EXPOSURE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING EXPOSURE OBJECT

An exposure apparatus includes an optical system unit, a modeling unit, and a separation member. The optical system unit includes an exit region from which light is emitted. The modeling unit includes a modeling region to which photosensitive material is supplied, the photosensitive material being sensitive to the light emitted from the exit region. The separation member is translucent, and is arranged at least between the exit region of the optical system unit and the modeling region. This makes it possible to suppress a deterioration in a performance of an optical system that is caused due to the occurrence of a volatile constituent of photosensitive material.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to an exposure apparatus including, for example, a stereolithography apparatus, and a method for producing an exposure object, the method being applied to the exposure apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

The apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object that is disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes an exposure system with an illumination source, a vat for containing light-sensitive material that is arranged under the exposure system, and a building plate that is vertically movable in the vat by means of an elevator and on which a three-dimensional object is built (modeled). For example, an illumination source that emits light of any wavelength band from ultraviolet to infrared is used as the illumination source of the exposure system. The exposure system causes light from the illumination source to enter an input optics including a plurality of micro-lenses through light modulators, causes the plurality of micro-lenses to collect the light, and causes the light to be irradiated onto an illumination area on the surface of a light-sensitive material (for example, refer to paragraphs [0018] and [0093] to of the specification, and FIGS. 1 and 2 in Patent Literature 1).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

When photosensitive material is irradiated with light, this may result in a deterioration in a performance of an optical system, such as a reduction in transmittance of an optical member such as a lens, the reduction being caused by a volatile constituent of, for example, a carbon compound being precipitated on the surface of the optical member due to the photosensitive material being photolyzed.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an exposure apparatus that can suppress a deterioration in a performance of an optical system that is caused due to the occurrence of a volatile constituent of photosensitive material, and a method for producing an exposure object.

Solution to Problem

In order to achieve the object described above, an exposure apparatus according to an embodiment includes an optical system unit, a modeling unit, and a separation member.

The optical system unit includes an exit region from which light is emitted.

The modeling unit includes a modeling region to which photosensitive material is supplied, the photosensitive material being sensitive to the light emitted from the exit region.

The separation member is translucent, and is arranged at least between the exit region of the optical system unit and the modeling region.

The separation member prevents a volatile constituent of photosensitive material from adhering to the exit region for light in the optical system unit. Thus, in this modeling apparatus, it is possible to suppress a deterioration in a performance of an optical member including the exit region, and thus to suppress a deterioration in a performance of the optical system unit.

The separation member may have a plate shape.

The separation member may be removable.

This makes it easy to perform tasks regarding maintenance of the separation plate.

The separation member may be a flexible film.

This makes it possible to throw away the film after one use, and there is no need for maintenance of the film, such as cleaning.

The exposure apparatus may further include a film supplying mechanism that is configured to feed and wind the film.

Accordingly, the film supplying mechanism can supply a new film surface as the separation member at a specified timing.

The exposure apparatus may further include a cover that includes an inner region, and covers the optical system unit such that the optical system unit is arranged in the inner region. The separation member is arranged to separate the inner region from the modeling region.

As described above, the separation member may be configured to totally separate the inner region covered with the cover from the modeling region.

The optical system unit includes a movable scanning optical head that includes the exit region.

In the case of a movable scanning optical head, the distance from an exit region to the surface of a liquid of photosensitive material for performing modeling is very short, and thus a volatile constituent of the photosensitive material easily adheres to the exit region. Therefore, the provision of a separation member is highly advantageous in suppressing such adherence.

The separation member may be configured to move integrally with the optical head.

This makes it possible to make the separation member smaller.

The separation member may be a flexible film. The exposure apparatus may further include a film supplying mechanism that is configured to feed and wind the film, and a support member that integrally supports the optical head and the film supplying mechanism.

The optical head may be a line head.

The optical system unit may include a movable scanning optical head that includes a laser scanning unit, a digital micromirror device, or the exit region.

The exposure apparatus may further include at least one of a gas supplying section that supplies gas to the modeling region, or a gas exhausting section that exhausts gas out of the modeling region.

The supply and/or the exhausting of gas makes it possible to remove a volatile constituent of photosensitive material in the modeling region or to reduce the concentration of the volatile constituent. For example, it is possible to decrease the frequency of replacement of the separation member and the frequency of cleaning of the separation member by purging, using gas, the atmosphere in the modeling region including a volatile constituent.

