DEVICE FOR EXTRUSION-BASED ADDITIVE PRODUCING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for extrusion-based additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object, comprising an extrusion device which comprises a melting region for melting an extrusion material and an outlet region having an outlet opening for applying the extrusion material melted in the melting region to a substrate, wherein the melting region and the outlet region are connected to one another via at least one flow channel through which an extrusion material melted in the melting region can flow.

[0002] Corresponding devices for the extrusion-based additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects are known from the prior art in a variety of embodiments and typically comprise an extrusion device which comprises an outlet region having a nozzle-like or nozzle-shaped outlet opening for applying a molten extrusion material to a substrate.

[0003] It is known that closure devices can be assigned to the outlet areas of respective devices, via which respective outlet openings can be closed as needed and thus temporarily, so that an undesired escape of molten extrusion material onto a substrate is not possible as needed and thus temporarily.

[0004] The known closure devices are usually comparatively complex in their functional and structural design, so that there is a need for a device with a simple, yet reliable closure option for the exit area.

[0005] Closure principles for extruder nozzles are known from the documents EP 3 797 971 A1 and US 2020 / 016834 A1.

[0006] Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide an improved device for extrusion-based additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object.

[0007] The object is achieved by a device for extrusion-based additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to possible embodiments of the device.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention described herein relates to a device for the extrusion-based additive manufacturing of at least one three-dimensional object. The device is thus configured for the extrusion-based additive manufacturing of at least one three-dimensional object from an extrusion material, and thus layer-by-layer. The extrusion-based additive manufacturing of at least one three-dimensional object can thus be carried out layer-by-layer using the device.

[0009] An object that can be or is manufactured additively using the device can, in principle, be any three-dimensional object or any section of a three-dimensional object. A three-dimensional object can, for example, be a technical component or a group of technical components. Accordingly, a section of a three-dimensional object can be a section of a technical component or a section of a group of technical components.

[0010] An extrusion material is typically understood to be an extrudable or extrudable plastic material. An extrusion material that can be processed by the device is therefore typically an extrudable or extrudable plastic material. Thermoplastic materials provided as granules are particularly suitable. The term "plastic material" can also include mixtures of at least two chemically different plastic materials and / or mixtures of at least one plastic material with at least one other material, such as a filler material.

[0011] The device comprises an extrusion device which has at least one outlet region, typically nozzle-like or -shaped, for applying a molten extrusion material to a substrate, such as a building board or an already applied layer or layer of the extrusion material. The at least one outlet opening can be formed in a component forming the outlet region or in a component group of the extrusion device forming the outlet region, or can be arranged or formed on or in a separate nozzle component which is arranged on a corresponding component or a corresponding component group of the extrusion device. A corresponding component or a corresponding component group of the extrusion device can, for example, be an adapter component or a corresponding adapter component group mentioned below.

[0012] The outlet region has at least one flow channel through which the molten extrusion material to be applied to the substrate can flow. The at least one flow channel can have an opening forming the at least one outlet opening, particularly in the region of a free end facing a substrate to which molten extrusion material is to be applied during operation of the device. Alternatively, the at least one flow channel, i.e., in particular a flow outlet of the at least one flow channel, can open into the at least one outlet opening; this applies in particular to embodiments in which the at least one outlet opening is formed on or in a separate nozzle component.In any case, a fluidic connection can be formed between the at least one flow channel and the at least one outlet opening, via which molten extrusion material can flow from the at least one flow channel into or in the direction of the at least one outlet opening.

[0013] The at least one flow channel can extend at least partially, optionally completely, through the outlet region along a flow channel axis, which can be aligned with a symmetry or central axis of an extruder chamber or an extruder screw of a melting region of the extrusion device. In particular, the at least one flow channel can extend at least partially, optionally completely, in a straight line through the outlet region and define a straight flow channel axis, which can be aligned with a symmetry or central axis of an extruder chamber or an extruder screw of a melting region of the extrusion device.

