Additive manufacturing apparatus and additive manufacturing method

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for a manufacturing facility for additive manufacturing of articles, in particular for a manufacturing facility for selective laser melting. The apparatus comprises a process chamber (1) for providing at least one working space in the region of the building site and at least one partition wall (2) dividing the process chamber (1) into at least two sub-chambers (1a, b), at least one of the at least two sub-chambers (1a, b) providing at least one working space. The subchamber has at least one applicator (22, 22a, b) for applying powdered material (7) to the construction site, and at least one optical module (9a, b). At least one air inlet (4a, b) or at least one air outlet (24a, b) is arranged in the at least one partition wall (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a manufacturing system for additive manufacturing of an object, in particular to an apparatus for a manufacturing system for selective laser melting. In addition, an improved additive manufacturing method is proposed.

[0002] The process of additive manufacturing is able to produce objects by building them up layer by layer from powdered material (material powder) by means of optical interaction. The selective laser melting (SLM) process uses in particular metallic material powders, which are preferably remelted layer by layer by means of a focused laser beam to form bonded solidified sections. In this way, machine parts, tools, prostheses, jewelry, etc. can be produced.

[0003] For example, a device for producing shaped bodies according to the principle of selective laser melting is described in DE 10 2019 200 680 A1. The subject matter of this application is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] The layer-by-layer construction of an object in the additive manufacturing process allows for a large geometric freedom in its design. In addition, for additive manufacturing, no product-specific tools are required, which makes it possible to economically manufacture small quantities of parts. Therefore, additive processes are frequently used in the field of rapid prototyping and small series production.

[0005] However, in order to be able to benefit from the advantages of additive processes in the context of series production with high component volumes, it is desirable to increase the productivity of additive manufacturing systems, in particular SLM manufacturing systems.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a device for building up an object of powdered material layer by layer by means of optical interaction (device for additive manufacturing of objects), by means of which the productivity of an additive manufacturing system, in particular an SLM manufacturing system, can be increased and preferably at the same time the manufacturing quality of the object to be manufactured can be improved. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide an improved additive manufacturing process, in particular an SLM manufacturing process, by means of which the productivity of a manufacturing plant can be increased and preferably the quality of the manufactured objects can be improved.

[0007] In order to solve this object, the features of the independent claim are set out. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0008] A device for building up an object of powdered material layer by layer by means of optical interaction, the device comprising a processing chamber for providing at least one working space in the region of at least one building field. The device can in particular be provided for a selective laser melting process. In this case, metallic materials can preferably be used.

[0009] The workspace is in particular the space / volume of the process chamber in which the layer-by-layer building of one or more objects takes place. The building field is preferably understood as the two-dimensional area in the workspace in which the optical interaction for solidifying the powdered material takes place. In selective laser melting, the building field may therefore comprise a two-dimensional area in the workspace in which the focused laser beam impinges on the top layer of the powdered material.

[0010] In addition, the device includes at least one partition wall that divides the processing chamber into at least two subchambers, wherein at least one of the at least two subchambers provides at least one working space. Depending on the size of the processing chamber and the items to be manufactured, the processing chamber can be divided into two subchambers by means of one partition wall, into four subchambers by means of two partition walls, into six subchambers by means of three partition walls, and so on. Each of the subchambers formed in this way can provide at least one working space. Alternatively, only a predetermined number of subchambers formed can provide at least one working space. Preferably, the subchambers with at least one working space may have approximately the same size (volume). However, subchambers with at least one working space of different sizes can also be formed.

[0011] At least one subchamber providing at least one working space preferably has at least one powder coater and at least one optical module. This means that all subchambers formed by a partition wall with at least one working space preferably have at least one powder coater and at least one optical module. In this case, at least one powder coater is used to apply powdered material to the building field of the subchamber. In other words, the powder coater applies material powder layer by layer to the building field provided in at least one working space of the subchamber.

[0012] At least one optical module may be part of an irradiation unit or the irradiation unit itself for spatially selective irradiation of the powdered material provided in the building field. In other words, the optical module selectively irradiates the powdered material provided in the region of the building field of the subchamber after the coater has applied a new layer of powdered material to the building field, depending on the geometrical specifications of the one or more objects to be manufactured. In particular, the optical module may be configured for irradiating the material powder with a focused laser beam in a spatially selective manner, so that the powder is selectively heated to such an extent that it temporarily completely enters the liquid phase and solidifies during the curing process. Preferably, the optical module is arranged above the subchamber and at a distance therefrom.

[0013] Since all subchambers, preferably formed by at least one partition wall and at least one working space, have at least one separate powder coater and at least one separate optical module, different objects / different types of objects can be manufactured from different materials in the respective subchambers. This can increase the flexibility and productivity of the manufacturing system.

[0014] Furthermore, at least one subchamber providing at least one working space comprises at least one gas inlet and at least one gas outlet for supplying and discharging an inert gas into the subchamber. This means that each subchamber used for the additive manufacturing of articles can have a separate inert gas atmosphere with a separate inert gas flow. On the one hand, the inert gas atmosphere can prevent oxidation of the metal material, and on the other hand, the inert gas flow can help to discharge the smoke and melt splashes generated when the optical module irradiates the material from the construction site. For example, argon and / or helium or nitrogen or neon (or other) can be used as inert gas. By dividing the process chamber into separate subchambers by means of separate optical modules and separate inert gas flows, the formation of smoke can be reduced and the discharge of the generated smoke can be improved. This allows constant process conditions to be provided in the subchambers and thus improves the manufacturing quality of the produced articles.

[0015] In order to supply and discharge inert gas to at least one subchamber providing at least one working space, at least one gas inlet or at least one gas outlet is arranged in at least one partition wall. For example, the gas can extract inert gas through the partition wall (upward) and remove the gas through the partition wall. For this purpose, for example, a suitable conduit / pipeline can be arranged in the partition wall, through which the inert gas can be conveyed out of the subchamber by means of one or more suction units. For example, if a processing chamber with two subchambers (where the same inert gas is used) is adopted, the removed inert gas can be supplied to a common filter system for cleaning. In this case, a common conduit / pipeline and a common suction unit passing through the partition wall are also possible.

[0016] However, the use of separate subchambers for the additive manufacturing of articles also allows the use of different inert gases in the separate subchambers. This can further increase the flexibility and quality of the manufacturing process, since the corresponding inert gases can be selected according to different requirements for manufacturing different articles in separate subchambers (e.g. in view of the required process parameters for manufacturing different articles). In this case, the discharge of different inert gases can reach separate filter systems via separate ducts / pipes in the partition wall by means of separate suction units. In particular, the filter system mentioned can be a recirculating air filter system, which includes a suction unit and supplies clean inert gas back to at least one subchamber via at least one air inlet.

