Device for the production of three-dimensional components

Abstract

Device (1) for producing three-dimensional objects (9) by successively solidifying layers of a build-up material (8) that can be solidified by means of electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation at the locations corresponding to the respective cross-section of the object (9) to be produced, comprising a process chamber (2), a build-up module (3) consisting of a metering chamber (4), a build-up chamber (5) and an overflow chamber (6), an application device (7) for applying the build-up material (8) which is stored in the metering chamber (4) and an irradiation device for irradiating the applied layers of the build-up material (8) at the locations corresponding to the respective cross-section of the object (9) to be produced, wherein the application device (7) has at least one driven side guide (20) and a coating body (19), and the side guide (20) is connected to the coating body (19) by means of a connecting element (18),wherein the at least one side guide (20) is guided by means of a rail (21) which is fixed in a cavity (17) at the bottom, wherein the cavity (17) is arranged on the far side of a process chamber wall (12) and the process chamber wall (12) has an elongated opening for moving the connecting element (18), wherein the at least one side guide (20) is driven by means of at least one drive belt (16) which is fixed to the connecting element (18) and / or to the side guide (20) by means of a fastening means (22), wherein the drive belt (16) is coupled directly or via intermediate elements to a motor (10) and the motor (10) is arranged outside the assembly module (3) and outside the process chamber (2), and wherein the process chamber wall (12) has two U-shaped ends (23, 24).in which at least one drive belt (16) is partially guided and the arrangement of the drive belt (16) forms a build-material-tight seal of the opening of the process chamber wall (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for manufacturing three-dimensional components, which are built by successively solidifying layers of a build-up material, particularly a powder, at the locations corresponding to the respective cross-section of the object. During the build process, the build-up material is transported from a metering chamber containing the material to the build chamber by means of an application device. Both the build chamber and the metering chamber contain a height-adjustable support device, whereby the build-up material in the metering chamber is successively raised and the object, along with the unsolidified build-up material, is successively lowered in the build chamber. After each layer has been irradiated, the support device in the metering chamber is raised, the object and the build-up material in the build chamber are lowered, and the resulting space in the build chamber is filled with the build-up material from the metering chamber.For this purpose, the building material protruding beyond the edge of the dosing chamber is pushed towards the build chamber by the application device. The lowering of the object creates a corresponding empty space in the build chamber. Any excess building material is deposited over the build chamber into an overflow chamber located behind the dosing chamber.

[0002] Known application devices are driven on one side by a drive motor; guidance on both sides is possible. Such an application device is known, for example, from DE 103 60 094 A1. This application device is guided on two rails above the build chamber and the metering chamber, with the rails being open opposite the build chamber and the metering chamber.

[0003] With this type of application device, it can happen that building material gets onto or next to the rails, hindering the movement of the application device and remaining in the process chamber after the construction process is complete, potentially entering the dosing chamber or construction chamber at a later time. If the building material has been changed between two construction processes, it can become contaminated.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of designing a device with the features of the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that it prevents such contamination. This objective is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] The core of the invention is considered to be the use of a drive belt for driving the application device, which is guided in a wall above the build chamber and the metering chamber and thus simultaneously seals the guide elements of the application device against the interior of the process chamber in a powder-tight or build-up-material-tight manner.

[0006] The seal must be designed in such a way that the powdered building material cannot penetrate behind the wall. The degree of sealing depends on the properties of the building material, with the particle size or diameter of the powder particles ranging from 5 μm to 100 μm (please verify, these are very rough estimates). The larger the diameter of the building material particles, the lower the requirements for the sealing of the drive unit.

[0007] No liquid is present in the process chambers during the build process. The introduced inert gas is irrelevant for the drive elements and guide components, and is not relevant with regard to contamination. Therefore, the wall opening does not need to be watertight or gas-tight. For example, it is perfectly sufficient if any gaps between the drive belt and the wall are smaller than the diameter of the granules or powder of the build material. A granule that is flung towards the wall due to the movement of the application device and its unfavorable positioning will then not be able to enter the gap; instead, it will fall to the bottom of the process chamber.

[0008] Naturally, due to manufacturing tolerances, for example of the drive belt, it can happen that it is not perfectly seated in the wall along its entire length, such that the gap between the wall and the drive belt is smaller than the diameter of the grains of the build material. This is not problematic, however, as only a few grains of the build material actually fall onto the wall above the build chamber, and these only very rarely come close to the gap between the drive belt and the wall.

[0009] Furthermore, it must be considered that the grains of the build-up material do not have identical diameters. Rather, the diameters are normally distributed around an average diameter. A build-up material tightness is defined as any arrangement of the drive belt in which the wall opening is covered in such a way that grains with an average diameter or larger cannot penetrate behind the wall or the drive belt. On the one hand, the small grains pose less of a problem when moving the application device; on the other hand, a grain with a small diameter and correspondingly small volume also contaminates subsequent build-up processes with different build-up materials less. Assuming that the smallest average diameter occurring in build-up material is 5 μm, this is also the lower limit that must be guaranteed with regard to tightness.With coarser grain sizes, the gaps and therefore the density can be correspondingly larger.