[0014] The extrusion device can therefore, as indicated, comprise a melting region for melting an extrusion material. The melting region can be formed at least partially, optionally completely, by an extruder chamber of the extrusion device or can comprise such a chamber. At least one extruder screw of the extrusion device can be arranged or formed in the extruder chamber. The extruder chamber can comprise at least one flow outlet through which molten extrusion material can flow out of the extruder chamber into or towards the at least one flow channel. The extruder chamber can comprise a housing body with a flow outlet through which molten extrusion material can flow out of the melting region in the direction of the exit region from the melting region.

[0015] The at least one flow channel can extend from the flow outlet of the melting region to the at least one outlet opening of the outlet region, so that molten extrusion material can be applied from the melting region via the outlet region, i.e., in particular via the at least one outlet opening, to a substrate. The melting region (if present) and the outlet region are thus typically directly or indirectly fluidically connected to one another.

[0016] As already indicated above, the outlet region can be formed at least partially, optionally completely, by or comprise an adapter component arranged at the at least one flow outlet of the extruder chamber. The adapter component can comprise a housing body. The at least one flow channel can be formed in the housing body of the adapter component, i.e., extend at least partially, optionally completely, through the housing body.

[0017] The device comprises a closure device which is designed to close the at least one flow channel as required or temporarily. The closure device comprises at least one closure element assigned to the at least one flow channel. The at least one closure element comprises a closure element section which defines a longitudinal axis and has at least one flow opening which passes through it, in particular completely. The closure element section can be designed as a bolt-like or -shaped component section which has at least one flow opening which passes through it completely. The same applies to the equally conceivable case in which the entire closure element is designed as a bolt-like or -shaped component, which thus naturally has a corresponding closure element section. The dimensions of the at least one flow opening, ieIn particular, their inner diameters can correspond to the dimensions of the at least one flow channel, ie, in particular, its inner diameter. As will be apparent below, the at least one flow opening passes through the closure element section or the closure element in a direction that differs from the longitudinal direction defined by the longitudinal axis of the closure element section or the closure element.

[0018] The closure element section is movable into at least one open position, in which molten extrusion material can flow through the at least one flow opening, in particular in the direction of the outlet opening, and into at least one closed position, in which molten extrusion material cannot flow through the at least one flow opening. Due to its movable mounting in at least one degree of freedom of movement, the closure element section can therefore be transferred, in particular reversibly, into at least one open position, in which molten extrusion material can flow through the at least one flow opening, in particular in the direction of the outlet opening, and into at least one closed position, in which molten extrusion material cannot flow through the at least one flow opening.Consequently, in the at least one open position of the closure element section, it is possible to apply molten extrusion material to a substrate, whereas in the at least one closed position of the closure element section, it is not possible to apply molten extrusion material to a substrate.

[0019] If the closure element section is movable into a plurality of open and / or closed positions, these can differ in their respective degrees of opening and closing; in particular, there is a first open position, which enables complete opening of the at least one flow channel (degree of opening 100%), and a first closed position, which enables complete closure of the at least one flow channel (degree of closure 100%). In addition, there can be at least one further open position, which enables a reduced opening of the at least one flow channel compared to the first open position (degree of opening < 100%), and / or at least one further closed position, which enables a reduced closure of the at least one flow channel compared to the first closed position (degree of closure < 100%).

[0020] Overall, the closure element described realizes a simply designed and reliable closure device of a device, so that overall an improved device for the extrusion-based additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object is provided.

[0021] In order to implement corresponding movements of the closure element section or of the closure element into the at least one open position and / or into the at least one closed position, at least one drive device, for example an (electric)motor, hydraulic or pneumatic drive device, can be assigned to the closure element section or the closure element. A corresponding drive device can be designed to generate forces or moments and to transmit them directly or indirectly to the closure element section or the closure element, as a result of which the closure element section or the closure element can be moved into the at least one open position and / or into the at least one closed position. In addition, a corresponding drive device can be designed to generate forces orTo generate moments, whereby the closure element section or the closure element can be secured in the at least one open position and / or in the at least one closed position.