[0017] It is also possible that, instead of at least one gas outlet, at least one gas inlet providing at least one subchamber of the at least one working space is arranged / integrated in at least one partition wall. In this case, for example, the inert gas can be conducted from above through the partition wall and laterally from the partition wall into one or more subchambers. The at least one gas inlet can preferably be arranged in the partition wall so that the supplied inert gas can flow evenly over the construction field of the at least one working space.

[0018] By integrating the gas inlet or outlet in the partition wall, a larger area is available for the at least one working space in the subchamber, since no additional elements for supplying or exhausting the inert gas have to be arranged in the subchamber. Thus, the productivity of additive manufacturing can be increased, since a greater number of objects can be manufactured in the subchamber.

[0019] Furthermore, by integrating the gas supply in the partition wall, the subchambers formed by the partition wall can be supplied with inert gas from a central gas inlet, which can be arranged, for example, on both sides of the partition wall. Alternatively, the inert gas can be discharged from several subchambers by means of gas outlets on both sides of the partition wall. This enables a compact construction of the inert gas supply for the individual subchambers of the process chamber, which can reduce flow losses and thus improve the efficiency of the manufacturing system.

[0020] According to an embodiment, at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet may be arranged opposite to each other in at least one subchamber. This means that at least one air inlet or at least one air outlet may be arranged opposite to at least one partition wall. If at least one air outlet is arranged in at least one partition wall, the air inlet of the subchamber may be located in an element / component which is arranged in the outer region of the subchamber and faces the partition wall. In this case, a flow may be formed above the construction site which flows from the outer side of the subchamber to the inner side of the subchamber parallel to the construction site. In this way, a uniform velocity distribution may be achieved in the flow, whereby fumes and melt splashes may be discharged continuously. The inner side of a subchamber is to be understood as a side adjacent to at least one partition wall and thereby adjacent to an adjacent subchamber.

[0021] If, on the other hand, the at least one gas inlet is arranged in the at least one dividing wall, the gas outlet of the at least one subchamber can be located in an element / component arranged in the outer region of the subchamber. In this case, a flow can be formed on the building site which flows from the inside to the outside of the subchamber parallel to the building site. Preferably, the element in which the gas outlet is located is directly adjacent to the building site of the at least one working space, so that any fumes and melt splashes generated there can be directly extracted.

[0022] According to another embodiment, at least one powder applicator for applying powdered material to the building site can be arranged in the partition wall. For example, the powder supply of the at least one powder applicator can be directly integrated into the partition wall, so that the material powder can reach the building site of the at least one working space of the at least one subchamber, for example via a duct / pipe in the partition wall. In this way, the working space in the subchamber can be made larger, so that the productivity of the manufacturing system can be additionally increased.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a building container carrier arranged below the process chamber, the top side of which closes the process chamber at the bottom. In other words, the top side of the building container carrier may comprise a part of the bottom side / underside of the process chamber. In order to seal at least one gas inlet or outlet arranged in the partition wall against the top side of the building container carrier, the partition wall may have at least one seal on its bottom side.

[0024] The construction container carrier may include at least one construction container, the at least one construction container having a construction plate and a lifting device, the at least one construction container accommodating at least one workspace. This means that at least one workspace of at least one subchamber may be arranged in the at least one construction container. The construction container carrier may include a plurality of construction containers. In particular, each subchamber of the process chamber may include at least one construction container. A subchamber may also include a plurality of construction containers.

[0025] The building plate of the at least one building container may specifically support a building field in a working space of the building container. This means that one or more items to be manufactured may be built on the building plate. The lifting device may vertically position the building plate so that at least one working space may be formed, for example, by lowering the building plate in the building container. In particular, after each building step, the lifting device may move the building plate vertically downwards by a layer thickness (the thickness of the material powder layer to be applied). The building step may comprise applying material powder to the building plate by means of at least one powder applicator and curing the material by means of at least one optical module.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the building container carrier can move the at least one building container from a first position to a second position. Preferably, the building container carrier can be a cylindrical carrier that can be rotated to move the at least one building container from the first position to the second position. The rotation can preferably be about the longitudinal axis of the building container.

[0027] However, it is also possible that the construction container carrier has a shape other than a cylinder and is designed, for example, as a cuboid, a cube or a truncated pyramid. In order to move the at least one construction container, instead of / in addition to the rotation of the construction container carrier, a translational movement of the construction container carrier can be performed to move the at least one construction container from a first position to a second position. In both the rotational movement and the translational movement, the construction container carrier itself moves to move the construction container (self-movement). However, it is also possible that the construction container carrier does not perform any movement of its own or only moves parts of the construction container carrier. In this case, for example, the at least one construction container can be moved from a first position to a second position by means of a fixture.

[0028] The movement of the building container from the first position and the second position is to be understood as the movement of the building container in the process chamber from any position of the building container to another arbitrary position. In addition, the number of positions in the process chamber is not limited to two, but the building container can be moved to multiple positions. The term "from the first position to the second position" is intended only to express that the building container moves from one position to the next position. Therefore, it can also move from the second position to the third position, from the third position to the fourth position, etc. In the first position, the building container can, for example, be located in the first subchamber, and in the second (next) position, the building container can, for example, be located in another subchamber of the process chamber. It is also possible that the two positions are located in one subchamber. Similarly, one of the positions can be below at least one partition wall, for example in order to apply material powder from a powder coater arranged in the partition wall to the building plate of at least one building container.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, at least one building container may be rotatable about its longitudinal axis. Alternatively or additionally, the building plate of at least one building container may be rotatable about its longitudinal axis and / or the longitudinal axis of the building container. In particular, the building container may have a cylindrical shape (building cylinder). However, it is also possible that the building container has a shape other than a cylinder and is designed as a cuboid or a cube, for example. According to an embodiment of the building container, the building plate may, for example, have a circular or rectangular shape. The building plate may be mounted on / in the building container such that the longitudinal axis of the building plate coincides with the longitudinal axis of the building container. In this case, a rotation about the longitudinal axis of the building plate simultaneously includes a rotation about the longitudinal axis of the building container. However, it is also possible that the longitudinal axes of the building plate and the building container do not coincide and that the building plate is arranged, for example, on a radius of the building cylinder, at a distance from the longitudinal axis. In this case, a rotation of the building plate about the longitudinal axis of the building cylinder would mean a movement of the building plate along this radius. In this case, the rotation of the building plate about its own longitudinal axis can take place in a position outside the longitudinal axis of the building cylinder, at a distance from the latter about said radius. The rotation of at least one building container or its building plate allows different component orientations for manufacturing different objects. This can additionally increase the flexibility and productivity of the manufacturing system. Component orientation is to be understood as the orientation / alignment of the item to be manufactured in the workspace.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, at least one powder coater for applying powdery material to the building site can be integrated in the partition wall. In this case, the partition wall can preferably have at least one wiper lip on its bottom side. In this embodiment, the at least one powder coater can be fully included in the partition wall, and in particular, all functions of the powder coater can also be performed by means of the partition wall. As described above, the powder coater can be supplied, for example, via a duct / pipe in the partition wall. In this case, the respective required amount of material powder can be provided, for example, by means of a conveyor shaft and supplied to the building plate of the building container via a duct in the partition wall. When the building container passes the partition wall on its way from the first position to the second position, the wiper lip located on the bottom side of the partition wall can distribute the material powder on the building plate. This means that the powdery material is applied to the building site (coating) while the building container is being moved. Before the building plate is moved under the partition wall together with the wiper lip, the building plate can be appropriately positioned vertically by means of a lifting device (e.g. to reduce the layer thickness).