A method for producing an exposure object according to an embodiment is a method for producing an exposure object that is performed by an exposure apparatus, the exposure apparatus including an optical system unit that includes an exit region from which light is emitted, and a modeling unit that includes a modeling region to which photosensitive material is supplied, the photosensitive material being sensitive to the light emitted from the exit region.

The method includes irradiating, by the optical system unit, light onto the photosensitive material through a translucent separation member that is arranged between the exit region and the modeling region.

The photosensitive material is hardened by the irradiation of the light being performed.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, the present technology makes it possible to suppress a deterioration in a performance of an optical system that is caused due to the occurrence of a volatile constituent of photosensitive material.

Note that the effect described here is not necessarily limitative and may be any effect described in the present disclosure.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments according to the present technology will now be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. First Embodiment

FIG. 1Ais a schematic cross-sectional front view of a three-dimensional modeling apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a modeling apparatus) that is an exposure apparatus according to a first embodiment.FIG. 1Bis a cross-sectional side view of the modeling apparatus.

A modeling apparatus100A includes an optical system unit40and a modeling unit20that is arranged under the optical system unit40. The optical system unit40includes an exit lens45that serves as an exit region for light. The modeling unit20includes a modeling region10to which photosensitive material15is supplied, the photosensitive material15being sensitive to light emitted from the optical system unit40.

Further, the modeling apparatus100A includes a separation plate (plate shape)50that is a translucent separation member that is arranged between the exit lens45and the modeling region10.

The modeling unit20includes a material tank11that is configured to contain the photosensitive material15, and a modeling stage13that is arranged within the material tank11. Specifically, the modeling region10described above refers to a region that is situated within the material tank11and above the modeling stage13. The modeling stage13can be moved by a raising-and-lowering mechanism (not illustrated) in an up-and-down direction (a z direction) in the material tank11. For example, an anti-vibration base12is arranged under the material tank11. The anti-vibration base12includes, for example, a mechanism made of rubber or others.

An opening17is provided in an upper portion of the material tank11, in which light (here, laser light) emitted from the exit lens45passes through the opening17.

The optical system unit40is covered with a cover47to be arranged in an inner region48of the cover47. The cover47may be omitted.

The optical system unit40includes, for example, a laser scanning unit (LSU). As an LSU, the optical system unit40includes a light source41, scanning mirrors43, and the exit lens45described above. The two scanning mirrors43are, for example, galvanometer mirrors that are respectively configured to scan laser light in the horizontal plane, that is, in an x direction and a y direction, the laser light being emitted by the light source41. For example, an fθ lens is used as the exit lens45.

For example, light of which a peak wavelength is in the infrared and ultraviolet wavelength regions, is used as the laser light emitted by the light source41. The laser light is typically light from blue to violet, or ultraviolet light. For example, photocurable resin is used as the photosensitive material.

The photosensitive material is liquid at normal temperature. The photosensitive material on the modeling stage13is hardened to form a one-layer modeling object (exposure object) by the scanning mirrors43scanning laser light in the horizontal plane. The modeling stage13is caused to goes down by the raising-and-lowering mechanism (not illustrated) every time a one-layer modeling object is formed, and this results in forming a three-dimensional modeling object Z. The modeling object is not necessarily limited to being formed of a plurality of layers, but may be a one-layer modeling object such as a film70.

A support mechanism that supports the separation plate50is provided over the material tank11. The support mechanism includes beams34each formed to be long, for example, in the x direction, and clamps35provided to the beams34. For example, two beams34are provided to extend in the x direction and are arranged in the y direction. The separation plate50is sandwiched to be supported by the beams34such that the separation plate50is arranged between the exit lens45and a surface15aof a liquid of the photosensitive material15, and is fixed with the clamps35.

A known structure can be adopted with respect to the clamp35, and, for example, the clamp35has a structure of holding down the separation plate50using an elastic force of, for example, a spring or rubber. Alternatively, instead of, or in addition to this structure, the clamp35may have a structure of fixation using, for example, a screw.

As described above, the separation plate50has a structure of being removable from the support mechanism. In other words, a user can loosen the fixation of the clamps35and remove the separation plate50from the support mechanism by sliding and moving the separation plate50in the x direction and by picking the separation plate50out of the clamps35. After the removal, maintenance of the separation plate50, such as cleaning, is performed.

The separation plate50is made of material through which light from the light source41is transmitted. The material is glass or translucent resin. For example, quartz or sapphire is used as the glass. For example, acrylic or polycarbonate is used as the resin.