[0010] The drive belt is preferably designed as a toothed belt. The teeth point away from the interior of the process chamber, while the smooth side faces the outside of the wall, i.e., towards the interior of the process chamber. The side guide(s) of the application device are located behind the wall and away from the process chamber, and are connected to the coating body by a connecting element. In the case of a circulating drive belt, the ends of the drive belt can be clamped to the side guide, with the connecting element being designed such that it covers a small portion of the opening in the wall.

[0011] The connecting element can also be designed as a narrow connecting web in the area of ​​the wall opening, which runs through a narrow slot in the drive belt. Here too, any gap between the slot in the drive belt and the connecting element must be sealed against the surrounding material.

[0012] The wall has two U-shaped recesses for receiving the drive belt, into which the drive belt can be inserted. If, in addition to the application device, a grinding roller is also driven in the same way as the application device, i.e., also by means of a drive belt guided in the wall, this drive belt for driving the grinding roller is arranged above the drive belt of the application device. Between the two drive belts is an H-shaped section of the wall, which is held in place by a web.

[0013] The application device can of course also be driven from both sides, with the drive from both sides preferably being carried out via a common motor.

[0014] Further advantages, features, and designs will become apparent from the figures and examples described below. These show:

[0015] Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the basic structure of a device;

[0016] Fig. 2 a section of a process chamber in top view;

[0017] Fig. 3 an application device;

[0018] Fig. 4 a cross-sectional view of a wall;

[0019] Fig. 5 a section of a wall in a first embodiment;

[0020] Fig. 6 a section of a wall in a second embodiment.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows the basic structure of a device. 1for the production of three-dimensional objects in the area of ​​the process chamber 2 . As the floor of the trial chamber 2 functions as a building module 3 with dosing chamber 4 , Chamber of Architects 5 , overflow chamber 6 as well as one above the construction chamber 5 movable application device 7 . With the application device 7 The construction material can be used 8 from the dosing chamber 4 to the Chamber of Construction 5 transport where the construction material 8 is solidified at the relevant points to secure the object 9 to construct. The corresponding irradiation device as well as the other parts of the apparatus not essential for the present application. 1 are not shown for the sake of clarity.

[0022] Outside the building module 3 and the trial chamber 2 The engine is located 10, with which the application device 7 is driven. Above the application device 7 can a grinding roller 11 to be moved and driven. The grinding roller 11 It is used to deburr the object. 9 .

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 shows part of the upper area of ​​the building module. 3 , which forms the bottom of the process chamber. The present invention is, of course, not limited to application in modular units; rather, the drive belt can be guided in any wall above the assembly chamber. The modular unit 3 has side walls 12 and front walls 13 up. The side wall 12 consists of an upper part 14 and a lower part 15 , each with a U-shaped end 23 and 24 exhibit. In these U-shaped terminations 23 and 24 is the drive belt 16guided. The drive belt 16 is guided all the way around, which is not in the opening of the wall 12 The guided part is located inside the cavity. 17 behind the wall 12 The ends of the drive belt 16 are on the side guide 20 attached. The side guide 20 is with the coating body 19 the application device 7 by means of the connecting element 18 connected. The drive belt 16 driven side guide 20 is achieved by means of the rail 21 guided, which also in the cavity 17 is attached to the ground.

[0024] Fig. Figure 3 shows the application device 7 In more detail. The connecting element 18 connects the coating body 19 as well as the side guidance 20 Alternatively, for attachment to the connecting element 18 can the drive belt 16also by means of a fastening device 22 on the side guide 20 Side guide 20 This can be done on both sides of the connecting element. 18 happen.

[0025] Due to the arrangement of side guides on both sides 20 is a double-sided drive of the application device 7 possible. The double-sided drive can be achieved with a single motor. 10 This allows the drive to be synchronized using simple means. The drive belt(s) can be attached directly to the motor. 10 They may be coupled, but other elements such as gearboxes may also be interposed.

[0026] Fig. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view through the wall above the build chamber as well as part of the application device. 7 The upper part 14 and the lower part 15 the side wall 12 They each end in U-shaped terminations. 23 and24 , in which the drive belt 16 It is guided vertically. Is the drive belt 16 If designed as a toothed belt, the teeth extend over the entire length of the toothed belt and are arranged in a vertical direction, i.e. from top to bottom.

[0027] Fig. Figure 5 shows the wall of the process chamber or the construction module. 3 in a further development. This is in the trial chamber. 2 a grinding roller 11 provided for, which are located above the application device 7 is arranged. Therefore, the distance between the U-shaped ends is 23 and 24 enlarged, with an H-shaped wall element in between. 27 , which is done by means of the bridge 28 is held. Between the U-shaped end 23 and the H-shaped wall element 27 or between the H-shaped wall element 27 and the U-shaped end 24There are drive belts located in each case 16 , which are in the recesses of the devices 23 , 24 and 25 be guided. On the jetty 28 is a rail 21 arranged on which the side guide 20 the grinding roller 11 is guided. The side guidance 20 the grinding roller 11 This can be identical to the side guidance. 20 the application device 7 be designed.