[0031] By means of this embodiment, the coating function can be fully integrated into the existing components of the equipment, so that no separate powder coater component is required to supply and distribute material powder at the construction site. This allows the working space in each subchamber to be increased and additionally reduces the component workload of the manufacturing system.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the construction container carrier may also have at least one material discharge opening. Through this opening, excess material powder can be discharged from at least one construction container, in particular from its construction plate. This can be accomplished, for example, by an inherent movement of the construction container carrier (such as rotation) when the construction container carrier moves at least one construction container from a first position to a second position. During this movement, the surface of the construction container carrier continuously moves through at least one wiper lip on the bottom side of at least one partition wall / continuously moves under at least one wiper lip on the bottom side of at least one partition wall, so that excess material on the surface can be continuously supplied to at least one material discharge port. This can preferably be arranged on the top side of the construction container carrier. Most preferably, multiple material discharge openings can be arranged on the top side of the construction container carrier. Excess material can be supplied to one or more powder overflow containers through the material discharge opening.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, at least one of the at least two subchambers may provide space for the preparation and finishing of the layer-by-layer build-up of an object made of powdered material. In other words, at least one subchamber formed by means of at least one dividing wall may not be used as a working space for the additive manufacturing of the object, but may be used, for example, as an unpacking and / or setup station. In this case, no separate optical module is required in the subchamber in question. Such an embodiment also allows the pre- and post-processing of the object to be manufactured / manufactured to be integrated into the manufacturing system. In this way, the entire process can be optimized and the productivity of the manufacturing can additionally be increased, since, for example, there is no distance to be covered between the setup station and the additive manufacturing system.

[0034] According to a further embodiment, a first subchamber of the at least two subchambers may include a first powder coater. The first powder coater may apply a first powdered material to a first construction field supported by a first construction plate of a first construction container accommodating a first working space. Furthermore, a second subchamber of the at least two subchambers may include a second powder coater. The second powder coater may then apply a second powdered material to a second construction field supported by a second construction plate of a second construction container accommodating a second working space. Specifically, the second material may be different from the first material. However, the first material and the second material may also be the same material. May be exposed simultaneously in the working space.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, the first subchamber can have a first optical module, which can spatially selectively irradiate the first powdered material provided in the area of ​​the first building site. The second subchamber can accordingly have a second optical module, which can spatially selectively irradiate the second powdered material provided in the area of ​​the second building site. The number of subchambers is not limited to two, but a plurality of subchambers can be provided, to which building sites different materials can preferably be applied, which are then irradiated by the optical modules of the respective subchambers. In this way, objects made of different materials can be additively manufactured in different subchambers of the process chamber.

[0036] According to a further embodiment, the building container carrier can move a first building container with a first building plate from the first subchamber to the second subchamber, and a second building container with a second building plate from the second subchamber to the first subchamber. This allows the article to be made of different materials. For example, a first building container with a powder layer of a first material applied to its building plate can be moved into the second subchamber after being irradiated by the first optical module. At the same time, after irradiation, the second building container with the second material can be moved into the first subchamber. Then, the two building plates can be positioned vertically, for example, reducing the layer thickness, and the powder layer of the second material can be applied to the first material in the second subchamber, and the powder layer of the first material can be applied to the second material in the first subchamber. After being irradiated by the first optical module and the second optical module in the two subchambers, the two building containers can be moved again from one subchamber to the other subchamber, and the process is repeated. This makes it possible, for example, to build an article in a sandwich construction.

[0037] After moving from one subchamber to the other, the exact position of the first and second building fields can be detected by means of suitable sensors and transmitted to the first and second optical modules. In this way, the focused laser beams of the two optical modules can always be positioned correctly. Furthermore, as described above, the position of the first and second building fields can be adjusted by rotating the first and second building containers and / or the building plate of the first and second building containers.

[0038] Preferably, the first powder coater and the second powder coater may be integrated in at least one partition wall. The first powder coater may be mounted at a first position in / on the partition wall, and the second powder coater may be mounted at a first position in / on the partition wall, and the second powder coater may be mounted at a first position in / on the partition wall, at the bottom side of the partition wall, the first wiper lip may be arranged at the first position, and the second wiper lip may be arranged at the second position. It is also possible that a continuous wiper lip is arranged on the bottom side of the partition wall. With the aid of the powder coater integrated in the partition wall, the first material and the second material may be applied alternately to the first building site and the second building site. In particular, the first material and the second material may be alternately supplied to the first building board and the second building board and distributed on the building boards by moving the first building container and the second building container.

[0039] Excess material powder can be supplied to at least one material discharge opening by its own movement, in particular by the rotation of the building container carrier as described above by means of one or more wiper lips. If the first material and the second material are different materials, the material powder mixed through the material discharge opening can be supplied to one or more powder overflow containers for reprocessing.

[0040] According to a further embodiment, the first subchamber and the second subchamber may have a common air inlet or a common air outlet. Preferably, the common air inlet or air outlet may be arranged / integrated in at least one partition wall as described above. Therefore, inert gas can be extracted from the first subchamber and the second subchamber, for example, via the openings in both sides of the partition wall into the common outlet duct in the partition wall, and the first subchamber and the second subchamber are preferably arranged on opposite sides of the partition wall. In a similar manner, the common air inlet into the first subchamber and the second subchamber can be achieved by introducing the inert gas from above through the pipeline in the partition wall into the first subchamber and the second subchamber through the opening in its side. Because the same inert gas is used in the two subchambers in this case, a common filter system can be used with a common air outlet through the partition wall. With the common air inlet through the partition wall, only one inert gas supply is required. This can compactly construct an inert gas supply for the two subchambers, which can reduce flow losses and thus increase the efficiency of the manufacturing system.