A member having a thickness that makes it possible to ensure a relatively high stiffness is used for the separation plate50. However, a member may be used that has a thickness such that the member is elastically deformable but does not cause bending under its own weight.

Note that the exit lens45is supported by a member46(refer toFIG. 1B) such as a frame or a plate above the modeling unit20. The member46such as the frame or the plate is provided, for example, on the beams34or between the two beams34.

During modeling processing, a volatile constituent occurs on the surface15aof a liquid of the photosensitive material15in the modeling region10. InFIGS. 1A and 1B, the volatile constituent is represented by dots. If the separation plate50is not provided, there will be a decrease in a performance of the exit lens45due to the volatile constituent adhering to the exit lens45, and this will result in being unable to maintain a desired light transmittance and a desired light collecting accuracy. Consequently, there may be a reduction in modeling accuracy in a modeling object Z.

In particular, when the photosensitive material is an ultraviolet-light curable resin, the volatile constituent of the photosensitive material often includes carbon. If a volatile constituent including carbon adheres to an optical member such as a lens, it will be difficult to remove it, and it will take much effort and it will cost a lot to perform the removal. Further, such a removal task will greatly damage the optical member.

In particular, for the exit lens45, the fθ lens is expensive, and thus there will be an increase in costs for producing a modeling object if the fθ lens is thrown away after one use.

The separation plate50can prevent a volatile constituent of photosensitive material from adhering to the exit lens45. Thus, in the modeling apparatus100A, it is possible to suppress a deterioration in a performance of the exit lens45including the exit region, and thus to suppress a deterioration in a performance of the optical system unit40. Consequently, the modeling apparatus100A can maintain the high modeling accuracy for a long time. Further, it is possible to extend the life of an optical member such as the exit lens45.

Further, since the separation plate50is removable, it is easy to perform tasks regarding maintenance of the separation plate50, such as cleaning.

In the present embodiment, the separation plate50is configured to totally separate the inner region48of the cover47from the modeling region10, where the optical system unit40is arranged in the inner region48. This makes it possible to prevent a volatile constituent of photosensitive material from penetrating into the inner region48in which the optical system unit40is arranged.

2. Second Embodiment

Next, a modeling apparatus according to a second embodiment is described. In the following descriptions, regarding, for example, the members and the functions included in the modeling apparatus100A according to the first embodiment described above, a substantially similar component is denoted by the same reference symbol, and a description thereof is simplified or omitted. Descriptions are made focused on a point of difference.

FIGS. 2A and 2Bare a schematic cross-sectional front view of a modeling apparatus100B according to the second embodiment, and a schematic cross-sectional side view of the modeling apparatus100B, respectively. The modeling apparatus100B is different from the modeling apparatus100A in including a digital micromirror device (DMD)60that is an optical system unit of the modeling apparatus100B. The DMD60includes a two-dimensional array of a large number of micromirrors off which light from a light source is reflected, and is configured to generate image light by individually controlling the orientations of the micromirrors.

The DMD60includes an exit region65for light. The exit region65may include an optical member such as a lens (not illustrated). The modeling apparatus100B includes the translucent separation plate50arranged between the exit region65of the DMD60and the modeling region10of the modeling unit20. The separation plate50is removable.

The modeling apparatus100B provides an effect similar to that provided by the modeling apparatus100A according to the first embodiment described above.

FIG. 3Ais a schematic cross-sectional front view of a modeling apparatus according to a third embodiment, andFIG. 3Bis a cross-sectional side view of the modeling apparatus.FIG. 4is a plan view of the modeling apparatus.

An optical system unit of this modeling apparatus100C includes a movable scanning optical head80. The optical head80is typically a line head. The optical head80is configured to emit linear light in a longitudinal direction of the optical head80that is the y direction.

The modeling apparatus100C includes a movement mechanism88that moves the optical head80in the x direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the optical head80. In other words, the movement mechanism88causes the optical head80to perform scanning over the modeling region10in the x direction. The movement mechanism88is arranged, for example, above the optical head80. The movement mechanism88may be a known mechanism such as a ball screw mechanism or a linear motor mechanism. Note that a cover that covers the optical system unit40is not illustrated, but a cover may also be provided. The movement mechanism88is not illustrated inFIG. 4.

The optical head80that is a line head includes a line light source (not illustrated) that is formed to be long in the longitudinal direction of the head (the y direction). The line light source is formed by, for example, a plurality of point light sources being arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction of the head. A light emitting diode (LED) or a laser diode (LD) is used as the point light source. As described above, the line light source is typically formed of point light sources that are arranged in a single line, but the line light source may be formed of point light sources that are arranged in multiple lines. In the case of being arranged in multiple lines, the point light sources may be provided in, for example, a staggered arrangement.