[0022] Possible embodiments of the device are explained in more detail below by way of example and can be combined with one another in any way: In one embodiment, the closure element section or the closure element can be movable in at least one rotational degree of freedom of movement. The closure element section or the closure element can therefore be mounted so as to be movable in at least one rotational degree of freedom of movement. The closure element section or the closure element can therefore be moved into the at least one open position and / or into the at least one closed position in a simple manner by turning or rotating about an axis of rotation. For example, the closure element section or the closure element can be moved into the at least one open position and / or into the at least one closed position in a simple manner by turning or rotating about an axis of rotation.The rotation axis can be moved through an angle of 90° from the at least one open position to the at least one closed position and / or vice versa. Rotational movements of the closure element section or closure element can occur in one or more directions of rotation; the closure element section or closure element can thus be movable in one or more directions of rotation.

[0023] In one embodiment, the closure element section or closure element can be movable in at least one rotational degree of freedom about its longitudinal axis. The aforementioned rotational axis can thus be the longitudinal axis of the closure element section or closure element or an axis parallel thereto.

[0024] In one embodiment, the at least one flow opening can extend radially through the closure element section or the closure element with respect to its longitudinal axis. The closure element section or the closure element can thus be provided with an opening that extends completely through it or the closure element radially with respect to its longitudinal axis—this opening can, for example, be bore-like or bore-shaped, thus being designed as a through-bore—through which the at least one flow opening is formed.

[0025] In one embodiment, the at least one flow opening can have a central axis that, in the at least one open position of the closure element section or closure element, is aligned with a central axis of the at least one flow channel. The aligned arrangement or orientation of the at least one flow opening and the at least one flow channel thus provided in the at least one open position of the closure element section or closure element enables uninterrupted flow of molten extrusion material through the at least one flow opening.

[0026] In one embodiment, the closure element section or the closure element can have a plurality of flow openings arranged or formed axially adjacent with respect to its longitudinal axis. The closure element section or the closure element can thus be adapted, for example, to differently dimensioned flow channels via differently dimensioned flow openings. In this case, the closure element section or the closure element can optionally be mounted so as to be axially movable with respect to its longitudinal axis in order to transfer respective flow openings into operating positions in which they can be moved into respective open and closed positions—as mentioned, in particular via corresponding rotary or rotational movements of the closure element section or the closure element about its longitudinal axis.

[0027] The device comprises a bearing device having two bearing points for the movable mounting of at least the closure element section. The bearing device generally enables stable mounting of at least the closure element section relative to the at least one flow channel, thus ensuring reliable transfer of the closure element section or the closure element into the at least one open and at least one closed positions, and thus reliable opening and closing of the at least one flow channel.

[0028] At least one bearing point is arranged or formed on or in an adapter component arranged at a flow outlet of an extruder chamber of the extrusion device. In addition, at least one bearing point is arranged or formed at a distance from the extrusion device, in particular axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the closure element section or the closure element, or at a distance from an adapter component arranged at a flow outlet of an extruder chamber of the extrusion device.In a variant according to the invention with a plurality of bearing points with a view to particularly stable mounting, a first bearing point is arranged or formed on or in an adapter component arranged at a flow outlet of an extruder chamber of the extrusion device and a further bearing point, in particular axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the closure element section or of the closure element, is arranged or formed at a distance from the extrusion device or at a distance from an adapter component arranged at a flow outlet of an extruder chamber of the extrusion device.

