Process for the additive manufacturing of multiple components by adjusting a print head in each print path

Abstract

Method for the additive manufacturing of a plurality of components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) using at least one print head (300) of a 3D printing device (3), wherein the components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) are manufactured layer by layer and along an axis (X-axis) successively on a printing platform (P), characterized in that - in a layer plane for each of the components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) following one another along the axis (X), an outer contour (K) is first produced via the at least one print head (300), which outlines a filling area (F) for the respective component (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5), and - subsequently, the at least one print head (300) is adjusted along the axis (X-axis) in order to successively introduce printing material into the filling areas (F) of the plurality of components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) along a first print path, before the print head (300) is adjusted again along the axis (X-axis) in order to successively introduce printing material into the filling areas (F) of the plurality of components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) along a second print path offset from the first print path.

Description

[0001] The proposed solution relates in particular to a method for producing several components and using at least one print head of a 3D printing device.

[0002] Through additive manufacturing of a component using a 3D printing device, a component is built up layer by layer. Metal, ceramic, and / or plastic granules, for example, are melted via at least one extruder, and in particular at least one extruder screw provided within the extruder, and conveyed to a print head of the extruder in order to build up a component layer by layer. In practice, 3D printing has traditionally produced solid sections of the component to be manufactured by applying printing material over the entire surface in the respective component layer. For this purpose, the corresponding surface is completely traversed by the print head in the component layer, while printing material is continuously dispensed.

[0003] For example, when manufacturing multiple components on a print platform, it is common for a layer of one of the components to be produced to be completely finished before the print head begins manufacturing a layer of another component. Since the print head may have to be adjusted along multiple print paths when creating a component layer and then moved to another area of ​​the print platform where print material is then applied along multiple print paths, the print head is repeatedly accelerated and decelerated. Therefore, when manufacturing multiple components on a print platform in an additive manufacturing process, a comparatively large number of braking and acceleration processes must be carried out. At the same time, there is always a need to accelerate additive manufacturing processes.

[0004] There is therefore a need for improved printing strategies for 3D printing and thus processes that can accelerate the additive manufacturing of multiple components on one printing platform.

[0005] The proposed solution according to independent claim 1 provides a remedy here.

[0006] In a proposed method for the additive manufacturing of several (at least two) components using at least one print head of a 3D printing device, it is proposed that - in a layer plane, for each component to be built up layer by layer along a (printing) axis, an outer contour is first produced via the at least one print head, which outlines a filling area for the respective component, and - the at least one print head is then adjusted along the axis in order to successively introduce printing material into the filling areas of the plurality of components along a first printing path, before the print head is again adjusted along the axis in order to successively introduce printing material into the filling areas of the plurality of components along a second printing path offset from the first printing path.

[0007] The proposed solution is therefore based on the basic idea of ​​first forming the desired outer contour in a layer plane for each component when several components are to be produced along a (printing) axis on a printing platform, before a fill of the components is printed path by path and thus vector or line by line across all components. Thus, the outer contour is first printed for each component layer of a component, before the fill areas of the components bordered (if necessary completely) by the outer contours are subsequently provided with printing material by at least one print head adjusted along a printing path. The component layer in a fill area of ​​a component is thus produced using printing material that is applied along several printing paths when the print head is adjusted.When moving along a print path, the print head traverses several areas on the print platform where components are to be manufactured. Accordingly, the print head does not completely form a component layer of exactly one component in the respective fill area in a layer plane—as has often been the case in practice—before the component layer for another component is completely formed in its fill area in the corresponding layer plane.

[0008] In additive manufacturing according to the proposed solution, printing material is sequentially applied along a printing path for all components that are to be produced next to one another along the printing path, or - from the perspective of the (control) commands for the 3D printing device for producing the component-generating software - are located next to one another. Thus, printing material is applied across all components. In this way, for example, one component layer for each of the multiple components can be produced using at least one extruder having the print head by - in a first work step, outer contours for the components to be manufactured are first produced in the respective component layer, each of which extends in the layer plane and each comprises at least one outer wall extending in a direction of extension perpendicular to the layer plane for at least partially defining the filling area, so that at least one volume chamber open in the direction of extension is formed within a filling area, and - in a subsequent, second work step, printing material is introduced into the filling areas of the components (in particular all components along the axis) along the first printing path, before in a further subsequent, third work step, printing material is introduced into the filling areas of the components along the second printing path.