The optical head80includes an exit region for light from the line light source described above. The exit region includes, for example, a condenser lens (not illustrated).

The translucent separation plate50is arranged between an exit region85of the optical head80and the modeling region10of the modeling unit20. The separation plate50is removable. For example, the separation plate50is provided by being sandwiched by the two beams34described above that serve as a support mechanism and being fixed with the clamps35. Note that the clamps35are not illustrated inFIG. 3B.

The modeling apparatus100C provides an effect similar to those provided by the modeling apparatus100A according to the first embodiment and the modeling apparatus100B according to the second embodiment described above. Further, in particular, the working distance (WD) of the movable scanning optical head80is very small, compared with those of the LSU and the DMD60described above. Here, the WD refers to a distance from the exit region85for light to the surface of a liquid of photosensitive material in the modeling region10. The WDs of the LSU and the DMD60are several tens of centimeters, whereas the WD of the optical head80is a few millimeters to a few centimeters. Thus, when an optical system unit including the optical head80is adopted, a volatile constituent of photosensitive material easily adheres to the optical head80. However, the provision of the separation plate50makes it possible to prevent such adherence.

FIG. 5Ais a schematic cross-sectional front view of a modeling apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.FIG. 5Bis a cross-sectional side view of the modeling apparatus. This modeling apparatus200A is the modeling apparatus100A according to the first embodiment described above including a flexible translucent film70as a separation member instead of the separation plate50.

The modeling apparatus200A further includes a film supplying mechanism75that is configured to feed and wind the film70. The film supplying mechanism75includes, for example, a pair of reels76and a plurality of (for example, two) tensioners71. The paired reels76are respectively provided, at two ends in the x direction, in a region situated between the optical system unit40and the modeling unit20. One of the reels is a feeding reel, and the other reel is a winding reel.

The tensioners71are respectively arranged at positions that cause tension to be applied to the film70such that a portion of the film70is not bent, the portion being a portion through which light from the optical system unit40including an LSU passes. Three or more tensioners71may be provided.

For example, epoxy resin, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used as material for the film70.

For example, the film supplying mechanism75supplies the film70such that a new surface of the film70is exposed (such that a new exposure surface70ais arranged between the exit region and the modeling region10) every time a single modeling object Z is formed. The exposure surface70ais a surface of the film70that is situated in a range through which light emitted from the exit lens45passes, and is a surface of the film70that faces the opening17in the present embodiment.

Regarding how frequently the film70is supplied, the film70is not limited to being supplied every time a single modeling object is formed, but the film70may be supplied more frequently or less frequently than every formation of a single modeling object. The modeling apparatus200A may include a program that can change, depending on the modeling accuracy desired by a user, how frequently the film70is supplied.

The film supplying mechanism75may be an electrically operated mechanism or a manually operated mechanism. When the film supplying mechanism75is an electrically operated mechanism, it is possible to start supplying the film70using the film supplying mechanism75by a user operating the modeling apparatus200A or a computer that controls the modeling apparatus200A. Alternatively, when the film supplying mechanism75is an electrically operated mechanism, a sensor (such as an optical sensor) or a computer may monitor the timing of supplying the film70, and the modeling apparatus200A may automatically start supplying the film70, which will be described later.

In the present embodiment, the film70can be thrown away after one use since the film70is used as a separation member. Thus, there is no need for maintenance of the film70, such as cleaning.

In the present embodiment, the frequency of supply of a new exposure surface70aof the film70can be made higher, compared to the frequency of maintenance and the frequency of replacement of the separation plate50described above. Thus, it is possible to maintain, for a long time, a state in which the separation member is soiled as lightly as possible.

FIG. 6is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a modeling apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. A modeling apparatus200B according to the present embodiment is the modeling apparatus100B according to the second embodiment described above in which the separation plate50has been replaced with the film70, as in the case of the fourth embodiment described above.

This modeling apparatus200B provides an effect similar to that provided by the modeling apparatus200A according to the fourth embodiment described above.

FIG. 7is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a modeling apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.FIG. 8Ais a schematic cross-sectional side view of a modeling apparatus200C illustrated inFIG. 7, andFIG. 8Bis a plan view of the modeling apparatus200C. The modeling apparatus200C is the modeling apparatus100C according to the third embodiment described above in which the separation plate50has been replaced with the film70, as in the case of the fourth and fifth embodiments described above.

