Method and device for manufacturing a base layer having different degrees of hardness and workpiece having different degrees of hardness

A method for manufacturing areas providing different degrees of hardness in a base layer (3), comprising the following steps:

• step (S40):
• applying a masking on at least a partial area of the surface of the base layer (3), wherein the masking is configured to at least partially absorb electromagnetic radiation;
• step (S50):
• irradiating the base layer (3) and the applied masking with electromagnetic radiation to set different degrees of hardness of the base layer (3),
• wherein a degree hardness gradient in x-direction as a direction in parallel to the surface of the base layer (3) between the highest degree of hardness and the lowest degree of hardness is set within a length whose extent corresponds to less than 1 mm;
• wherein the base layer (3) and the masking are complementary to each other such that at least one of the following conditions is met:
• (a) while performing step (S50), an edge angle (a) between the base layer (3) and the masking is achieved, which is more than 20 degrees;
• and
• (b) while performing step (S50), the height of the masking at the edge of the masking is at least 50% of the height of the masking in the center of the masking, and
• wherein when performing step (S40), at least a portion of the base layer (3) or the entire base layer (3) is:
• liquid, or
• at least not already completely cured.