[0009] It can of course be provided that for a given formation of a filling area, the print head must be moved more than twice and thus along more than two printing paths over a filling area in order to apply sufficient printing material in one component layer.

[0010] The proposed solution offers the particular advantage that a print head dispenses printing material for multiple components during an adjustment movement along a print path before the print path is changed. This can significantly reduce the number of braking and acceleration processes compared to previously common 3D printing processes. This, in turn, results in a significant reduction in production time. In other words, a defined number of components can be manufactured simultaneously in a shorter time in one production process on one print platform.

[0011] In one embodiment, the at least one print head is adjusted in a first adjustment direction along the (adjustment) axis during adjustment along the first printing path, while the print head is adjusted in a second adjustment direction along the printing axis opposite to the first adjustment direction during adjustment along the second printing path.

[0012] In principle, it can be provided that the print head executes a turning and / or transverse movement at the end of an adjustment movement along one of the print paths such that the print head is adjusted offset parallel to the previous print path during a subsequent adjustment movement along a subsequent print path. Consequently, at the end of an adjustment movement along a print path covering multiple components, the print head is driven to perform a turning and / or transverse movement, via which the print head is displaced such that the print head is subsequently adjusted along another print path across the areas on the print platform for the components to be manufactured, which runs offset parallel to the previous print path.

[0013] In principle, it can be provided that the print head only has to be braked for a turning and / or transverse movement, which can already further reduce the printing time. Furthermore, it can be provided that in a layer plane, by moving the print head back and forth along offset, parallel printing paths over all outer contours for the components to be produced next to one another along the axis, printing material is introduced into the fill areas of the multiple components. However, it is also possible within the framework of the production process for an adjustment axis, along which the print head changes from one printing path to a subsequent printing path, and the printing axis to change between two component layers. For example, a component layer can be printed along an X-axis in several printing paths that are offset along the Y-axis, based on a Cartesian coordinate system.At least one subsequent component layer is then printed along the Y-axis. Here, the print paths are offset along the X-axis.

[0014] A further reduction in printing time can be achieved in a variant in which a turning radius for the print head is selected for a change in printing direction such that the vector velocity of the print head remains unchanged. Thus, a velocity component of the adjustment speed in the spatial direction along which the print head is adjusted along the print path can be reduced, while a velocity component perpendicular to this direction is increased.This includes, for example, a variant in which, based on a Cartesian coordinate system, the adjustment speed of the print head is reduced along an X-axis but increased along the Y-axis, so that the print head executes a turning movement in an XY plane at an adjustment speed that essentially corresponds to, or even exactly to, the adjustment speed with which the print head was previously adjusted along the X-axis along a print path. In particular, in this context, it can also be provided that a turning radius is selected to be so large that the print head initially skips at least one print path with the turning movement, along which the print head is then adjusted only after at least one further turn at the other end.

[0015] It is also obvious that the basic idea of ​​the proposed solution is also implemented if, instead of or in addition to an externally powered adjustment of the print head relative to the print platform (and thus, for example, relative to a print bed), an externally powered adjustment of the print platform relative to the print head takes place, in particular in order to apply filler material along the print axis with the print head and / or to switch from one print path to the next.

