Abstract: A stereolitography apparatus comprises a fixed vat (401) or a holder for receiving a removable vat for holding resin during stereolithographic 3D printing, and a radiation source (501) for generating radiation capable of polymerizing portions of said resin in said vat. (401). The apparatus comprises a shutter (502) between said radiation source (501) and said vat (401) for allowing only selected portions of the generated radiation to reach said resin, and a cooling channel (503) between said radiation source (501) and said shutter (502). The apparatus comprises a blower (504) configured to force coolant gas through said cooling channel (503).

Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus comprises a fixed, vat (401) or a holder for receiving a removable vat for holding resin for use in a stereolithographic 3D printing process, a build platform (402), a moving mechanism (2003) configured to move said build platform in a working movement range be-tween a first extreme position proximal to said vat (401) and a second extreme position distant from said vat (401), a working region between said vat (401) and said second extreme position of said build platform (402), an optical imaging detector (501) having a field of view, installed and directed so that at least a part of said working region is within said field of view when said optical imaging detector is in an operating position and a controller (502, 2001) coupled to said optical imaging detector (501) for receiving optical image data from said optical imaging detector (501). Said controller (502, 2001) is configured to use said optical image data in controlling operation of the stereolithography apparatus.

Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus comprises a reader device (501) configured to read an identifier (802) of a vat (401), and a controller (502) coupled to said reader device (501) and configured to receive data read in by said reader device (501). Said data includes use history data of the vat (401) or said controller (502) is configured to read in use history data of the vat (401) from a database external to the vat (401) as a response to reading in the data. Said controller (502) is configured to use a piece of said use history data as a value of an operating parameter of said stereolithography apparatus or to generate an alarm.

Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus comprises a fixed vat (401) or a holder for receiving a removable vat for holding resin for use in a stereolithographic 3D printing process, an optical radiator (901) configured to project a pattern upon a portion of said vat (401), an optical imaging detector *501 (field of view, installed and directed so that said portion of said vat (401) and/or a surface onto which the projected pattern is reflected—is within said field of view when said optical imaging detector (501) is in an operating position, and a controller (502, 2001) coupled to said optical imaging detector (501) for receiving optical image data from said optical imaging detector (501). Said controller (502, 2001) is configured to use said optical image data to calculate an amount of resin in said vat (401).

Abstract: A stereolithoqraphy apparatus comprises a reader device (501, 2008) configured to read in parameter data from a machine-readable identifier (802) of a resin tank (801), and a controller (502, 2001) coupled to said reader device (501, 2008) and configured to receive parameter data read in by said reader device (501, 2008). Said controller (502, 2001) is configured to use at least a piece of said received parameter data as a value of an operating parameter of said stereolithography apparatus.

Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus comprises a fixed, vat (401) or a holder for receiving a removable vat for holding resin for use in a stereolithographic 3D printing process, a build platform (402), a moving mechanism (2003) configured to move said build platform in a working movement range be-tween a first extreme position proximal to said vat (401) and a second extreme position distant from said vat (401), a working region between said vat (401) and said second extreme position of said build platform (402), an optical imaging detector (501) having a field of view, installed and directed so that at least a part of said working region is within said field of view when said optical imaging detector is in an operating position and a controller (502, 2001) coupled to said optical imaging detector (501) for receiving optical image data from said optical imaging detector (501). Said controller (502, 2001) is configured to use said optical image data in controlling operation of the stereolithography apparatus.

Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus comprises a fixed vat (401) or a holder for receiving a removable vat for holding resin during stereolithographic 3D printing, and a radiation source (501) for generating radiation capable of polymerizing portions of said resin in said vat. (401). The apparatus comprises a shutter (502) between said radiation source (501) and said vat (401) for allowing only selected portions of the generated radiation to reach said resin, and a cooling channel (503) between said radiation source (501) and said shutter (502). The apparatus comprises a blower (504) configured to force coolant gas through said cooling channel (503).

Abstract: Stereolithography apparatus comprising a vat (401) for holding resin during stereolithographic 3D printing, a resin delivery mechanism (701) comprising at least one resin tank and a holder (602) for removably receiving the resin tank in the stereo-lithography apparatus, wherein the resin tank is a resin capsule (501) for holding a single shot of resin (703) arranged to be emptied to the vat (401).

Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus (100) has an exposure arrangement (110), comprising a radiative element (120); a masking element (130), having a substantially rectangular masking area (132); an optical path (140) between the radiative element (120) and the masking area (132), having a linear segment (145); and an intensity-unifying arrangement (150), having a first, a second, a third, and a fourth reflective surface (1521, 1522, 1523, 1524) The first and second reflective surfaces (1521, 1522,) are arranged on opposite sides of the linear segment (145), and the third and fourth reflective surfaces (1523, 1524) are arranged on opposite sides of the linear segment (145). In a cross section of the intensity-unifying arrangement (150) along any plane, perpendicularly intersecting the linear segment (145), the reflective surfaces (1521, 1522, 1523, 1524) follow a boundary (156) of a rectangle.