[0041] A method of using the above described apparatus for layer-by-layer building of an object of powdered material by optical interaction comprises at least one of the steps described below.

[0042] In a first step, at least one working space is provided in at least one subchamber in the area of ​​the building field, wherein the at least one subchamber is formed by dividing the process chamber by means of at least one partition wall. In particular, a plurality of subchambers can be formed by a plurality of partition walls. The working space can preferably be arranged in a building container comprising a building plate and a lifting device.

[0043] In a second step, an inert gas is supplied to at least one subchamber. In other words, an inert gas atmosphere is established in at least one subchamber, which can prevent oxidation of the metal material on the one hand and help to remove fumes and melt splashes from the construction site on the other hand.

[0044] When the inert gas atmosphere has been established in the at least one subchamber, in a third step, powdered material is applied to the building field of the at least one working space in the at least one subchamber by means of at least one powder coater. The building field of the at least one working space can preferably be supported by a building plate of the building container. This can be positioned vertically by means of a lifting device. In particular, before the material powder is brought onto the building field by the at least one coater, the building plate can be lowered by the lifting device by a layer thickness. As described above, the at least one powder coater can preferably be arranged in the at least one partition wall.

[0045] After the material powder has been applied to the building site, in a fourth step, the powdered material provided in the region of the building site is spatially selectively irradiated by means of at least one optical module. In other words, the powdered material provided in the region of the building site of the subchamber is selectively irradiated by at least one optical module, depending on the geometrical specifications of the one or more objects to be manufactured. In particular, the optical module selectively irradiates the powdered material with a focused laser beam and selectively heats it to such an extent that the powdered material temporarily completely changes into a liquid phase and solidifies in a curing process.

[0046] After the material has been irradiated, in a fifth step, inert gas is exhausted from the at least one subchamber in order to remove fumes and melt splashes from the building site. The removed inert gas is preferably supplied to a filter system for cleaning and then reintroduced into the subchamber via the at least one gas inlet. In particular, a continuous gas flow can be established on the building site, which ensures constant process conditions during the irradiation of the material powder. In other words, the second process step of inert gas supply and the fifth process step of inert gas exhaust are not to be understood as one-off steps in a process sequence, but rather, these steps are performed continuously.

[0047] Steps 2 to 5 are repeated, i.e. the material powder is applied layer by layer and cured on the construction site under a continuous inert gas flow, until the object is completely built / manufactured. In the process, the inert gas is either supplied to the at least one subchamber by means of at least one gas inlet arranged in the at least one partition wall or discharged from the at least one subchamber by means of at least one gas outlet arranged in the at least one partition wall. This enables a compact construction of the inert gas supply for the at least one subchamber, thereby reducing flow losses. Furthermore, since no additional elements for supplying or discharging the inert gas have to be arranged in the subchamber, a larger area for the at least one working space is available in the at least one subchamber.

[0048] According to an embodiment, at least one of the following steps may be additionally performed between the second step and the third step described above.

[0049] Before applying the powdered material by means of the at least one applicator, the first building plate can be positioned in the first subchamber in a vertical direction by means of a first lifting device. In particular, the first building plate can be reduced in layer thickness by means of the first lifting device. The first building plate can be arranged in a first building container accommodating the first working space for supporting the first building site. Similarly, the second building plate can be positioned vertically in the second subchamber by means of a second lifting device. In particular, the second building plate can also be reduced in layer thickness by means of the second lifting device. The second building plate can be arranged in a second building container accommodating the second working space for supporting the second building site.

[0050] After the vertical positioning of the first and second building plates, in a further step, the first and second building containers can be moved from a first position to a second position by means of a building container carrier, in which the first and second building containers are arranged. In particular, the first and second building containers can be moved from a first position in the first and second subchambers to a second position below the partition wall. Preferably, a first and second powder applicator are arranged in the partition wall, which apply a first material powder to the first building field and a second material powder to the second building field. In particular, this can mean that the first and second material powders are supplied from a first and second duct in the partition wall to the first and second building plates and are distributed on the first and second building plates by means of at least one wiper lip arranged on the bottom side of the partition wall.

[0051] According to a further embodiment, the building container carrier can move the first building container and the second building container from the second position to the third position between the third step and the fourth step (i.e., before spatially selectively irradiating the material powder). Specifically, the first building container and the second building container can be moved from the second position below the two powder coaters in the partition wall to the third position, in which the second building container is in the first subchamber and the first building container is in the second subchamber. In the third position, the first material powder and the second material powder can be spatially selectively irradiated in the corresponding subchamber by means of at least one optical module, so as to be cured.

[0052] By repeating the above steps, the first material powder and the second material powder can be applied alternately to the first construction site and the second construction site. In this way, an article made of two materials can be produced in a sandwich structure in this case. However, the number of sub-chambers, powder coaters, and material powders is not limited to two, but there may be a plurality of sub-chambers, powder coaters, and material powders, so that an article made of more than two materials can be manufactured. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] Figure 1a and Figure 1b An example of a device for the layer-by-layer construction of an object made of powdered material by means of optical interaction is schematically shown in a spatial representation and in a sectional representation, respectively;

[0054] Figure 2a and Figure 2b Schematically shows Figure 1a and Figure 1b An internal view of a device shown in a spatial representation;

[0055] Figure 3a and Figure 3b A further example of an apparatus for the layer-by-layer construction of an object made of powdered material by means of optical interaction is schematically shown in a spatial representation and in a sectional representation, respectively;

[0056] Figures 4a to 4c Schematically shows Figure 3a and Figure 3b A top view and two cross-sectional views of the device shown in;

[0057] Figure 5 An example of a method for the layer-by-layer building of an object made of powdered material by means of optical interaction is schematically shown;

[0058] Figure 6a and Figure 6b schematically show one or more examples of an apparatus for layer-by-layer construction of an object made of powdered material by means of optical interaction, respectively, in spatial representation and in plan view;

[0059] Figure 7a and Figure 7b Schematically shows Figure 6a and Figure 6b A top view and a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG.