[0029] In one embodiment, a housing body of the outlet region, in particular a housing body of an adapter component arranged at a flow outlet of an extruder chamber of the extrusion device, can have a receiving region forming a bearing point at least for the closure element section. Thus, at least one bearing point of the bearing device can be structurally compactly integrated into a housing body of the outlet region, i.e. in particular into a housing body of an adapter component arranged at a flow outlet of an extruder chamber of the extrusion device. A corresponding receiving region can be realized, for example, by a bore-like or bore-shaped recess in a corresponding housing body. A corresponding recess can be arranged or aligned at an angle, i.e. in particular at a right angle, relative to the flow channel axis mentioned above.A corresponding recess can have at least one stop surface, which ensures a desired arrangement of the closure element section and in particular of the at least one flow opening relative to the at least one flow channel. This can significantly simplify the assembly effort of the closure device.

[0030] In one embodiment, a sealing device can be assigned to the receiving area, which has at least one sealing element that surrounds at least the closure element section at least partially, optionally completely, on the outer circumference. An appropriate sealing device can prevent or reduce the undesired escape of molten extrusion material via the receiving area. A corresponding sealing element can be designed in a ring-like or annular manner; a corresponding sealing element can thus be a sealing ring.

[0031] In one embodiment, the at least one sealing element can be accommodated in a receiving space delimited by a sleeve-like or sleeve-shaped receiving body. A pressing device can be assigned to the receiving body, which has at least one pressing element, e.g., in the form of a pressing plate that can be clamped axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the closure element section or closure element against the receiving body, e.g., by screwing, and which is configured to apply a pressing force acting parallel to the longitudinal axis of the closure element section or closure element to the at least one sealing element. A corresponding pressing force can, in particular, act in such a way that the at least one sealing element deforms radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the closure element section or closure element against a wall of the receiving body that delimits the receiving space.The sealing effect of the sealing device—the at least one sealing element, at least in this embodiment, is formed from a suitable deformable sealing element material, such as an elastomer material—can be increased in this way. The same applies to arrangements with multiple sealing elements.

[0032] In one embodiment, the device can comprise a control device implemented in hardware and / or software, which is configured to generate control commands or information for controlling movements of the closure element section or the closure element into the at least one open and / or at least one closed position. Movements of the closure element section or the closure element into the at least one open and / or at least one closed position can thus be precisely controlled by a corresponding control device based on corresponding control commands or information. A corresponding control device can communicate via data communication with a higher-level (central) controller of the device, which, for example, also has a user interface.

[0033] In one embodiment, the control device can be configured to generate the control commands or information based on sensor information supplied by at least one sensor device, in particular relating to the pressure and / or temperature and / or flow velocity of molten extrusion material located in the device. A corresponding sensor device can, for example, comprise one or more sensor elements arranged or formed on or in a housing body of the outlet region, in particular on or in a housing body of an adapter component arranged at a flow outlet of an extruder chamber of the extrusion device.

[0034] In one embodiment, the extrusion device can be mounted so as to be movable in at least one translational and / or rotational degree of freedom of movement relative to a substrate and / or to an object. The extrusion device can therefore be assigned a drive device, for example an (electric)motor, hydraulic or pneumatic drive device, via which a drive force or a corresponding drive torque can be generated that sets the extrusion device in a translational and / or rotational movement relative to a substrate and / or to an object. A corresponding drive device can be part of a handling device which is designed for the movable handling of the extrusion device in at least one translational and / or rotational degree of freedom of movement relative to a substrate and / or to an object. A corresponding handling device can therefore, for example,be designed as a single- or multi-axis robot device or include such a device.

[0035] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for the extrusion-based additive manufacturing of at least one three-dimensional object. The method comprises a step of applying a molten extrusion material to a substrate by means of a device according to the first aspect of the invention. In particular, the method comprises a step of moving the closure element portion into an open and / or closed position in order to temporarily enable and / or temporarily prevent the application of a molten extrusion material to a substrate.

[0036] All statements in connection with the device according to the first aspect of the invention apply analogously to the method according to the second aspect of the invention and vice versa.

[0037] The invention is explained again using an exemplary embodiment in the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a schematic diagram of a device for extrusion-based additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object according to an embodiment.