[0016] In principle, it can be provided that the multiple components are arranged in a row along the axis, side by side or one behind the other, and that printing material is introduced into the filling areas of the components in the row along the first printing path before further printing material is introduced into the same filling areas of the components in the same row along the second printing path. An adjustment movement along a printing path is thus provided for the introduction of printing material into several different filling areas.This includes - as already explained above - in particular that in a filling area of ​​one or more of the components, printing material is repeatedly introduced via the process along several printing paths, because the component layer in the respective filling area is not yet fully formed after a single pass and / or because one or more printing paths were initially skipped due to a correspondingly large turning radius of the print head.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the components are each separated from one another along the axis by a gap. During an adjustment movement of the print head along a print path, during which print material is introduced into the filling areas of the multiple components, in one embodiment the ejection of print material from the print head is (temporarily) stopped when the gap is traveled over. The widths of the gap between two adjacent components can be identical or different. The only decisive factor in the corresponding embodiment is that, e.g. controlled via an electronic control unit of the 3D printing device, the ejection of print material from the at least one print head is temporarily stopped when the print head is located above a respective gap that exists between two adjacent components or sections of their outer contours, so that no print material is introduced into the gap.The electronically controlled stopping of the dispensing of printing material can be coordinated with the dispensing of printing material and the 3D printing device in such a way that the adjustment speed of the print head along the printing path does not have to be changed, in particular it does not have to be slowed down when the print head is moved in the direction of the gap.

[0018] In one further development, the print head can be adjusted along the print path across the multiple components (or the areas provided for this purpose on the print platform) at a constant adjustment speed. The dispensing of print material is then only briefly stopped in the gaps provided between the components to be manufactured. The size of the gaps between the components can in particular be specified to be so small and coordinated with an adjustment speed of the print head that the width of the gap is just large enough to ensure that no print material drips from the print head into the gap when the dispensing of print material is stopped. For example, the print head is part of an extruder of the 3D printing device with a rotatable extruder screw through which print material is fed to the print head.The width of a gap between two components is then dimensioned such that the dispensing of printing material can be stopped by stopping or reversing the extruder screw when a gap is crossed. The width of a gap is therefore dimensioned such that rotation of the extruder screw can be stopped when the gap is crossed, without one end of the extruder and in particular a nozzle opening of the nozzle head having to be mechanically closed using a closure element. Of course, temporary closure using a closure element is also conceivable. In this case, for example, an actuator for the closure element is controlled accordingly by the electronic control unit to close and open the gap.

[0019] In this case, the print head adjustment speed refers to the speed at which the print head is moved along the print bed. In a 3D printing device with at least one extruder screw, this typically corresponds to the so-called print speed. This is to be distinguished from the build rate, which is the speed that indicates how many components are manufactured per unit of time, e.g., per minute.

[0020] In principle, multiple rows of components or component sections can be manufactured on the print platform. Each row therefore has multiple components or component sections arranged sequentially along an axis. The components or component sections can be manufactured in rows with their outer contours and then provided with printing material by adjusting parallel print paths within their respective outer contours before the print head moves to another row of components or component sections. In particular, the rows can be arranged parallel to one another, so that the print head only moves along parallel print paths across the print platform in order to (after forming attractive outer contours) print component layers in a layer plane vector-by-vector or line-by-line.By applying printing material in successive layers, it can also be provided that component sections of different rows are connected to one another in the further production process.

[0021] By means of a printing material introduced into a respective filling area, the respective filling area can in principle be filled at least partially with printing material. This is understood in particular that a filling area bordered by an outer contour is optionally completely filled with printing material in a component layer. Alternatively or additionally, at least one inner wall, in particular a lattice structure, can also be formed within the filling area. At least one (additional) volume chamber can be formed in the filling area via at least one inner wall and in particular a lattice structure in the filling area. A corresponding volume chamber can remain as an air-filled cavity in the component to be produced. Alternatively, one or more volume chambers formed in a filling area of ​​a component can be filled with printing material in a subsequent work step.

[0022] In principle, the proposed manufacturing process can be used to produce multiple identical components on one printing platform. However, the proposed process is also perfectly suitable for producing different components that are to be printed on one printing platform in one production process.

[0023] At least one component of the printing material used to produce an outer contour of a component and / or to introduce it into a filling area can be a plastic, a metal or a ceramic.

