Stereolithography apparatus comprising a cartridge device

1. A stereolithography device ( 1 ) for producing a three-dimensional object ( 2 ) by way of layered or continuous curing of a photosensitive substance ( 3 ) under the action of specific radiation triggering the curing process, the device comprising:

a support unit ( 7 );

a radiation source ( 8 ) for generating the radiation ( 80 ) triggering the curing process; and

at least one cartridge unit ( 5 , 6 ) which is configured to be positioned on the support unit and removed therefrom and which includes ( 1 ) an interior space surrounded by a casing ( 14 ), at least a portion of the casing being transparent to the radiation triggering the curing process, and (ii) a closure element which is configured to close the interior space during an irradiation and curing process,

wherein the casing ( 14 , 141 , 142 , 143 , 144 , 24 , 34 , 44 ) of the at least one cartridge unit ( 5 , 6 , 10 , 20 , 30 , 40 ) is deformable, and the interior space ( 140 , 240 , 340 , 440 ) surrounded by the casing has a volume that is at least partially formed by a receiving space ( 4 ) configured to receive, and make accessible to said radiation, a quantity of the photosensitive substance ( 3 ) for at least a duration of the irradiation and curing process.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge unit ( 5 , 6 ) is configured to be fixed detachably to the support unit ( 7 ).

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein a deformable area of the casing has a one-piece design, and is made of a flexible material.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the volume of the interior space ( 140 ) is formed predominantly by the receiving space ( 4 ).

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the interior space ( 140 ) surrounded by the casing has a volume that remains substantially the same during a deformation of the casing.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the casing is deformable in a way that permits a reversible compression with respect to a height of the cartridge unit.

7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the casing ( 14 , 24 , 34 , 141 , 142 , 143 , 144 ) has a geometric shape which is foldable onto itself and comprises at least one reference surface ( 41 , 42 ).

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the casing comprises a bottom, a top part, and a jacket connecting the bottom and the top part, wherein the jacket is deformable.

9. The device according to claim 8 , wherein the bottom of the casing and/or the jacket comprise least one perforatable area for forming at least one opening for supplying or removing a photosensitive substance and/or for supplying or removing solvent into and/or out of the interior space.

10. The device according to claim 8 , wherein the jacket and/or the bottom are configured to be permeable to oxygen, air, and other gases or gas mixtures ( 19 ).

11. The device according to claim 8 , wherein the casing includes a closable opening on the upper face and/or on the side, through which the photosensitive substance can be supplied to the interior space and removed therefrom.

12. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the casing comprises sealing elements for sealing the opening.

13. The device according to claim 11 , wherein the closure element ( 11 , 21 , 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 ) has a one-piece design, wherein the closure element is realized as a support for the cured layers of the photosensitive substance.

14. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge unit comprises a component that is movable in the interior space and guided in the cartridge unit by way of guides of a geometric, mechanical and/or magnetic nature.

15. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the closure element ( 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 11 , 21 ) upwardly delimits and closes the interior space, wherein the closure element is replaceable and has an overall rigid design.

16. The device according to claim 15 , wherein the closure element comprises geometric clearances formed in a surface facing the interior space.

17. The device according to claim 15 wherein the closure element has a multi-piece design and comprises at least one area ( 101 ) configured to store one or more photosensitive substances.

18. The device according to claim 17 , wherein the area is configured to accept a receptacle ( 101 , 312 , 401 , 404 ) comprising a photosensitive substance, the device further comprising elements ( 105 , 305 ) for perforating the receptacle.

19. The device according to claim 15 , wherein the closure element comprises at least one integrated plunger ( 301 ), the plunger having a stroke enabling the delivery of the photosensitive substance to be metered.

20. The device according to claim 19 , wherein the plunger ( 301 ) comprises units ( 305 ) for perforating or opening a receptacle ( 312 ) present in the closure element, and wherein the receptacle comprises a photosensitive substance.

21. The device according to claim 19 , wherein the plunger comprises units for supplying a solvent and/or nitrogen, air, or another gas or gas mixture.

22. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge unit comprises an oxygen-permeable bottom that has at least a one-piece design.

23. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a unit for generating vibrations, which facilitate a detachment of the produced three-dimensional object.

24. The device according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of cartridge units ( 5 , 6 ) can be inserted into the device.