[0038] The Fig. 1 and 2 show a schematic diagram of a device 1 for extrusion-based additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object (not shown) according to an embodiment in a sectional view.

[0039] The device 1 shown in the exemplary embodiment is thus configured for the extrusion-based additive and thus layer-by-layer production of at least one three-dimensional object from an extrudable extrusion material, such as a thermoplastic material provided as granules. The extrusion-based additive production of at least one three-dimensional object is therefore carried out layer-by-layer using the device 1.

[0040] An object that can be or is produced additively using the device 1 can, in principle, be any three-dimensional object or any section of a three-dimensional object. A three-dimensional object can, for example, be a technical component or a technical component group. A section of a three-dimensional object can accordingly be a section of a technical component or a section of a technical component group.

[0041] The device 1 comprises an extrusion device 2, which has an outlet region 3 with a nozzle-like or nozzle-shaped outlet opening 3.1 for applying a molten extrusion material to a substrate U, such as a building board or to an already applied layer or layer of the extrusion material. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the outlet opening 3.1 is arranged or formed purely by way of example on or in a separate nozzle component 3.2, which in the exemplary embodiment is also arranged purely by way of example on an adapter component group 3.3 of the extrusion device 3.

[0042] As can be seen, the outlet region 3 has a flow channel 3.5 through which the molten extrusion material to be applied to the substrate U can flow. The flow channel 3.5 has an opening communicating with the outlet opening 3.1 in the region of a free end facing the substrate U. In the exemplary embodiment, the flow channel 3.5 thus opens into the outlet opening formed in the nozzle component 3.2. A fluidic connection is therefore formed between the flow channel 3.5 and the outlet opening 3.1, via which molten extrusion material can flow from the flow channel 3.5 into or toward the outlet opening 3.1.

[0043] It can be seen that the flow channel 3.5 extends in a straight line along a flow channel axis A1 through the outlet region, which flow channel axis A1 in the exemplary embodiment is aligned purely by way of example with a symmetry or central axis A2 of an extruder chamber 5.1 or an extruder screw 5.2 of a melting region 5 of the extrusion device 2 accommodated in the extruder chamber 5.1.

[0044] The extrusion device 2 thus also includes the melting area 5 for melting an extrusion material, which, as indicated, is formed by or encompasses the extruder chamber 5.1 and the extruder screw 5.2 accommodated therein. The extruder chamber 5.1 includes a flow outlet 5.3, through which molten extrusion material can flow out of the extruder chamber 5.1 into or toward the flow channel 3.5. In the exemplary embodiment, the flow outlet 5.3 is formed purely by way of example in a housing body of the extruder chamber 5.1 (not designated).

[0045] As can be seen, the flow channel 3.5 can extend from the flow outlet 5.3 of the extruder chamber 5.1 to the outlet opening 3.1, so that molten extrusion material can be applied from the melting region 5 via the outlet region 3, ie in particular via the outlet opening 3.1, to a substrate U. The melting region 5 and the outlet region 3 are thus fluidically connected to one another.

[0046] As mentioned, the outlet region 3 in the exemplary embodiment is formed purely by way of example by the adapter component 3.3 arranged at the flow outlet 5.3 of the extruder chamber 5.1 and the nozzle component 3.2 arranged thereon. It is evident that the adapter component 3.3 also comprises a housing body (not designated) through which the flow channel 3.5 extends, e.g., in the form of a bore.

[0047] The device 1 comprises a closure device 6, which is designed to close the flow channel 3.5 as needed or temporarily. The closure device 6 comprises a closure element 6.1 assigned to the flow channel 5.1. The closure element 6.1, which in the exemplary embodiment is configured in a bolt-like or bolt-shaped manner, comprises a closure element section 6.1.1 defining a longitudinal axis A3, which has a flow opening 6.1.2 completely penetrating the closure element section 6.1.1 in a radial direction and thus in a direction different from the longitudinal direction defined by the longitudinal axis A3 of the closure element section 6.1.1. Fig. 1 it is evident that the dimensions of the flow opening 6.1.2, ie in particular its inner diameter, can correspond to the dimensions of the flow channel 3.5, ie in particular its inner diameter.

