STEREOLITHOGRAPHING INSTRUMENT MATERIAL PREPARATION DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a material supply device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Rapid prototyping methods are increasingly used to manufacture components quickly and with high precision based on CAD / CAM data. Among the known methods, stereolithography stands out, particularly in the field of dental technology, where it can be further developed. In a process known per se, the component is built up layer by layer from a liquid, the printing material, by exposing specific structures to light.

[0003] The layer thickness here ranges between 0.05 and 0.25 mm, which places correspondingly high demands on the drive system of the build platform and the supply of the printing material bath. Furthermore, different structures are required for the production of different components. From a color perspective alone, it is advantageous to be able to use different printing materials.

[0004] Therefore, it has already been proposed to work with movable trays, each holding a printing material of the desired color, and to move the desired tray with the corresponding desired color of the printing material into the active area, i.e., into the area where the component is manufactured.

[0005] Since the printing materials used are typically light-sensitive, the trays have been fitted with a suitable lid or other cover to prevent premature drying of the printing material.

[0006] However, this solution is not satisfactory, as handling the trays often leads to losses of printing material and also to contamination of the environment, or at least can lead to them, and mix-ups cannot be ruled out.

[0007] Another stereolithography process is known from publication WO 2010 / 45951 A1, which uses, among other things, a tray and a cartridge. A disadvantage of this process is its limited flexibility, particularly when changing the printing material.

[0008] The publication EP 1 950 032 A2 relates to solid-state imaging devices and methods, such as solid-imaging devices and methods, wherein a material supply device accommodates a material cartridge which in turn accommodates the printing material, wherein the material cartridge has an outlet valve unit through which the printing material can be dispensed, and wherein the material cartridge is at least partially accommodated in the material supply device and is at least partially supported on or in it.

[0009] In contrast, the invention is based on the objective of creating a material supply device according to the preamble of claim 1, which enables a more universal use of the stereolithography device in question and is also safe to operate.

[0010] This problem is solved according to the invention by an object according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. A material supply device with a material cartridge, which can also be called a cassette, is provided and which is completely enclosed. The enclosed design creates a light-tight material supply device, regardless of whether the cartridge is arranged in the material supply device or not.

[0011] The material supply device comprises a receiving frame that can be opened and, in particular, sealed in a light-tight manner. The material cartridge according to the invention, in particular a bottle-shaped cartridge, can be inserted into this frame. This cartridge, in turn, receives the printing material and is designed such that the printing material can be dispensed for the rapid prototyping device, in particular the stereolithography unit.

[0012] According to the invention, the material supply device comprises a special material cartridge with an outlet valve unit. Printing material is dispensed from the cartridge via the outlet valve unit as needed. Whether material can be dispensed or not depends on the relative position of the material supply device to the stereolithography unit.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the valve is open when the material cartridge is located above the outlet valve unit and closed when it is located to the side of the valve unit. The material cartridge is preferably designed as a bottle. The outlet valve unit can be mounted to its connection, for example, a screw connection.

[0014] When the material cartridge is pivoted into the vertical position in which it extends with the outlet pointing downwards, this movement of the part of the valve unit connected to the material cartridge opens the valve.

[0015] In this position, a flow connection exists from the material cartridge to the outlet of the outlet valve unit. This opens into the tray for the printing material, allowing material to flow from the bottle into the tray. When the material cartridge is pivoted downwards to a substantially horizontal position, the part of the valve unit connected to the bottle outlet is pivoted at the same time. This movement closes the valve.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the outlet valve unit can be removed from the receiving frame of the material supply device in this position. For this purpose, a sliding guide is provided, which allows the relevant part of the valve unit to be removed upwards.

[0017] In this position, the bottle and valve unit can be replaced with a new one. This can be done by either screwing a new outlet valve unit onto the new bottle, or unscrewing the existing one and screwing it onto the new bottle.

[0018] It is advantageous to have a joint integrated into the outlet valve unit, dividing it into two parts that are pivotally connected via the joint. The first joint part preferably has a connection for the material cartridge. If the cartridge is designed as a bottle, it has a bottle neck or bottle outlet. This can have an external thread, allowing the first joint part to be screwed onto it.