This modeling apparatus200C provides, at the same time, an effect provided by the movable scanning optical head80in the modeling apparatus100C according to the third embodiment and an effect provided by the film70in the modeling apparatus200A according to the fourth embodiment and in the modeling apparatus200B according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view primarily illustrating an optical system unit and a film supplying mechanism in a modeling apparatus according to a seventh embodiment. The present embodiment is a modification of the sixth embodiment.

An optical system unit120includes the movable scanning optical head80. An optical head similar to those used in the third and sixth embodiments is used as the optical head80, and, inFIG. 9, the optical head80has a shape that is long in a direction vertical to the surface of the sheet of the figure.

This modeling apparatus includes a cartridge110that is formed to accommodate the optical head80. The cartridge110serves as a support member that integrally supports the optical head80and a film supplying mechanism125. For example, the optical head80is fixed within the cartridge110. The film supplying mechanism125includes the translucent film70, a pair of reels76rotatably provided to feed and wind the film70, and a plurality of tensioners71.

An opening115through which light86from the optical head80passes is formed in a portion of the cartridge110that faces the exit region85for the light86. The arrangement of the tensioners71and the width of the film70(the length of the film70in the direction vertical to the surface of the sheet of the figure) are designed such that the exposure surface70aof the film70has an area not less than the area of the opening115, the exposure surface70aof the film70being formed due to tension being applied to the film70by the tensioners71.

The cartridge110has an approximate rectangular-parallelepiped shape, but the cartridge110may have any shape as long as the cartridge110can accommodate the optical head80. The cartridge110is arranged on a modeling unit (not illustrated) such that the exposure surface70aof the film70is arranged between the exit region85for the light86from the optical head80and a modeling region of the modeling unit.

Note that the cartridge110may include, for example, a lid (not illustrated) that can be opened and closed, and may be configured such that the optical head80is removable from the cartridge110with the lid being opened.

The optical head80and the film70are configured to move in an integrated manner. Specifically, the movement mechanism88(not illustrated) for causing the optical head80to perform scanning is configured to move the entirety of the cartridge110. It is sufficient if the movement mechanism88has the configuration described in the third and sixth embodiments described above.

The present embodiment provides a structure in which the cartridge110integrally supports the optical head80and the film supplying mechanism125, and this makes it possible to make the separation member smaller, that is, to make the area of an exposure surface of the film70smaller in this case.

FIG. 10is a cross-sectional view primarily illustrating an optical system unit and a separation plate in a modeling apparatus according to an eighth embodiment. An optical system unit140includes the movable scanning optical head80. InFIG. 10, the optical head80has a shape that is long in a direction vertical to the surface of the sheet of the figure.

This modeling apparatus includes a case130that accommodates the optical head80. The case130has an approximate rectangular-parallelepiped shape, but the case130may have any shape as long as the case130can accommodate the optical head80. The case130includes an opening131, and the separation plate50is mounted on the case130to cover the opening131. The optical head80is arranged to be fixed within the case130such that the exit region85for the light86and the separation plate50face each other.

As in the case of the seventh embodiment described above, the movement mechanism88is configured to cause the case130to perform scanning such that the case130and the optical head80move in an integrated manner. It is possible to perform maintenance of the separation plate50, such as cleaning, by the optical head80being removable from the case130as in the case of the seventh embodiment, or by the separation plate50being removable from the case130.

As in the case of the seventh embodiment, the present embodiment makes it possible to make the separation plate50smaller and to make maintenance of the separation plate50, such as cleaning, easy.

The present technology is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may achieve other various embodiments.

The modeling apparatuses according to the respective embodiments described above may each further include at least a gas supplying section that supplies gas to the modeling region10, and/or at least a gas exhausting section that exhausts gas (such as gas including a volatile constituent) out of the modeling region10. The supply and/or the exhausting of gas makes it possible to remove a volatile constituent of photosensitive material in the modeling region10or to reduce the concentration of the volatile constituent. For example, air is used as the gas, but inert gas may be used. Gas of, for example, nitrogen or argon is used as the inert gas. For example, in the modeling apparatuses, it is possible to decrease the frequency of replacement of the separation member and the frequency of cleaning of the separation member by purging, using gas supplied from the gas supplying section, the atmosphere in the modeling region10including a volatile constituent. Such a gas supplying section and/or such a gas exhausting section may be provided not only in the modeling region10but also in a region in which an optical system unit is arranged (such as a region within a cover that covers the optical system unit). Such a gas supplying section and/or such a gas exhausting section may be configured to purge the atmosphere surrounding the optical system unit.