[0024] The proposed solution also makes it possible to provide a 3D printing device for the additive manufacturing of multiple components on a printing platform of the 3D printing device. Such a 3D printing device comprises, for a layered construction of the components, at least one extruder with at least one print head for dispensing printing material and at least one electronic control unit controlling the extruder with at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory then contains (control) commands which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the extruder to - in a layer plane, for each of the components to be built up layer by layer along an axis of the following components, firstly producing an outer contour via the at least one print head, which outlines a filling area for the respective component, and - subsequently adjusting the at least one print head along the axis in such a way that printing material is introduced into the filling areas of the plurality of components one after the other along a first printing path, before the print head is adjusted again along the axis in order to successively introduce printing material into the filling areas of the plurality of components along a second printing path offset from the first printing path.

[0025] A proposed 3D printing device is therefore configured to print outer contours for the individual components in a first work step when introducing printing material for a layer level of the plurality of components, so that several outer contours for the plurality of components are present within a component layer, before the respective filling areas for the components are subsequently printed by adjusting the at least one print head in a printing path-by-path manner.

[0026] A variant of a proposed 3D printing device is particularly suitable for implementing a variant of a proposed additive manufacturing process. The advantages and features explained above and below for variants of a proposed manufacturing process therefore also apply to variants of a proposed 3D printing device, and vice versa.

[0027] The attached figures illustrate possible embodiments of the proposed solution.

[0028] Here we show: Fig. 1 schematically and in plan view a printing platform of an embodiment variant of a proposed 3D printing device on which several rows of components are additively printed using an embodiment variant of a proposed manufacturing process; Fig. 2 a speed-time diagram for an adjustment movement of a print head for printing the components of the Fig. 1, which the print head performs along a print path; Fig. 3 also in plan view the printing platform of the Fig. 1 a representation of rows of components to be manufactured, which have at least partially geometrically different outer contours; Fig. 4 in perspective view and schematically a 3D printing device with the printing platform of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3; Fig. 5 the printing platform with an illustration of a method known from the prior art for the additive manufacturing of several rows of components on the printing platform; Fig. 6 a speed-time diagram to illustrate the acceleration and braking processes in the method known from the prior art for the additive manufacturing of several components on a printing platform according to the Fig. 5.

[0029] The Fig. 4 shows an example of a 3D printing device 3 with which an embodiment of the proposed solution can be implemented. The 3D printing device 3 has a printing platform P for components to be additively manufactured. A printing unit, or rather an extruder 30 with a print head 300, is provided above the printing platform P. Within the extruder 30, an extruder screw is provided that can rotate about its longitudinal axis and can be used to feed molten printing material to the print head 300. The extruder screw receives printing material from a material feed 32 of the 3D printing device 3. The printing material can, for example, contain metal, ceramic, and / or plastic granules.

[0030] The extruder 30 with the print head 300 is mounted above the print platform P via an adjustment assembly 31 with one or more motor drives. The extruder 30 is adjustable, for example, along two mutually perpendicular spatial axes X and Z or X and Y of a Cartesian coordinate system. Additionally, the print platform P can be adjustable along a spatial axis Y or Z. Frequently, the print platform P is adjustable, for example, along a vertical axis and thus along the Z axis, while the extruder 30 with the print head 300 is adjustable in the XY plane.

[0031] Using the 3D printing device 3, several components or individual components can be additively built up layer by layer on the printing platform P and thus printed. Fig. 4 shows an example of a component 1.1 on the printing platform P. The drives, for example, electromotive, hydraulic, and / or pneumatic drives of the adjustment assembly 31, are controlled via an electronic control unit 33 of the 3D printing device 3, which has at least one processor and at least one memory, so that the component(s) on the printing platform P are built up layer by layer with the intended geometry using the printing material applied to the printing head 300. For example, control commands for adjusting the extruder 30 with its printing head 300 are then provided in the memory of the electronic control unit 33 in order to produce multiple components on the printing platform P in one production process.