[0060] Preferred Specific Embodiments

[0061] Hereinafter, examples of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. The features of these examples may be combined in whole or in part, and the present invention is not limited to the described examples. In the accompanying drawings, the same elements are provided with the same reference numerals, so that the repeated description of the elements is omitted unless necessary.

[0062] Figure 1a and Figure 1b An example of a device for the layer-by-layer construction of an object made of powdered material by means of optical interaction is schematically shown in a spatial representation and in a sectional representation. Figure 1b The section plane of the cross-section diagram in Figure 1a Indicated by the thin dotted line.

[0063] The device shown comprises a process chamber 1 which is divided into a first subchamber 1a and a second subchamber 1b by a partition wall 2. Figure 1b Only the processing chamber 1 and its subchambers 1a and 1b are shown in FIG. Powder coaters 22a and 22b are arranged in each of the two subchambers 1a and 1b. In addition, optical modules 9a and 9b are installed above each subchamber 1a and 1b, and air inlets 4a and 4b are installed on the outside of each subchamber 1a and 1b. The air outlets of each subchamber 1a and 1b are located in the partition wall 2 (as shown by the arrows in the partition wall 2). The processing chamber 1 is placed on the housing 3. Below the processing chamber 1, the construction container carrier 5 is installed in the housing 3. In the example shown, the construction container carrier includes a first construction container 11a and a second construction container 11b. Each of the two construction containers 11a and 11b includes a lifting device 10a, 10b and a construction plate 12a and 12b in turn. In the example shown, the construction container carrier 5 has a cylindrical shape, and the construction containers 11a and 11b are also designed to build cylinders. The top side 5 a of the construction container carrier closes off the process chamber 1 at the bottom and, in the example shown, respectively forms a part of the bottom side of the process chamber 1 .

[0064] For the layer-by-layer construction of one or more objects by means of selective laser melting, the powder coaters 22a, 22b each apply a layer of a powdered, preferably metallic material to a building field supported by a building plate 12a, 12b. Subsequently, the applied powder layer is spatially selectively irradiated by an optical module 9a, 9b with a focused laser beam. In particular, the optical modules 9a, 9b selectively irradiate the powdered material arranged on the building plates 12a, 12b with a focused laser beam 19a, 19b in each case according to the geometrical specifications of the object to be manufactured. After the irradiation, the lifting devices 10a, 10b lower the building plates 12a, 12b by the layer thickness, and the powder coaters 22a, 22b apply another layer of material powder to the respective building field. In this way, a working space for the layer-by-layer construction of the object to be produced is formed in the building container 11a, 11b.

[0065] The division of the process chamber 1 into two subchambers 1a, 1b, each providing a workspace for additive manufacturing, allows different items with different properties to be produced in one manufacturing system. Since the subchambers 1a, 1b each have their own powder coater 22a, 22b and their own optical modules 9a, 9b, items made of, for example, different materials can be produced in separate subchambers 1a, 1b.

[0066] In order to prevent oxidation of the metal material powder and to remove fumes and melt splashes from the building site, an inert gas is introduced into the subchambers via gas inlets 4a, 4b arranged at the sides of the subchambers 1a, 1b. This flows through the building site and through the gas outlets in the partition wall 2 (at Figure 1b This creates a continuous air flow. An example of the arrangement of the air outlets is shown in Figure 4c , and described in more detail in conjunction with this figure.

[0067] The arrangement of the gas inlets and outlets in the two subchambers 1a, 1b enables a uniform flow over the respective building site, which ensures constant process conditions. By dividing the process chamber 1 into two subchambers 1a, 1b, each of which has a separate inert gas flow, fumes and melt splashes can be reliably discharged.

[0068] Furthermore, the arrangement of the gas outlet in the partition wall 2 avoids additional components for the gas discharge in the subchambers 1a, 1b, so that a larger workspace is available for the additive manufacturing of the object. If the same inert gas is used in both subchambers, a common gas outlet can be implemented in the partition wall 2, through which the contaminated inert gas can be supplied to a common filter system. In this way, the component workload of the manufacturing system can be reduced.

[0069] However, it is also possible to install separate gas outlets in the partition wall 2 so that different inert gases can be used in the two subchambers 1a, 1b. This additionally increases the flexibility and quality of the manufacturing process, since the corresponding inert gas can be selected according to the different requirements for manufacturing the different items in the two subchambers.

[0070] Furthermore, only one of the two subchambers 1a, 1b can be used for additive manufacturing, while the other subchamber 1a, 1b can be used as a disassembly and setup station. In this case, no separate optical modules 9a, 9b are required in the subchambers 1a, 1b in question. Such an embodiment makes it possible to also integrate the pre- and post-processing of the items to be manufactured / manufactured into the manufacturing system. In this way, the entire process can be optimized and the productivity of the manufacturing can be additionally increased, since, for example, there is no distance to be covered between the setup station and the additive manufacturing system.

[0071] Figure 2a and Figure 2b Schematically shows Figure 1a and Figure 1b An internal view of a device shown in a spatial representation in FIG. Figure 2a and Figure 2b An example of a building container carrier 5 with building containers 11a, 11b is shown.

[0072] exist Figure 2a , the building container 5 is shown in a position in which the building containers 11a, 11b are in a first position. The first building container 11a is located in / below the first subchamber 1a, and the second building container is located in / below the second subchamber 1b (see Figure 1b ). By rotating the construction container carrier 5 about its longitudinal axis, Figure 2b The two building containers 11a, 11b in the second position are in a second position, in which the first building container 11a is located in / below the second subchamber 1b and the second building container is located in / below the first subchamber 1a. The rotation of the building container 5 is indicated by the arrow shown below the building container 5. The arrows shown below the building containers 11a, 11b illustrate that in this example, the individual building containers 11a, 11b can also be rotated about their longitudinal axis.

[0073] By moving two building containers 11a, 11b from one subchamber 1a, 1b to the other subchamber 1a, 1b, both subchambers 1a, 1b having separate powder applicators 22a, 22b and separate optical modules 9a, 9b, an article can be made of two different materials. For example, after applying and curing the powder layers, with the two building containers 11a, 11b in the first position, the building container carrier 5 can be rotated so that the building containers 11a, 11b are then in the second position. When the first building container 11a is in the first subchamber 1a, the first material is applied to the first building field of the first building container 11a and cured, and the second material can now be applied to the first building field of the first building container 11a in the second subchamber 1b and cured. The same applies to the second building field of the second building container 11b. Subsequently, the building container carrier 5 can be rotated again so that both building containers 11a, 11b are in the first position again, and new layers of initial material can be applied and cured on the first building field and the second building field. In this way, an article can be made from two materials in a sandwich construction.