[0019] It goes without saying that instead of the screw connection, any other connection, such as a bayonet connection, can also be implemented. The other joint part is preferably designed in such a way that the connection to the material supply device is otherwise ensured.

[0020] Preferably, the second joint part has a sliding guide for this purpose, for example a laterally projecting spring that can be inserted into a corresponding groove on the receiving frame of the material supply device.

[0021] The joint according to the invention allows the material cartridge to pivot 90 degrees relative to the mounting frame. In an upright position, the material cartridge is supported upside down and the valve is open. In the horizontal position, the material cartridge extends laterally from the joint and the outlet valve unit, and the valve is closed.

[0022] In the horizontal position of the material cartridge, the aforementioned sliding guide is accessible, so that the material cartridge together with the outlet valve unit can be removed and a new material cartridge with the outlet valve unit can be inserted.

[0023] In contrast, when the material cartridge is in the upright position, the sliding guide is locked, preventing the material cartridge from being accidentally pulled out when the valve is open, which would lead to contamination of the stereolithography device. The second joint section extends downward like a tube. This tube represents the outlet of the outlet valve unit and opens into the tank.

[0024] When the rapid prototyping device is implemented as a stereolithography unit, a tray is provided, as explained above, into which the printing material can be dispensed from the material cartridge. According to the invention, the material cartridge includes an outlet valve unit with a valve for this purpose.

[0025] This is designed so that the printed material dispensed there is discharged directly into the tray. The outlet of the discharge valve unit is preferably designed with a length such that it ends at the desired liquid level of the printed material in the tray.

[0026] The liquid level of the printing material in the tub is self-leveling, as is known, for example, from cattle troughs: As soon as the liquid level drops below the lower end of the outlet, air is able to enter the material cartridge through the outlet and the outlet valve unit, so that printing material can flow in.

[0027] Alternatively, any other self-regulating device can keep the liquid level in the tub constant: for example, a float valve known per se may be mentioned, although the above livestock drinking trough control is preferred because it is more resistant to cross-contamination.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, it is possible to draw the printing material back into the material cartridge as needed. Due to gravity and / or hydrostatic effects, printing material flows out of the material cartridge, ensuring the tray is always sufficiently filled.

[0029] A particularly advantageous aspect of the invention is that a one-to-one correspondence between the material cartridge and the tray is achieved. This can be ensured, for example, by appropriate coding such as mechanical coding. The combination of tray and material cartridge then contains the same printing material, provided the coding is material-specific.

[0030] Material-specific here refers both to the type of printing material used, i.e., its chemical composition, and to other properties of the printing material, such as its color.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the spatial assignment between the material cartridge and the tub is realized in such a way that the fluid connection between the material cartridge and the tub is provided regardless of the condition of the tub.

[0032] The desired liquid level of the printing material in the tank is guaranteed regardless of the condition, including during the construction of the molded part to be produced, since the outlet of the outlet valve unit protrudes into the tank and levels its liquid level.

[0033] For this purpose, it is advantageous that the outlet ends exactly horizontally and that the stereolithography system is positioned exactly horizontally. To implement a stereolithography system, it is necessary to provide an accurate reference height for layer build-up. According to the invention, a transparent support window serves this purpose; this window can be designed as a glass plate, the upper surface of which is used as the reference height. The glass plate serves as the base for a film that is provided at the bottom of the vat. The film is stretched over the glass plate, so that an exact reference height is always achieved, regardless of any inaccuracies in the vat's alignment.

[0034] In practical application, the material supply device, including the material cartridge and tray, is first inserted into the stereolithography machine.

[0035] According to an alternative embodiment, it can also be provided that the glass plate is adjusted to a desired and predetermined height, which forms the reference height. At this point in time, i.e., when the glass plate is in contact with the film, the tank is filled, but only when necessary, i.e., when the tank is not already filled. This can be achieved, for example, by opening the valve.

