wall and an opposite second wall, wherein the radiation unit is configured to send radiation through the first wall in order to radiate and solidify the printing material in each holder of said plurality of holders, and wherein the moving unit is configured for moving each second wall of each holder with respect to the corresponding first wall. 
     
     
         19 . A stereolithography printing system comprising a stereolithography printing apparatus, the stereolithography printing apparatus comprising:
 a support configured for supporting a holder containing a printing material, the holder having a first wall and a second opposite the first wall;
 wherein the first wall comprises a first portion which is configured for allowing radiation to pass through; 
 wherein the second wall has an internal surface portion which is configured to adhere to the printing material upon solidification thereof; and 
 wherein the holder is configured for allowing the second wall to be approached to and moved away from the first wall such that a layer of printing material can be printed between the second wall and the first wall 
   a radiation unit configured to send radiation through the first wall in order to radiate and solidify the printing material in the holder; and,   a moving unit configured for moving the second wall of the holder with respect to the first wall of the holder,   
     
     
         20 . A stereolithography printing apparatus for use with a plurality of holders, comprising:
 a support configured for holding the plurality of holders containing printing material, each holder having a first wall and an opposite second wall and the support being configured for supporting the first wall in a same plane;   at least one moving unit configured to move the second wall of the plurality of holders away from and towards the corresponding first wall thereof; and   a radiation unit comprising a radiation source, a positioning means for positioning the radiation source, and a controller for controlling the positioning of the radiation source, wherein the positioning means is configured to move the radiation source in a plane parallel to the plane of the first wall of the plurality of holders according to a pattern controlled by the controller.   
     
     
         21 . The stereolithography printing apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the controller is configured to control the positioning means according to a “line per line” scanning pattern, such that the radiation source radiates subsequent lines of objects to be printed in the plurality of holders.