The gas supplying section described above may be configured to form a film gas blow in the modeling region10. For example, the gas supplying section includes a nozzle that is long in a certain direction and is used to form such a film gas blow. It is sufficient if the nozzle is configured to eject gas to form a gas film (a gas curtain) between an exit region for light and the surface of a liquid of photosensitive material in the x-y horizontal plane in the respective figures of the embodiments described above.

The modeling apparatuses according to the respective embodiments described above may each further include a sensor that monitors a degree of light transmission of a separation member (in particular, the separation plate50). For example, a reflective or transmissive optical sensor can be used as the sensor. For example, the timing at which a value detected by the optical sensor exceeds a threshold can be set to be a timing of performing maintenance on a separation member or of supplying the separation member (supplying the film70). The threshold may be set in two or more stages.

Alternatively, the configuration is not limited to using a sensor. For example, a computer can report a timing of performing maintenance on a separation member or of supplying the film70, using, for example, the number of modeling processing or the time of irradiation of light that is performed by an optical system unit.

For example, in the first and fourth embodiments in which an LSU is used, the separation plate may be shifted by each specific region so that a new region is exposed, as in the case of the film70. In this case, it is favorable that the area S (refer toFIG. 1A) of the opening17of the optical system unit40be smaller than the area of the modeling region10as viewed from above. Further, in this case, it is necessary that the area of the separation member be set to be larger than the area S of the opening17and to be smaller than the area of the modeling region10as viewed from above.

The apparatuses according to the respective embodiments described above are each applied to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus, but the apparatuses according to the respective embodiments described above can also be applied to, for example, a maskless exposure apparatus. Alternatively, the present technology is not necessarily limited to being applied to a three-dimensional modeling apparatus for a modeling object that is a hardened object having a plurality of layers, and can also be applied to a modeling apparatus that forms a film modeling object that is a hardened object having a single layer.

The modeling apparatuses according to the respective embodiments described above each have a configuration in which the exit region for light included in the optical system unit is arranged above the material tank11(above an upper end of the material tank11). However, a configuration in which the exit region is arranged below the upper end of the material tank11, that is, a configuration in which the exit region is arranged inside the material tank11, also falls within the scope of the present disclosure.

At least two of the features of the embodiments described above can also be combined.

Note that the present technology may also take the following configurations.(1) An exposure apparatus including:

an optical system unit that includes an exit region from which light is emitted;

a modeling unit that includes a modeling region to which photosensitive material is supplied, the photosensitive material being sensitive to the light emitted from the exit region; and

a translucent separation member that is arranged at least between the exit region of the optical system unit and the modeling region.(2) The exposure apparatus according to (1), in which

the separation member has a plate shape.(3) The exposure apparatus according to (2), in which

the separation member is removable.(4) The exposure apparatus according to (1), in which

the separation member is a flexible film.(5) The exposure apparatus according to (4), further including a film supplying mechanism that is configured to feed and wind the film.(6) The exposure apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), further including a cover that includes an inner region, and covers the optical system unit such that the optical system unit is arranged in the inner region, in which

the separation member is arranged to separate the inner region from the modeling region.(7) The exposure apparatus according to (1), in which

the optical system unit includes a movable scanning optical head that includes the exit region.(8) The exposure apparatus according to (7), in which

the separation member is configured to move integrally with the optical head.(9) The exposure apparatus according to (8), in which

the separation member is a flexible film, and

the exposure apparatus further includes:a film supplying mechanism that is configured to feed and wind the film; anda support member that integrally supports the optical head and the film supplying mechanism.(10) The exposure apparatus according to any one of (7) to (9), in which

the optical head is a line head.(11) The exposure apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), in which

the optical system unit includes a movable scanning optical head that includes a laser scanning unit, a digital micromirror device, or the exit region.(12) The exposure apparatus according to any one of (1) to (11), further including at least one of a gas supplying section that supplies gas to the modeling region, or a gas exhausting section that exhausts gas out of the modeling region.(13) A method for producing an exposure object that is performed by an exposure apparatus, the exposure apparatus including an optical system unit that includes an exit region from which light is emitted, and a modeling unit that includes a modeling region to which photosensitive material is supplied, the photosensitive material being sensitive to the light emitted from the exit region, the method including:

irradiating, by the optical system unit, light onto the photosensitive material through a translucent separation member that is arranged between the exit region and the modeling region; and

hardening the photosensitive material by the irradiation of the light being performed.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST