Three-dimensional stereolithography apparatus, three-dimensional stereolithography method, and three-dimensional object

A three-dimensional stereolithography apparatus, comprising:

• a stage;
• a film;
• a support mechanism operable to support the film so that the film is opposed to the stage;
• a pressing mechanism operable to press at least a linear area of the film supported by the support mechanism so that the linear area that is opposed to and closest to the stage is formed in the film, the linear area being formed in a first direction;
• a supply mechanism operable to supply a light-curing material into a slit area formed between the stage and the linear area of the film;
• an irradiation unit operable to irradiate the light-curing material supplied into the slit area by the supply mechanism with laser light through the pressing mechanism and the film;
• a movement mechanism operable (i) to move the stage and the pressing mechanism relatively to the film in a second direction, and (ii) to form one cured layer of the light-curing material, the second direction being different from the first direction;
• and
• a control mechanism operable (i) to control a distance between the stage and the linear area of the film, and (ii) to stack the cured layer of the light-curing material,
• wherein,
• the pressing mechanism is configured to press the film so that a curved area including the linear area is formed in the film,
• the pressing mechanism includes a light-transmissive member having a curved surface corresponding to a shape of the curved area,
• the pressing mechanism includes a support member operable to support the light-transmissive member, and
• the support member includes (i) a curved surface continuous with the curved surface of the light-transmissive member to form the curved area of the film, and (ii) flow path operable to introduce a gas into a gap between the film and the curved surfaces of the light-transmissive member and the support member.