[0028] Fig. Figure 6 shows one design of the U-shaped end. 24 and / or the H-shaped wall element 27 The upper process chamber sections are involved. 29 and / or 30 flattened so that no grains of the building material can come to rest there. In particular, grains that land on the sections are flattened. 29 and 30 They are led back into the trial chamber, while otherwise they remain on the sections29 and 30 jump up and go to the drive belts 16 could bounce off. Due to the chamfering of the sections. 29 and 30 This increases the probability that a grain of the building material will even reach the drive belt. 16 touched or near the gap between drive belts 16 and wall 12 The angle is further reduced. The flattening is designed so that the angle 31 between the inside of the U and the sections 29 and 30 less than 90°. The preferred angle is 31 Less than or equal to 75°, especially less than or equal to 45°. Reference symbol list 1 Device 2nd Trial Chamber 3 Building Module 4 Dosing chamber 5 Construction Chamber 6 Overflow chamber 7. Application device 8 Assembly material 9 objects 10 Motor 11 Grinding roller 12 side wall 13 Front wall 14 upper part of 12 15 lower part of 12 16 drive belts 17 Cavity 18 Connecting element 19 coating bodies 20 side guide 21 rail 22 Fasteners 23 Conclusion 24 Conclusion 25 tops from 20 26 ball carriages 27 wall element 28 Bridge Section 29 Section 30 QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0029] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0030] DE 10360094 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Device ( 1 ) for the production of three-dimensional objects ( 9 ) by successive solidification of layers of a building material, particularly powdered, which can be solidified by means of electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation ( 8 ) at the respective cross-section of the object ( 9 ) corresponding bodies, with a construction chamber ( 5 ), an application device ( 7 ) for applying the building material ( 8 ), which is in a dosing chamber ( 4 ) is in stock and an irradiation device for irradiating the applied layers of the build-up material ( 8 ) at the respective cross-section of the object ( 9 ) corresponding locations, wherein the application device ( 7 ) at least one driven side guide ( 20 ) and a coating body ( 19 ) has, wherein the drive unit and the application device ( 7) are connected by means of one or more coupling devices, characterized by that as a coupling means in the area of ​​the construction chamber ( 5 ) and the dosing chamber ( 4 ) at least one drive belt ( 16 ) is arranged, the side guide ( 20 ) with the coating body ( 19 ) by means of a connecting element ( 18 ) is connected and in a recess ( 17 ) the wall ( 12 ) above the construction chamber ( 5 ) and the dosing chamber ( 4 ) is guided, the wall ( 12 ) an elongated opening for moving the connecting element ( 18 ) has and the drive belt ( 16 ) is arranged in such a way that it covers the opening of the wall ( 12 ) essentially covers the structure material. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the drive belt ( 16 ) is designed as a timing belt. [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the drive belt ( 16 ) is continuously trained. [4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the drive belt ( 16 ) has at least one flat side facing the outside of the wall ( 12 ) is arranged. [5] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the wall ( 12 ) two U-shaped ends ( 23 , 24 ) has in which the drive belt ( 16 ) is partially managed. [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the ends or an intermediate section of the drive belt ( 16 ) on the connecting element ( 18 ) and / or on a side guide ( 20 are fixed. [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connecting element ( 18 ) and / or fasteners ( 22) are designed in such a way that they create the opening in the wall ( 12 ) in an area not fully covered by the drive belt, essentially covering with a material-tight seal. [8] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the application device ( 7 ) is driven on both sides. [9] Device according to claim 8, characterized by that the drive on both sides is via a common motor ( 10 ) is done, which the drive belts ( 16 ) for driving the side guides ( 20 ) drives synchronously. [10] Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that a gearbox between the motor ( 10 ) and the side guides ( 20 ) is arranged. [11] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that it has a driven grinding roller ( 11) exhibits, which act as coupling means in the area of ​​the construction chamber ( 5 ) and the dosing chamber ( 4 ) at least one drive belt ( 16 ) includes an opening in the wall ( 12 ) essentially covers the structure material. [12] Device according to claim 11, characterized by that the grinding roller ( 11 ) and the application device ( 7 ) are driven on one side and the drive is by means of a single motor ( 10 ) is realized. [13] Device according to claim 11, characterized by that the grinding roller ( 11 ) and the application device ( 7 are driven on both sides. [14] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the construction chamber ( 5 ), the dosing chamber ( 4 ) and the application device ( 7 ) in a building module ( 3 ) are arranged and the wall ( 12 ) a wall ( 12) of the building module ( 3 ) is. [15] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the wall ( 12 ) two U-shaped ends ( 23 , 24 ) and has an H-shaped wall element, with a U-shaped end between each ( 23 , 24 ) and the H-shaped wall element a drive belt ( 16 ) is led. [16] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one upward-pointing section ( 29 , 30 ) the wall ( 12 ) are flattened to such an extent that no grains of the building material ( 8 ) can come to rest. [17] Device according to claim 16, characterized by that the angle ( 31 ), the upward-pointing section ( 29 , 30 ) with the vertical, in particular with an inside of a U-shaped end ( 23 , 24) or an H-shaped wall element ( 27 ), includes, less than or equal to 75°, in particular less than or equal to 45°.

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