[0032] In order to ensure efficient production of several components on the printing platform P according to the top view of the Fig. 5, it can be provided that the components to be manufactured are built up layer by layer in several parallel rows R1 to R5 on the printing platform P. The Fig. Figure 5 shows an example of a grid of 5x5 components. The individual rows R1 to R5 each contain components to be manufactured next to each other along the X-axis. For a first row R1, for example, five components 1.1 to 1.5 are provided, each of which has a rectangular outer contour—at least in the layer plane shown. Each row R1 to R5 thus has a number N X = 5 of components to be manufactured. Furthermore, the rows R1 to R5 are oriented parallel to each other along the Y-axis. In this case, a number of Ny = 5 rows R1 to R5 is provided.

[0033] The components to be manufactured on the printing platform P have a (component) width S along the X-axis Band are each spaced apart by a gap width S T spaced apart from each other. In the production known from the prior art, for example, the components 1.1 to 1.5 of the first row R1 are built up layer by layer completely one after the other. In other words, for example, in the first row R1, a component layer for the first component 1.1 is first completely formed via the print head 300, before the print head 300 completely forms the component layer for the next component 1.2. For each component layer of a component in the first row R1, the print head 300 must be moved back and forth several times along the X-axis until the complete component layer for the respective component is created. In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 5, the print head 300 must, for example, print a number N B= 6 changes of direction to complete a component layer within defined outer contours before the print head then prints the gap of the gap width S along the X-axis T bridged and continues printing the component layer for the next component in the row.

[0034] As can be seen from the speed-time diagram of the Fig. As illustrated in Figure 6, the print head 300 must be repeatedly accelerated and decelerated by external power in order to perform the various changes of direction. After the complete creation of a component layer for one of the components, the print head 300 must then be accelerated again to bridge the S T accelerated and decelerated again.

[0035] A variant of the proposed solution now chooses a different approach to additively manufacture several components on a printing platform P using a 3D printing device 3. According to the illustration of the Fig. 1, for all components 1.1 to 1.5 of a row R1 that are to be manufactured along the X-axis, the respective outer contours K are initially formed in a first work step using printing material applied to the print head 300. Subsequently, in the layer plane for the component layers currently to be manufactured of the components 1.1 to 1.5 of the row R1, the print head 300 is then moved along parallel printing paths across all areas of the print platform P along the X-axis, in which fill areas F for the components 1.1 to 1.5 bordered by the respective outer contour are to be further printed. Thus, for example, in a second work step, the print head 300 initially moves along a first printing path in the +X direction that is parallel to the X-axis (or a printing axis extending in the ±X direction) in order to introduce printing material into each fill area F for the components 1.1 to 1.5.At the end of the first printing path, and thus in the area of ​​an edge of the printing platform P, the printing head 300 performs a circular turning movement and / or a transverse movement superimposed thereon along the Y-axis, in order to be adjusted in a subsequent, third work step in the opposite direction -X along a second printing path offset parallel to the first printing path, and here again - but in reverse order - over all areas of the printing platform P on which the components 1.1 to 1.5 of the row R1 are to be formed. In principle, it cannot be ruled out that an offset along the Z-axis may exist between successive printing paths.

[0036] The gap width S TThe gap L between adjacent components along the X-axis is selected to be comparatively small in this case (for example, in the range of 4 to 12 mm) and is matched to the adjustment speed of the print head 300 along the X-axis. In this case, the extruder 30 can be selectively switched on and off using the electronic control unit 33, so that no printing material is dispensed when a gap L is crossed, and it is not necessary to reduce the adjustment speed of the print head 300 when moving the gap L.

[0037] At the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the components of different rows R1 to R5 are each spaced apart from one another by a distance d along the Y-axis. This distance d can be in the range of the offset of the print paths for the print head 300. For example, the distance d is at least a factor of 2 or greater than the distance between the print paths. Preferably, an offset between the parallel print paths of the print head 300 corresponds essentially or exactly to the width of a path of printing material that can be dispensed from the print head 300. For example, this offset is in the range of 0.6 mm, and the distance d is in the range of 20 to 100 mm.