[0074] After the rotation of the building container carrier 5, the precise position of the first and second building fields of the building containers 11a, 11b in the subchambers 1a, 1b can be detected by means of suitable sensors and transmitted to the optical modules 9a, 9b. In this way, the focused laser beams of the two optical modules 9a, 9b can always be correctly positioned. In addition, the position of the first and second building fields can be adjusted by rotating the first and second building containers. In the example shown, the building containers 11a, 11b are rotated around their longitudinal axes so that different component orientations can be achieved in the two building containers 11a, 11b. However, it is also possible that the building plates 12a, 12b can be rotated instead of or in addition to the building containers. These can be mounted in the center of the building containers 11a, 11b so that the corresponding building plates 12a, 12b have the same longitudinal axis as the building containers 11a, 11b. However, it is also possible to mount the building plates 12a, 12b at a distance from the longitudinal axis of the building containers 11a, 11b. In this case, preferably, building plates 12a, 12b are rotatable about their own longitudinal axis and about the longitudinal axis of building containers 11a, lib. This results in a high degree of freedom with regard to the positioning of the items to be manufactured in the work space.

[0075] It is also possible that the device shown comprises more than one dividing wall 2. For example, the process chamber 1 can be divided into four subchambers 1a, 1b by means of two dividing walls 2, for example perpendicular to each other. In this case, if each of these subchambers 1a, 1b has its own powder coater 22a, 22b and its own optical module 9a, 9b, the article can be made of up to four materials. Depending on the size of the process chamber 1, more than two dividing walls 2 can also be installed in the process chamber 1 to divide the process chamber 1 into more than four subchambers 1a, 1b.

[0076] Figure 3a and Figure 3b A further example of a device for the layer-by-layer construction of an object made of powdered material by means of optical interaction is schematically shown in a spatial representation and in a sectional representation. Figure 3b The section plane of the cross-section diagram in Figure 3a For clarity, Figure 3b Only the process chamber 1 with its subchambers 1a, 1b is shown again in FIG. The example shown here differs from the previous example only in that the powder coaters 22a, 22b are no longer arranged in the first subchamber 1a and the second subchamber 1b. All other elements are identical in construction. Figure 1a and Figure 1b In this example, two powder coaters 22a, 22b are integrated in the partition wall 2. Figure 4b The implementation of this integration is described in more detail.

[0077] Figures 4a to 4c The schematic diagram shows Figure 3a and Figure 3b A top view and two cross-sectional views of the device are shown. Figure 4a Generally used to define a section plane AA and a section plane BB passing through the device, the section plane AA and the section plane BB are Figure 4b and Figure 4c Shown in.

[0078] Figure 4bAn example of the integration of a single powder coater 22 arranged in a partition wall 2 in a section plane AA is shown. A second powder coater can be integrated in the partition wall 2 in the same manner, for example on the side of the device opposite to the section plane AA (for example, in a plane generated by the reflection of the section plane AA at the center line BB). In particular, the two powder coaters 22 integrated in the partition wall 2 can be used to manufacture articles made of two materials in a sandwich construction in the same manner as described in the previous examples. It is also possible that the device has more than one partition wall 2. For example, the process chamber 1 can be divided into four subchambers 1a, 1b by means of two partition walls 2, so that two powder coaters 22 can be integrated in each partition wall 2. Therefore, this example of the device also allows the production of articles made of more than two materials.

[0079] As can be seen, a certain amount of material powder 7 is supplied to the powder coater 22 from above through the partition wall 2. The required amount of material powder 7 can be provided layer by layer, for example, via a conveyor shaft in the partition wall 2. This then reaches the top side 5a of the build container carrier 5 via the funnel-shaped opening of the coater 22 on the side facing the build container carrier 5. With the help of a wiper lip 23 arranged on the bottom side of the partition wall 2, the material powder 7 can be applied to the build site of the first build container 11a by rotating the build container carrier 5. In particular, the required amount of material powder 7 can directly reach the build site of the first build container 11a via the funnel-shaped opening of the coater 22, so that the distribution of the material powder 7 on the build site can take place by means of the wiper lip 23 by the rotation of the build container carrier 5. For this purpose, the build container 11a can be rotated beforehand into a suitable position relative to the powder coater 22. Before applying the material powder 7 to the build site of the first build container 11a, its build plate 12a can preferably be reduced in layer thickness.

[0080] Figure 4cAn example of integrating two gas outlets 24a, 24b in the partition wall 2 is shown, through which inert gas can be removed from the first subchamber 1a and the second subchamber 1b. Inert gas is discharged from the first subchamber 1a via the first gas outlet 24a, and inert gas is discharged from the second subchamber 1b via the second gas outlet 24b. In order to seal the gas outlets 24a, 24b against the top side 5a of the construction container carrier 5, seals 24aa, 24ba are attached to the bottom side of the partition wall 2 in the gas outlet area. The inert gas contaminated by smoke and melt splashes discharged from the two subchambers 1a, 1b through the gas outlets 24a, 24b can be supplied to a filter system (not shown). Preferably, this can be a recirculation filter system, in which the inert gas is purified and then fed back to the subchambers 1a, 1b via the gas inlets 4a, 4b. If the same inert gas is used in both subchambers 1a, 1b, it can be supplied to a common filter system for cleaning. In this case, a common gas outlet 24a, 24b through the partition wall 2 is also possible.

[0081] Figure 5 An example of a method for the layer-by-layer structuring of an object made of powdered material by means of optical interaction is schematically shown.

[0082] In step S500, the process chamber 1 is first divided by the partition wall 2 to form a first subchamber 1a and a second subchamber 1b, and a workspace of the construction site is set in each of the two subchambers 1a and 1b. For this purpose, each of the two subchambers 1a and 1b includes a construction container 11a and 11b, which in turn has a construction plate 12a and 12b and a lifting device 10a and 10b (see, for example, Figure 1b , Figure 3b and Figure 4c ). A working space in the two subchambers is provided by means of lifting devices 10a, 10b, in particular by vertically positioning the building plates 12a, 12b in the building containers 11a, 11b by lowering the building plates 12a, 12b by the layer thickness (the thickness of the material powder layer to be applied). In addition, an inert gas atmosphere / inert gas flow is established in the two subchambers 1a, 1b in order to prevent oxidation of the material powder to be applied and to remove smoke and melt splashes from the building site. Therefore, gas is supplied to the first subchamber 1a via the first gas inlet 4a and gas is supplied to the second subchamber 1b via the second gas inlet 4b. The gas outlets of the two subchambers 1a, 1b are connected via a partition wall (see Figure 4c )supply.