[0048] The closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 is in a Fig. 1 shown open position, in which molten extrusion material can flow, in particular in the direction of the outlet opening 3.1, through the at least one flow opening 6.1.2, and in at least one in Fig. 2 shown closed position, in which molten extrusion material cannot flow through the at least one flow opening 6.1.2. The closure element section 6.1 is therefore reversibly movable in at least one degree of freedom of movement due to its movable mounting in a Fig. 1 shown open position, in which molten extrusion material can flow in the direction of the outlet opening 3.1 through the flow opening 6.1.2, and in a Fig. 2shown closed position, in which molten extrusion material cannot flow through the flow opening 6.1.2. Consequently, in the at least one open position of the closure element section 6.1.2, application of molten extrusion material to the substrate U is possible, while in the at least one closed position of the closure element section 6.1.2, application of molten extrusion material to the substrate U is not possible.

[0049] If the closure element section 6.1.2 is movable into several open and / or closed positions, these can differ in their respective degrees of opening and closing; in particular, there is a first open position, which enables complete opening of the flow channel 3.5 (degree of opening 100%), and a first closed position, which enables complete closure of the flow channel 3.5 (degree of closure 100%). In addition, there can be at least one further open position, which enables a reduced opening of the flow channel 3.5 compared to the first open position (degree of opening < 100%), and / or at least one further closed position, which enables a reduced closure of the flow channel 3.5 compared to the first closed position (degree of closure < 100%).

[0050] To implement corresponding movements of the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 into the at least one open position and / or into the at least one closed position, a drive device 11, for example an (electric)motor, hydraulic or pneumatic drive device, can be assigned to the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1. The drive device 11 can be configured to generate forces or moments and to transmit them directly or indirectly to the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1, whereby the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 can be moved into the at least one open position and / or into the at least one closed position. In addition, the drive device 11 can be configured to generate forces or moments, whereby the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.11 can be secured in at least one open position and / or in at least one closed position.

[0051] As indicated by the double arrow P1, the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 in the exemplary embodiment is movable in a rotational degree of freedom of movement. The closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 is thus mounted so as to be movable in a rotational degree of freedom of movement and can therefore be easily moved into the at least one open and / or closed position by turning or rotating about a rotational axis defined by the longitudinal axis A3. Specifically, the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 can be easily moved from the at least one open position to the at least one closed position and / or vice versa by turning or rotating about the rotational axis by an angle of 90°. Rotational movements of the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1.1 can take place in one or more directions of rotation; the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 can therefore be movable in one or more directions of rotation.

[0052] Based on Fig. 1 It is further evident that the flow opening 6.1.2 has a central axis which, in the at least one open position of the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1, is aligned with the central axis A1 of the flow channel 3.5. Due to the aligned arrangement or alignment of the flow opening 6.1.2 and the flow channel 3.5, which is thus provided in the at least one open position of the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1, a trouble-free flow through the flow opening 6.1.2 with molten extrusion material is possible.

[0053] The figures further show that the device 1 comprises a mounting device 7, which has at least one bearing point 7.1, 7.2 for the movable mounting of at least the closure element section 6.1.1. The mounting device 7 enables stable mounting of at least the closure element section 6.1.1 relative to the flow channel 3.5, thus ensuring reliable transfer of the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 into at least one open and at least one closed position, and thus reliable opening and closing of the flow channel 3.5.

[0054] In the exemplary embodiment, the bearing device 7 comprises a first bearing point 7.1, which is arranged or formed on or in the extrusion device 2, ie on or in the adapter component 3.3, and a further bearing point 7.2, which is arranged or formed axially spaced from the extrusion device 2, ie the adapter component 3.3, with respect to the longitudinal axis A3 of the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1.