[0036] In another embodiment, the fill level can be controlled based on the output signal of a sensor that detects the fill level. According to the invention, it is advantageous if the assignment between the material cartridge and the vat remains unchanged when the material is changed. This is ensured by the correct coding. The material supply device can be removed from the stereolithography machine and placed in a storage location. When the material cartridge is empty, it can only be replaced by a material cartridge containing exactly the same material. This is ensured by the coding, since a material cartridge with a different printing material cannot be used due to the mechanically acting coding for the assignment between material cartridges and vats.The tray is also replaceable, but only if its coding matches that of the material cartridge. The remaining part of the material dispensing device, i.e., the mounting frame, is reusable and therefore a multi-use component. This applies to all parts of the material dispensing device except for the material cartridge, which is designed as a single-use item. However, the material required for the cartridge itself is very limited, especially since it can be designed as a simple bottle.

[0037] The tub itself is a reusable component. However, the lifespan of the base liner is limited, so it should be replaced after, for example, 5000 or 10000 removal cycles, i.e., a corresponding number of construction steps.

[0038] The material dispensing device with the inserted material cartridge is completely closed and leak-proof. As long as the tray is empty and the valve is in the closed position, it can be stored in any orientation, including upside down. A mechanical lock ensures that the material cartridge with the outlet valve unit can only be removed when the cartridge is in the horizontal pivot position, i.e., the position in which it was inserted into the material dispensing device.

[0039] The outlet preferably extends into the vat. In an advantageous embodiment, a transparent support window, in particular a glass plate, is arranged below the vat, and a film of the vat can be stretched over this. The top surface of the glass plate plus the thickness of the film then determines the reference height during build or slicing in the stereolithography process.

[0040] In another embodiment of the tray, it is provided that it is equipped with a sieve at one corner. It is also possible to have several sieves, one at each corner of the tray. Any remaining printed material in the tray can be poured out through the sieve and simultaneously filtered, thus retaining impurities and allowing the remaining printed material to be recycled.

[0041] The printing material is then preferably discharged into a tray that has the same coding, i.e., is intended for the same printing material. The screen can either be permanently attached to the tray or handled separately. The mesh size of the screen can be adapted to the requirements within a wide range; preferably, the mesh size is less than 500 µm, preferably about 150 µm.

[0042] It is advantageous that the material dispensing device can be opened from the top. This allows the material cartridge to lie flat and be easily replaced. To do this, the cartridge is simply pulled out of its sliding guide along with the outlet valve unit, and the outlet valve unit is screwed onto the new cartridge. Due to the mechanical lock, the material dispensing device can only be closed when the cartridge is lying flat. The tray can also be replaced if necessary; for this purpose, a snap-fit ​​connection is provided, which can be easily overcome to replace the tray.

[0043] Instead of the preferred simple valve, it is possible to implement multiple valves and corresponding valve mounts if required.

[0044] Further advantages, details and features will become apparent from the following description of several exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing.

[0045] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a part of a material supply device according to the invention in one embodiment, namely the material cartridge, the receiving frame and the tray, in one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 the embodiment according to Fig. 1 , in section and in another position of the material cartridge; Fig. 3 a sectional view according to Fig. 2 , however, in the horizontal position of the material cartridge; Fig. 4 a perspective view according to Fig. 1 , with the material cartridge removed; Fig. 5 the embodiment according to Fig. 4 , where part of the material cartridge is visible; Fig. 6 a schematic perspective sectional view through a further embodiment of a material supply device according to the invention; and Fig. 7 the material supply device according to the invention in a further embodiment, in exploded view.

[0046] Out of Fig. 1 A schematic perspective view of a material supply device 10 according to the invention as part of a stereolithography device is shown. The material supply device 10 has a material cartridge 12 and a tray 14 below it. The tray 14 is intended, in a conventional manner, for holding printing material and has a transparent base on which a transparent film rests.

[0047] As is typical with a stereolithography machine, the printing material is exposed layer by layer from below. The so-called build platform (not shown here) is raised step by step, for example, with a resolution of 0.05 mm, to bring the object to be created into the desired shape. The material cartridge has a bottle 17 that is essentially rectangular with rounded corners 18.