[0038] As can be seen from the speed-time diagram of the Fig. 2, in the embodiment shown, the print head 300 can be moved along a printing path at a constant adjustment speed after an initial acceleration. The application of printing material to the nozzle head 300 is then always stopped when moving the gaps L to be provided only by stopping the rotation of the extruder screw in the extruder 30. Only at the end of the row R1 does the print head 300 have to be braked in order to be adjusted in the opposite adjustment direction along a parallel offset printing path. In comparison to the manufacturing method known from the prior art, compared to the acceleration processes according to Fig. 6 significantly fewer acceleration and braking processes are required for applying the printing material to the fill areas F of the components 1.1 to 1.5 to be produced. This leads to a significantly shorter production time. For example, the smaller the component width S B and / or the gap width S T The larger the number of N X of components of a row R1 to R5 or the number N Y of rows. The larger the number of components to be manufactured, the greater the time savings with the proposed solution compared to the Fig. 5 and known from the state of the art. For example, it can be shown that in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 5, the achievable time saving is over 25%. For N X= 15 and Ny = 15, this time saving increases to over 50% (assuming S B = 20 mm and S T = 5 mm).

[0039] The proposed solution thus creates an enormous time and cost advantage in so-called nesting, i.e., in placing as many small components as possible on the print platform P, which has not been utilized in conventional extrusion processes for additive manufacturing. The intended filling of the components in a row by print path or vector, in combination with the targeted activation and deactivation of the printing material application on the moving print head 300, thus significantly increases the number of components that can be produced per unit of time via a manufacturing process on a print platform P.

[0040] Based on the Fig. 3 illustrates that, in contrast to the representation in the variant of the Fig. 1 In the course of the proposed process, it is not absolutely necessary that identical components must be manufactured within a row R1 to R5. Both within a row R1 to R5 and between the rows R1 to R5, there may be differences in the components to be manufactured with regard to their geometry and outer contours K and, for example, also in the design of their filling areas F. Fig. 3 shows, by way of example, a combination of a first row R1 with four identical components 1.1 to 1.4 to be manufactured side by side along the X-axis. In a row R2 offset in the Y-direction, components 2.1 to 2.4 are to be manufactured on the print platform P, which components differ in terms of their outer contours K both from components 1.1 to 1.4 and from one another. However, the print path-by-print introduction of print material into the filling areas F bordered by the respective first produced outer contour K is retained here as well. Wherever print material is to be introduced into a filling area F of a component 1.1-1.4, 2.1-2.4 to be manufactured along a print path of the print head 300, the extruder screw of the extruder 30 is driven.For the gaps between adjacent components, the extruder screw is stopped while the print head 300 continues to move along the X-axis without changing the adjustment direction and preferably also without changing the adjustment speed.

[0041] In the Fig. 3 further illustrates a circular turning path with a radius r, along which the print head 300 is moved at the end of a print path in order to achieve the required offset for the subsequent print path. The corresponding turning radius r is greater than a technically minimum feasible turning radius of the extruder 30, which is determined, for example, by the acceleration and the weight of the print head 300 and the implementation of any closure on the nozzle head 300.

[0042] In the Fig.3, also shown as examples, can also be used to produce component sections 2.5a and 2.5b of a component 2.5, which are connected to one another during the manufacturing process, so that they merge into a single (in this case, central) component section 2.5c of component 2.5. Consequently, the component sections 2.5a and 2.5b of different rows are connected to one another during the further manufacturing process, so that they - together with the further component section 2.5c - form component 2.5. This component 2.5, for example, has a Y-shaped cross-section and is intended as a pipe fitting. In the method presented, it is of course also not mandatory that a filling region F of each component layer is completely filled with introduced printing material. When moving along a printing path, the print head 300 can of course also form one or more inner walls, in particular a lattice structure, in a filling region F of a component, controlled by the electronic control unit 33. This allows, for example, hollow volume chambers to be specifically printed within a filling region F. These hollow volume chambers can remain without further filling or can be partially filled in a subsequent work step, if necessary also with a different printing material.

[0043] The proposed solution enables the implementation of an improved infill strategy for additive manufacturing or 3D printing, particularly in terms of time, cost, and the quantity of components to be produced. Corresponding control commands for controlling the adjustment movement of the extruder 30 and thus one or more print heads 300 can be easily implemented via software in an electronic control unit 33 of a conventional 3D printing device 3.