[0055] In the exemplary embodiment, the first bearing point 7.1 is formed purely by way of example by a receiving area 7.1.1 in the housing body of the adapter component 3.3 and is thus structurally compactly integrated into the adapter component 3.3. The receiving area 7.1.1 can obviously be realized, for example, by a bore-like or bore-shaped recess in the housing body of the adapter component 3.3, which can be arranged or aligned at an angle, i.e. in particular at right angles, relative to the flow channel axis A2. The recess can have at least one stop surface 7.1.2, which ensures a desired arrangement of the closure element section 6.1.1 and in particular of the flow opening 6.1.2 relative to the flow channel 3.5. In this way, the assembly effort for the closure device 6 can be considerably simplified.

[0056] The figures also show that a sealing device 8 can be assigned to the receiving area 7.1.1, which sealing device has one or more annular or ring-shaped sealing elements 8.1 surrounding at least the outer circumference of the closure element section 6.1.1. The sealing device 8 can prevent or reduce unwanted leakage of molten extrusion material via the receiving area 7.1.1.

[0057] As can be seen, the sealing elements can be accommodated in a receiving space (not designated) delimited by a sleeve-like or sleeve-shaped receiving body 8.2, to which a pressing device 8.3 can be assigned, which has a pressing element, e.g. in the form of a pressure plate that can be clamped axially with respect to the longitudinal axis A3 of the closure element section 6.1.1 or of the closure element 6.1 against the receiving body 8.2, e.g. by screwing, and which is configured to apply a pressing force acting parallel to the longitudinal axis A3 of the closure element section 6.1.1 or of the closure element 6.1 to the sealing elements 8.1. A corresponding pressing force can act in particular in such a way that the sealing elements 8.1 are deformed radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A3 of the closure element section 6.1.1 or of the closure element 6.1 against a wall of the receiving body 8.2 delimiting the receiving space.The sealing effect of the straightening device 8 can be increased in this way.

[0058] Finally, the exemplary embodiment shows that the device 1 can comprise a control device 9 implemented in hardware and / or software, which is configured to generate control commands or information for controlling movements of the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 into the at least one open and / or at least one closed position. Movements of the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 into the at least one open and / or at least one closed position can thus be precisely controlled by the control device 9 based on corresponding control commands or information. The control device 9 can communicate via data communication with a higher-level (central) controller (not shown) of the device 1, which, for example, also has a user interface.

[0059] The control device 9 can be configured to generate the control commands or information based on sensor information supplied by at least one sensor device 10, in particular relating to the pressure and / or temperature and / or flow velocity of molten extrusion material located in the device 1. The sensor device 10 can, for example, comprise one or more sensor elements 10.1 arranged or formed on or in a housing body of the adapter component.

[0060] Although not shown in the exemplary embodiment, the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 can have a plurality of flow openings 6.1.2 arranged or formed axially adjacent with respect to its longitudinal axis A3. The closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 can thus be adapted, for example, to differently dimensioned flow channels 3.5 via differently dimensioned flow openings 6.1.2. In this case, the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 can, if necessary, be mounted so as to be axially movable with respect to its longitudinal axis A3 in order to transfer respective flow openings 6.1.2 into operating positions in which they can be moved into respective open and closed positions - as mentioned, in particular via corresponding rotary or rotational movements of the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 about its longitudinal axis A3.

[0061] The extrusion device 2 can be mounted so as to be movable in at least one translational and / or rotational degree of freedom of movement relative to the substrate U and / or to an object. The extrusion device 2 can therefore be assigned a drive device (not shown), for example an (electric)motor, hydraulic or pneumatic drive device, via which a drive force or a corresponding drive torque can be generated that sets the extrusion device 2 in a translational and / or rotational movement relative to the substrate U and / or to an object. A corresponding drive device can be part of a handling device (likewise not shown) which is designed for the movable handling of the extrusion device 2 in at least one translational and / or rotational degree of freedom of movement relative to the substrate U and / or to an object. A corresponding handling device can therefore, for example,be designed as a single- or multi-axis robot device or include such a device.