[0048] Its dimensions are selected so that it fits horizontally into a mounting frame 22, which is attached above the tub 14 and has essentially the same flat, rectangular cuboid shape, also with rounded corners. The material cartridge 12 also has a mounting valve unit 20.

[0049] The receiving valve unit 20 has a joint 24 about which it can pivot between a swiveling part 26 and a fixed part 28. The swiveling part 26 is connected to the bottle 17 in a sealed manner.

[0050] In contrast, the fixed part 28 is inserted into the mounting frame 22 in such a way that no contamination by printing material can occur or enter areas where it is undesirable.

[0051] Out of Fig. 2 Another embodiment of the material supply device 10 according to the invention is shown. The embodiment according to Fig. 2 differs only in details from the one according to Fig. 1 As from Fig. 2 As can be seen, the material cartridge 12 has a valve 100 next to the bottle 17, the receiving valve unit 20, which is open in the position of the material cartridge 12 shown.

[0052] The bottle 17 has a screw connection 30, which is screwed into the swivel part 26 of the receiving valve unit 20 and seals against a sealing surface 32. As shown from Fig. 2 As can be seen, the swiveling part 26 partially encompasses the fixed part 28.

[0053] Both parts each have an opening 36 and 38. When these are aligned, as shown from Fig. 2 As can be seen, the valve 100 is open, and printing material can flow out of the bottle 17. The fixed part 28 has a specially shaped outlet 40. This ends at the bottom with a downward-facing annular surface 42, which accordingly extends horizontally.

[0054] The outlet 40 and the annular surface 42 extend into the tank 14. The printing material 16 flowing out of the bottle 17 by gravity can only flow out as far as the inflow of air is possible. The flat annular surface 42 provides self-leveling. Only when the liquid level in the tank 14 has dropped does air pass through the annular surface 42 into the outlet 40 and can thus rise into the bottle 17.

[0055] As long as the liquid level of the pressure material is at or above the level of the ring surface 42, it seals against the ring surface 42, preventing air from entering bottle 17 and thus preventing pressure material from escaping bottle 17. This principle can also be described as the cattle trough principle.

[0056] In Fig. 2 A guide element 44 is also shown. The guide element 44 is connected to the swivel part 30 and is horizontal in the upright position of the bottle 17.

[0057] The receiving frame 22 has a sliding guide, not shown here, which extends laterally, i.e., in the illustration according to Fig. 2 The guide extends in front of the drawing plane and accommodates the guide element 44. The sliding guide allows pivoting of the guide element 44 in its lower section, but is narrower at the top. Accordingly, the guide element 44 can be positioned as follows. Fig. 2 do not guide through the sliding guide, so that the removal of the material cartridge 16 in its upright position is blocked.

[0058] As from Fig. 3 As can be seen, the material cartridge 12 can be pivoted around the joint 28 from the upright position according to Fig. 2 into the lying position according to Fig. 3 . In this position, the guide element 44 extends vertically and fits through the guide rail, so that the material cartridge 12 can be removed.

[0059] Accordingly, bottle 17 can be positioned as follows Fig. 3 Remove and, after loosening the screw connection at screw connection 30, replace with a new bottle 17.

[0060] In the position according to Fig. 3 Furthermore, opening 36 is offset relative to opening 38. This results in valve 100 being in the position according to Fig. 3 is closed, so that the pressure material contained in bottle 17 cannot flow out of outlet 40.

[0061] As from Fig. 3 As can be seen, the mounting frame 22 has a cover 50. The cover 50 holds the bottle 17 in a light-tight manner and can be removed if necessary to allow for bottle changes.

[0062] Out of Fig. 3 Furthermore, it can be seen that the mounting frame 22 completely covers the tray 14 from above. Any printed material located there is therefore already protected from light ingress by the mounting frame 22.

[0063] Out of Fig. 4 A perspective view of the receiving frame 22 and the tub 14 is shown in part. Only a portion of the outlet valve unit 20 of the material cartridge 12 is visible, namely the valve 100 with the opening 38 and the fixed part 28. As can be seen, the outlet 40 extends laterally beside and below the joint 24.

