3d-printing device and process for producing an object with use of a 3d-printing device

Abstract

Improved 3D printed articles are produced in a 3D printing apparatus by controlling the apparatus in response to the measurement of the size, geometry, and / or weight of print materials exiting the discharge device of the apparatus.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is the U.S. National Phase of PCT Appln. No. PCT / EP2016 / 059094 filed Apr. 22, 2016 and claims priority to PCT / EP2015 / 080742, filed Dec. 21, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an object using a 3D printing device having at least one printhead having at least one discharge device, wherein the discharge device is set up to place print materials at target positions in order to additively manufacture the object. Further aspects of the invention relate to a 3D printing device configured to conduct the method.2. Description of the Related Art[0003]A multitude of different additive manufacturing methods are known from the prior art for production of prototypes, short runs or individual articles. What is common to these methods, also referred to as 3D printing, is that an a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0137]Preferably, the 3D printing device also comprises a cleaning station which enables the automatic cleaning of the discharge device of the printhead. Owing to the constant determination of the position of the printhead, cleaning can also be undertaken during the production of an object. For this purpose, the printing is interrupted and the printhead is moved to the cleaning station. After conducting the cleaning operation, the printhead is guided precisely to the next position at which a print material is to be placed and the printing operation is continued.

Problems solved by technology

However, the devices known from the prior art have technical detects which affect the quality of the printed parts.

The quality of the objects achievable by the additive methods known from the prior art does not reach the constant quality of comparable objects produced by means of injection molding.

Nor is it possible by the known methods to ensure uniform quality of the end product, as is indispensable for the industrial use of the objects produced.

Troublesome factors are in particular misprints which arise owing to changes in the material discharge from the print nozzle, or misprints having defects such as air bubbles.

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