[0062] With the Figures A method for extrusion-based additive manufacturing of at least one three-dimensional object can be implemented using the device 1 shown. The method comprises a step of applying a molten extrusion material to a substrate U and can comprise a step of moving the closure element section 6.1.1 or the closure element 6.1 into an open and / or closed position in order to temporarily enable and / or temporarily prevent the application of a molten extrusion material to a substrate U.

Claims

1. Device (1) for extrusion-based additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object comprising an extrusion device (2) comprising an exit area (3) having at least one outlet opening (3.1) for applying a molten extrusion material to a substrate (U), wherein the exit area (3) comprises at least one of the molten extrusion material to be applied to the substrate (U) throughflowable flow channel (3.5), and a closure element (6.1) associated with at least one flow channel (3.5), which has a closure element section (6.1.1) defining a longitudinal axis (A3) and at least one throughflow opening (6.1.2) passing through the closure element section (6.1.1), wherein the closure element section (6.1.1) can flow in at least one open position, in which in the molten extrusion material through the at least one throughflow opening (6.1.2), and in at least one closing position, in which molten extrusion material cannot flow through at least one throughflow opening (6.1.2), is movable, characterized by a storage device (7) having two bearing positions (7.1, 7.2) for movable storage of the closure element portion (6.1.1), wherein at least one first bearing position (7.1) is arranged or formed at or in an adapter component (3.3) arranged at a flow outlet (5.3) of an extruder chamber (5.1) of the extrusion device (2) and at least one second bearing position (7.2) is spaced or formed from the adapter component (3.3) arranged at the flow outlet (5.3) of the extruder chamber (5.1) of the extrusion device (2).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the closure member portion (6.1.1) is movable in at least one rotational degree of freedom of movement.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the closure member portion (6.1.1) is movable in at least one rotational degree of freedom of movement around its longitudinal axis (A3).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one flow opening (6.1.2) penetrates the closure member portion (6.1.1) radially with respect to its longitudinal axis (A3).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one flow opening (6.1.2) has a central axis, which aligns in the at least one open position of the closure member portion (6.1.1) with a central axis (A1) of the at least one flow channel (3.5).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure member portion (6.1.1) comprises a plurality of axially arranged or formed flow openings (6.1.2) adjacent to its longitudinal axis (A3).

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a housing body of the extrusion device (2) or a housing body of an adapter component (3.3) arranged at a flow outlet (5.3) of an extruder chamber (5.1) of the extrusion device (2) has a receiving region (7.1.1) forming a bearing point for the closure member portion (6.1.1).

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the receiving region (7.1.1) is associated with a sealing device (8), which has at least one sealing element (8.1) surrounding the sealing element portion (6.1.1) at least in part, optionally completely, on the outer circumferential side.

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one sealing element (8.1) is received in a receiving space limited by a sleeve-like or -shaped receiving body (8.2), wherein the receiving body (8.2) is associated with a pressing means, which is arranged to apply a parallel to the longitudinal axis (A3) of the closure element portion (6.1.1) acting pressing force on the at least one sealing element (8.1), in particular such that the at least one sealing element (8.1) is deformed radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the closure element portion (6.1.1) against a wall of the receiving body (8.1) limiting the receiving space.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control device (9), is set up to generate control information for controlling movements of the closure member portion (6.1.1) into the at least one open and / or into the at least one closing position.

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the control device (9) is set up to generate the control information based on at least one sensor device (10) supplied sensor information, in particular with regard to the pressure and / or the temperature and / or the flow velocity of the melted extrusion material located in the device (1).

12. A method for extrusion-based additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object comprising melting an extrusion material and applying the molten extrusion material to a substrate by means of an apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.