[0064] As from Fig. 5 As can be seen, the swivel part 26 engages the fixed part 28 at the joint 24. As also shown Fig. 5 As can be seen, the swivel part 26 has an internal thread 52 which corresponds to the screw connection 30 of the Fig. 5 The swivel part 26 also has a support frame 54, which serves to improve the lateral and vertical support of the bottle 17.

[0065] Fig. 6 Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of the material supply device according to the invention. Here, as in the other figures, the same reference numerals indicate identical or similar parts. It can be seen that the outlet 40 projects downwards into the tray 14 and ends with the flat surface 52 at approximately half the height of the tray 14.

[0066] According to Fig. 6 Bottle 17 is positioned horizontally. In this position, valve 100 is closed. The Fig. 6 The schematically depicted printing material 16 in bottle 17 cannot flow out of the bottle. The bottle can be changed in this position.

[0067] Out of Figur 7It is clear how the individual parts of the material supply device 10 are associated with one another in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the cover 50 is a type of lid that closes the receiving frame 22 flat at the top. The receiving frame 22 accommodates the material cartridge 12, which consists of the bottle 17 and the outlet valve unit 20.

[0068] The valve 100 in the outlet valve unit 20 is closed. The outlet 40 of the outlet valve unit 20 projects downwards. This outlet can be inserted into the mounting frame 22 via a sliding guide 58 (shown only schematically). The mounting frame 22 fits onto the tray 14 and can be locked there. For this purpose, a locking pin 60 is provided, which engages in a locking recess 62 when the mounting frame 20 is placed on the tray 14. The tray 62 is fitted at the bottom with a transparent film 64, which rests on a glass plate 66 during operation.

[0069] According to a first aspect, a stereolithography machine material supply device for printing material 16 to be cured, in particular a photopolymer, is characterized in that the material supply device 10 receives a material cartridge 12 which in turn receives the printing material 16 and surrounds it on all sides, that the material cartridge 12 has an outlet valve unit 20 through which the printing material 16 can be dispensed and which is at least partially received in the material supply device 10 and is at least partially supported on or in it or sealed against it, and that the outlet valve unit 20 has a valve 100 which opens and closes depending on the pivot position of the material supply device 10 and the stereolithography machine.

[0070] In an advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that the valve 100 is open when the material cartridge 12 is located above the outlet valve unit 20, and the material cartridge 12 can be pivoted laterally downwards.

[0071] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that the valve 100 is open in an upright position of the material cartridge 12 and closed in a horizontal position.

[0072] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that the valve 100 has a joint with a pivot angle of at least 70 degrees, in particular 90 degrees.

[0073] The material supply device is characterized in that the part of the valve unit connected to the outlet of the material cartridge can be pivoted together with the material cartridge 12 and this movement closes the valve 100.

[0074] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that, in the upright position, the material cartridge 12 is supported upside down and the valve 100 is open.

[0075] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that the material cartridge 12 with the outlet valve unit 20 can be removed via a sliding guide 58 and, in particular, that in the upright position of the material cartridge 12 the sliding guide 58 is locked and closing of the material supply device is only possible in the lying state of the material cartridge due to the mechanical lock.

[0076] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that the material supply device with the material cartridge 12 inserted is completely closed and sealed.

[0077] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that the outlet 20 projects into a trough 14 with liquid printing material 16 and is flush with the liquid level to achieve self-leveling.

[0078] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that the insertion and removal of the material cartridge 12 with the outlet valve unit 20 into and from a frame 22 of the material supply device 10 is blocked in the open position of the valve 100.

[0079] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that the material cartridge 12 and / or the tray 14 is designed as a disposable part and a receiving frame of the material supply device 10 is designed as a reusable part, wherein all parts are light-tight.

[0080] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that a 1-to-1 assignment between the material cartridge 12 and the tray 14 is realized via a corresponding coding.

[0081] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that one or more trays 14 are provided, which can be used according to the user's choice, wherein the coding on the tray 14 matches the coding on the material cartridge 12 and different codings do not match each other.