[0083] After the first building plate 12a and the second building plate 12b are vertically positioned, in a next step S510, the first building container 11a and the second building container 11b are moved from the first position to the second position by means of the building container carrier 5 in which the first building container and the second building container are arranged. In the present case, the first building container 11a and the second building container 11b are moved from the first position in the first subchamber 1a and the second subchamber 1b to the second position below or adjacent to the partition wall 2. The first powder coater and the second powder coater are arranged in the partition wall 2 (see Figure 4b ), which applies the first material powder 7a to the first building field and the second material powder 7b to the second building field. Specifically, this may mean that the first material powder 7a and the second material powder 7b are supplied from the first and second ducts in the partition wall 2 to the first and second building plates 12a, 12b and by means of at least one wiper lip 23 arranged on the bottom side of the partition wall 2 (see also Figure 4b ) and distributed on the first building plate 12a and the second building plate 12b.

[0084] After applying the first material powder 7a and the second material powder 7b to the first building site and the second building site, in a next step S520 the building containers 11a , 11b are moved from the second position to the third position by means of the building container carrier 5 .

[0085] In this example, the first building container 11a and the second building container 11b are moved from the second position below the two coaters in the partition wall 2 to the third position, in which the second building container 11b is located in the first subchamber 1a and the first building container 11b is located in the second subchamber 1b. In the third position, the two building containers 11a, 11b are also respectively located in the irradiation areas 9aa, 9ba of the first optical module 9a and the second optical module 9b, and are simultaneously located in the optimal area of ​​the inert gas flow between the gas inlet 4a, 4b and the gas outlet of each subchamber. Therefore, in this position, in the next step S530, the first material powder and the second material powder can be spatially selectively irradiated and cured by means of the optical modules 9a, 9b.

[0086] During rotation from the second position to the third position, excess material powder 7a, 7b which may be located on the top side 5a of the building container carrier 5a may be conveyed / pushed into one or more powder overflow containers (not shown) via the material discharge openings 6a, 6b by means of the wiper lip 23.

[0087] By repeating the above steps S500 to S530, the first material powder 7a and the second material powder 7b can be applied alternately to the first construction site and the second construction site. In this way, according to the described example, the article can be made of two materials in a sandwich construction. Therefore, the construction container carrier 5 can be rotated continuously, that is, the application and irradiation of the first material powder 7a and the second material powder 7b can already occur during the rotation of the construction container carrier 5. Similarly, since the construction container carrier is constantly moved under the wiper lip 23, excess material powder 7a, 7b can be continuously removed from the surface 5a of the construction container carrier during rotation. The continuous process of material application and curing can significantly accelerate the production of additively manufactured articles and thus increase the productivity of the manufacturing system.

[0088] Figure 6a and Figure 6b One or more examples of a device for the layer-by-layer construction of an object of powdered material by means of optical interaction are schematically shown in a spatial representation and in a plan view, respectively. The example shown here differs from the previous examples in that on the outer sides of the first subchamber 1a and the second subchamber 1b, a first gas outlet 24a and a second gas outlet 24b are arranged instead of the first gas inlet 4a and the second gas inlet 4b. Moreover, in this example, the building container carrier 5 comprises six building containers 11a, 11b instead of only two. For this reason, for example, as in the previous examples (e.g. in Figure 1a and Figure 3a ), the two optical modules 9a, 9b are not arranged directly opposite to each other on both sides of the partition wall 2, but are installed to be spaced apart from each other in the direction in which the partition wall extends (see Figure 6b The same applies to the first air outlet 24a and the second air outlet 24b. Figure 1a and Figure 3a Compared with the gas inlets 4a, 4b shown in FIG, the first gas outlet 24a and the second gas outlet 24b are also not arranged opposite to each other, but are installed to be spaced apart from each other in the direction in which the partition wall 2 extends. Specifically, in this example, the gas outlets 24a, 24b are arranged so that smoke and melt splashes (also called process by-products) can be extracted directly where they occur. Gas is supplied to the two sub-chambers 1a, 1b via corresponding gas inlets in the partition wall 2. This is described below in conjunction with Figure 7a and Figure 7b Explain in more detail.

[0089] Figure 7a and Figure 7b Schematically shows Figure 6a and Figure 6b A top view and a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG.

[0090] Figure 7a Shows Figure 6aand Figure 6b 1a, 1b. A top view of the irradiation areas 9aa, 9ba of the two optical modules 9a, 9b shown in FIG. Due to the opposite gas inlets and gas outlets in the two subchambers 1a, 1b, an inert gas flow is provided in each of the irradiation areas 9aa, 9ba. The inert gas flows from the gas inlet arranged in the partition wall in the direction of the gas outlets 24a, 24b. This is indicated by the thin arrows in the irradiation areas 9aa, 9ba.

[0091] It is clear that the irradiation areas 9aa, 9ba with the associated inert gas flows are arranged so that the building fields of the six building containers 11a, 11b present in this example can be irradiated successively one after another by means of the rotation of the building container carrier 5. In particular, with the continuous rotation of the building container carrier 5, the process steps of additive manufacturing (applying material powder, irradiating material powder, lowering the building plate) can always take place on each building field of the six building containers 11a, 11b.

[0092] Figure 7b Shows Figure 6a and Figure 6b The device is shown in section plane AA. Section plane AA is Figure 7a is defined in and corresponds to Figure 4a and Figure 4b AA of the section plane. In this example, in addition to the powder coater 22, a gas inlet 4 is integrated into the partition wall 2. Gas is supplied from above through the partition wall 2 and subsequently introduced laterally into the second subchamber 1b. The gas inlet is arranged directly opposite the gas outlet 24b so that a uniform inert gas flow can be formed above the building field of the building containers 11a, 11b entering the irradiation area 9ba. The gas flowing into the subchamber 1b, the gas flowing through the building field and the gas discharged through the gas outlet 24b are discharged at Figure 7b Marked with corresponding arrows.

[0093] Similar to Figure 4b In the example shown in , a further powder coater can be integrated in the partition wall 2 in the same way (e.g. on the side of the device opposite to the section plane AA), and a further gas inlet can be integrated in the partition wall 2 in the same way (e.g. on the side of the device opposite to the section plane AA). In particular, the further gas inlet can be arranged directly opposite the gas outlet 24a to form a uniform inert gas flow over the building field of the building containers 11a, 11b entering the irradiation area 9aa. If two different inert gases are used in the first subchamber 1a and the second subchamber 1b, they are supplied to different filter systems (not shown) for purification.