[0044] The basic idea of ​​the proposed solution is further implemented if, instead of an externally powered adjustment of the print head 300 relative to the print platform P (and thus, for example, relative to a print bed), an externally powered adjustment of the print platform P relative to the print head 300 takes place. Furthermore, the proposed solution is not limited to application based on a Cartesian coordinate system. For example, a (printing) axis along which the printing material is dispensed, and thus a printing path, can have a curved course. In particular, a polar coordinate system can be used. A printing path can thus, for example, also run along a circular line and thus along a curved (printing) axis.

[0045] The printing material used to produce the outer contour and / or a filler area can comprise a plastic, a metal, or a ceramic component. In particular, metal, ceramic, and / or plastic granules can be fed to the extruder 30 of the 3D printing device 3. Alternatively, production with filament or by means of wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is also possible. List of reference symbols 1.1 - 1.5, 2.1 - 2.5 component 2.5a, 2.5b, 2.5c component section 3 3D printing device 30 printing units / extruders 300 print head 31 Adjustment assembly 32 Material feed 33 Control unit d distance F Filling area K Outer contour L gap N B Number of lanes N X Number of components per row N Y Number of rows P printing platform r radius R1 - R5 component series S B Width S T Gap width

Claims

[1] Method for the additive manufacturing of a plurality of components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) using at least one print head (300) of a 3D printing device (3), wherein the components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) are manufactured layer by layer and along an axis (X-axis) successively on a printing platform (P), characterized by , that - in a layer plane for each of the components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) following one another along the axis (X), an outer contour (K) is first produced via the at least one print head (300), which outlines a filling area (F) for the respective component (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5), and - subsequently, the at least one print head (300) is adjusted along the axis (X-axis) in order to successively introduce printing material into the filling areas (F) of the plurality of components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) along a first print path, before the print head (300) is adjusted again along the axis (X-axis) in order to successively introduce printing material into the filling areas (F) of the plurality of components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) along a second print path offset from the first print path. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one print head (300) is adjusted in a first adjustment direction (+X) along the axis (X-axis) during the adjustment along the first print path, and the print head (300) is adjusted in a second adjustment direction (-X) along the print axis (X-axis) opposite to the first adjustment direction (+X) during an adjustment along the second print path. [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized bythat in a layer plane, by moving the print head (300) back and forth along mutually offset, parallel print paths over all outer contours (K) for the components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) to be produced next to one another along the axis (X-axis), printing material is introduced into the filling areas (F) of the plurality of components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plurality of components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) are arranged in a row (R1-R5) along the axis (X-axis) and printing material is introduced into the filling areas (F) of the components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) of the row along the first printing path before a further introduction of printing material into the filling areas (F) of the components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) of the same row along the second printing path. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) are each separated from one another along the axis (X-axis) by a gap (L) and during an adjustment movement of the print head (300) along a printing path, in which printing material is introduced into the filling areas (F) of the plurality of components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5), the ejection of printing material from the print head (300) is stopped when the gap is crossed. [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized by that the print head (300) is part of an extruder (30) of the 3D printing device (3) with a rotatable extruder screw, via which printing material is conveyed to the print head (300), and a width (S T ) a gap (L) between two components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) is dimensioned in such a way that the dispensing of printing material can be stopped by stopping the extruder screw when the gap (L) is crossed. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the plurality of components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) are arranged in a row (R1-R5) along the axis (X-axis) and that a plurality of rows (R1-R5) of components (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) or a plurality of rows (R1-R5) of component sections (2.5a, 2.5b) separated from one another in at least one layer plane are manufactured on the printing platform (P). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the filling area (F) is at least partially filled with printing material via printing material introduced into a respective filling area and / or at least one inner wall, in particular a grid structure, is formed within the filling area (F). [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the components to be manufactured along the axis (X-axis) (1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5) are identical or different. [10] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least one component of the printing material used to produce at least one outer contour (K) or to introduce it into at least one filling area (F) is a plastic, a metal or a ceramic.

Images