[0082] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that the fill level can be regulated based on the output signal of a sensor which detects the height of the fill level.

[0083] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that a transparent support window is provided, the top of which can be used as a reference height.

[0084] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that the glass plate serves as a base for a film 64, which is provided at the bottom of the tub 14 and stretched over the glass plate 66.

[0085] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that the top surface of the glass plate 66 and the thickness of the film 64 are the reference height during the build or slicing process in the context of the stereolithography process.

[0086] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that when the material supply device is open from above and the material cartridge 12 is exposed, the material cartridge 12 can be replaced in the horizontal state by being able to be pulled out of the sliding guide with the outlet valve unit.

[0087] In a further advantageous embodiment, the material supply device is characterized in that the outlet ends exactly horizontally, and the stereolithography device is positioned exactly horizontally.

[0088] According to a second aspect, a stereolithography device with a material supply device according to one of the preceding embodiments is characterized in that a material supply device 10 of the device receives a material cartridge 12, which in turn receives and surrounds the printing material 16 on all sides, that an outlet valve unit 20 is provided through which the printing material 16 can be discharged and which is at least partially received in the material supply device 10 and is at least partially supported on or in it or sealed against it, and that the outlet valve unit 20 has a valve 100 which opens and closes depending on the pivot position of the material supply device 10 and the stereolithography device.

Claims

1. A stereolithography apparatus material provision device for print material (16) to be cured, wherein the material provision device (10) receives a material cartridge (12) which receives the print material (16), wherein the material cartridge (12) comprises an outlet valve unit (20) via which the print material (16) may be output, and wherein the material cartridge (12) is received at least partially in the material provision device (10) and is supported at least partially thereon or therein, characterized in that the part of the valve unit connected to the outlet of the material cartridge (12) can be swiveled along with the material cartridge (12) and that this movement closes the valve (100).

2. The material provision device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the material cartridge (12) comprises a valve (100) which is open when the material cartridge (12) is positioned above the outlet valve unit (20), and the material cartridge (12) can be swiveled laterally to the bottom.

3. The material provision device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the valve (100) is open in a vertical position of the material cartridge (12) and closed in a horizontal position.

4. The material provision device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the vertical position the material cartridge (12) is supported upside down and the valve (100) is open.

5. The material provision device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material cartridge (12) along with the outlet valve unit (20) is removable via a sliding guide (58) and in particular that in the vertical position of the material cartridge (12) the sliding guide (58) is blocked and closing of the material provision device is possible only in the horizontal state of the material cartridge because of the mechanical lock.

6. The material provision device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material provision device is completely closed and sealed when the material cartridge (12) is inserted.

7. The material provision device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that insertion and removal of the material cartridge (12) together with the outlet valve unit (20) into and out of a frame (22) of the material provision device (10) is blocked in the open position of the valve (100).

8. The material provision device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material cartridge (12) and / or the trough (14) is configured as a disposable part and a mounting frame of the material provision device (10) is configured as a reusable part, wherein all parts are light-proof.

9. The material provision device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling level is controllable based on the output signal of a sensor which detects the height of the filling level.

10. The material provision device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transparent support window is provided whose upper side is usable as a reference height.

11. The material provision device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the glass plate serves as a base for a film (64) which is provided at the bottom of the trough (14) and is stretched across the glass plate (66).

12. The material provision device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the upper side of the glass plate (66) and the thickness of the film (64) are the reference height when constructing or slicing within the context of the stereolithography process.

13. The material provision device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the material provision device is opened from above and the material cartridge (12) is exposed, the material cartridge (12) is exchangeable in the horizontal state by being pulled out of the sliding guide along with the outlet valve unit.

14. The stereolithography apparatus with material provision device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a material provision device (10) of the apparatus receives a material cartridge (12) which receives the print material (16), and wherein an outlet valve unit (20) is provided via which the print material (16) may be output and which is received at least partially in the material provision device (10) and which is supported at least partially thereon or therein, and wherein the part of the valve unit connected to the outlet of the material cartridge (12) can be swiveled along with the material cartridge (12) and that this movement closes the valve (100).