[0094] In the present example, if the same inert gas is used in both subchambers 1a, 1b, this can also be conducted downwards via a common descending duct in the partition wall 2 and by means of branches to the gas inlet at the irradiation areas 9aa, 9ba. In this case, the contaminated inert gas can be directed to a common filter system via two gas outlets 24a, 24b.

[0095] Because, in this example, two powder coaters 22 can also be integrated in the partition wall 2, in which case it is also possible to manufacture objects from two materials in a sandwich construction. Likewise, more than one partition wall 2 with integrated powder coaters 22 and air inlets 4 can be adapted in the process chamber 1, so that this example of the device can also manufacture objects made of more than two materials.

Claims

1. A device for building up an object of powder material (7, 7a, 7b) layer by layer by means of optical interaction, in particular by means of selective laser melting, comprising: A process chamber (1) for providing at least one working space in the area of ​​a construction site; at least one partition wall (2), the at least one partition wall (2) dividing the processing chamber (1) into at least two sub-chambers (1a, 1b), one of the at least two sub-chambers (1a, 1b) providing the working space; a powder coater (22, 22a, 22b) for applying a powdered material (7) to the construction site; an optical module (9a, 9b) of an irradiation unit, the optical module (9a, 9b) of the irradiation unit being used for spatially selectively irradiating the powdery material (7a, 7b) arranged in an area of ​​the construction site; a gas inlet (4, 4a, 4b), the gas inlet (4, 4a, 4b) being used to supply an inert gas to the subchamber (1a, 1b); and an outlet (24a, 24b), the outlet (24a, 24b) being used to discharge the inert gas from the subchamber (1a, 1b); The air inlet (4a, 4b) and / or the air outlet (24a, 24b) are arranged in the at least one partition wall (2).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The air inlet (4, 4a, 4b) and the air outlet (24a, 24b) are arranged opposite to each other in at least one subchamber (1a, 1b).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: At least one said powder applicator (22, 22a, 22b) for applying powdery material (7) to said building site is arranged in said partition wall (2).

4. The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: A construction container carrier (5) is arranged below the process chamber (1) and the top side (5a) of the construction container carrier (5) closes the process chamber at the bottom, the construction container carrier (5) has at least one construction container (11a, 11b), the at least one construction container (11a, 11b) has a construction plate (12a, 12b) and a lifting device (10a, 10b), the at least one construction container (11a, 11b) accommodates the working space, wherein The lifting device (10a, 10b) is configured to vertically position the building plate (12a, 12b) in one of the at least two subchambers (1a, 1b), and The building plate (12a, 12b) is configured to support the building field.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein The building container carrier (5) is configured to move the at least one building container (11a, 11b) from a first position to a second position.

6. The device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The at least one building container (11a, 11b) is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the at least one building container (11a, 11b), and / or The building plate (12a, 12b) of the at least one building container (11a, 11b) is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the building plate (12a, 12b) and / or about a longitudinal axis of the building container (11a, 11b).

7. The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The powder applicator (22, 22a, 22b) for applying powdery material (7) to the building site is integrated in the partition wall (2), and / or the partition wall (2) has at least one wiper lip (23) on the bottom side of the partition wall (2).

8. The device according to at least one of claims 4 to 7, wherein: The construction container carrier (5) has at least one material discharge opening (6a, 6b).

9. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least one of the at least two subchambers (1a, 1b) is configured to provide space for pre-processing and post-processing of the layer-by-layer construction of an object (7) made of powdery material.

10. The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: A first subchamber (1a) of the at least two subchambers (1a, 1b) comprises a first powder coater (22a) configured to apply a first powdery material (7a) to a first building field supported by a first building plate (12a) of a first building container (11a) accommodating a first work space; and A second subchamber (1b) of the at least two subchambers (1a, 1b) comprises a second powder coater (22b) configured to apply a second powdery material (7b) to a second building field supported by a second building plate (12b) containing a second building container (11b) of a second workspace.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein: a first optical module (9a) assigned to the first subchamber (1a) and configured to spatially selectively irradiate the first powdery material (7a) arranged in the region of the first building site, and A second optical module (9b) is assigned to the second subchamber (1b) and is configured to spatially selectively irradiate the second powdery material (7b) arranged in the region of the second building site.

12. The device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein The building container carrier (5) is configured to move the first building container (11a) having the first building plate (12a) from the first sub-chamber (1a) to the second sub-chamber (1b), and the building container carrier (5) is configured to move the second building container (11b) having the second building plate (12b) from the second sub-chamber (1b) to the first sub-chamber (1a).

13. The device according to at least one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: The first subchamber (1a) and the second subchamber (1b) comprise a common air inlet (4a, 4b) and / or a common air outlet (24a, 24b).

14. A method for building up an article of powder material (7, 7a, 7b) layer by layer by means of optical interaction using a device according to at least one of the preceding claims, the method comprising at least one of the following steps: (1) providing a working space in at least one subchamber (1a, 1b) in the area of ​​a construction site, the at least one subchamber (1a, 1b) being formed by dividing a process chamber (1) by means of at least one partition wall (2); (2) supplying an inert gas to the at least one subchamber (1a, 1b); (3) applying powdered material (7, 7a, 7b) to the building site of the working space of the at least one subchamber (1a, 1b) by means of at least one powder applicator (22, 22a, 22b); (4) spatially selectively irradiating the powdery material arranged in at least one area of ​​the construction site by means of at least one optical module (9a, 9b); and (5) exhausting the inert gas from the at least one subchamber (1a, 1b); (6) Repeating the above steps (2) to (5) until the construction of the object is completed; in, The inert gas is supplied into the at least one subchamber (1a, 1b) and / or exhausted from the at least one subchamber (1a, 1b) by means of at least one gas inlet (4a, 4b) or at least one gas outlet (2a, 2b) arranged in the at least one partition wall (2).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: Additionally perform at least one of the following steps: A first building plate (12a) for supporting a first building field in a first building container (11a) accommodating a first working space is vertically positioned by means of a first lifting device (10a) in a first subchamber (1a), and a second building plate (12b) for supporting a second building field in a second building container (11b) accommodating a second working space is vertically positioned by means of a second lifting device (10b) in a second subchamber (1b); as well as The first building container (11a) and the second building container (11b) are moved from a first position to a second position by means of a building container carrier (5), wherein the first building container (11a) and the second building container (11b) are arranged in the building container carrier (5).

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: Additionally perform the following steps: The first building container (11a) and the second building container (11b) are moved from the second position to a third position by means of the building container carrier (5).

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