SUPPORT GEOMETRY

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a three-dimensional object with a support geometry, which can be produced from plasticizable and / or solidifiable mass with at least one planar covering structure over at least one cavity, with the features according to claim 1.

[0002] The term "plasticizable material" is to be interpreted broadly and includes, in particular, but not exclusively, plastics, silicone, and other thermoplastic and / or elastomeric materials, as well as ceramic, metallic, and / or powdered materials, paper, cellulose, starch, cork, etc., and also mixtures of such plasticizable materials. In principle, this can also refer to previously plasticized materials or plastic masses that harden spontaneously or with the aid of additives after application. Recycled materials can also be used.

[0003] When the application refers to "drops," it generally means drops from a discontinuous mass discharge (due to a closable nozzle / pulsing), while the term "strand" or "strands" is used when referring to a continuous mass discharge (open nozzle). Both can be combined.

[0004] In extrusion-based additive manufacturing, it is possible under certain conditions to bridge a certain distance between two points with extruded material without any support. This is also known as "bridging" among experts. This means that the extruded material strand or volume is laid down in the air over a certain distance x without support. If the distance x is too great, the extruded material strand can sag.

[0005] The bridging technique is used to create supporting component transitions with little to no support structures, thus saving both material and build time. This technique is also used when component volumes are not built as solid volumes, but rather with a grid structure, such as triangles or honeycombs. All these structures are typically applied globally to the object and share the common characteristic of representing points or lines to be bridged.

[0006] In some cases, the transition occurs directly from a component layer built with a grid structure to a solid layer. Additionally, component layers with a minimal narrowing of the grid width are sometimes created in between to prevent or reduce overhang of the topmost component layer. Furthermore, several topmost layers are sometimes stacked on top of each other to flatten any overhanging layers, if present.

[0007] Grid structures are also used in full-volume support geometries. Support geometries serve to brace component overhangs. This allows components with any geometry to be built layer by layer and exhibit very complex shapes. The support geometry should ensure sufficient stability for the component during the process. Using grid or line fills not only saves material but also build time while maintaining functionality. So-called tree structures are also generated as support geometry, ensuring that there are enough points or lines to bridge on the surface to be supported.

[0008] When full-volume support structures are used, the post-processing time is significantly affected. Since water-soluble materials are often used as support material, the dissolution time in a warm water bath is relatively long due to the high density, and for some building materials, prolonged storage in a very humid environment is not advantageous. Due to the long processing times and the high demand for soluble material, the support geometry thus has a direct impact on the overall cost of the component.

[0009] If multiple dispensing nozzles are present, support structures can be made from a different material than the object being manufactured. During the manufacturing process, the bond between the support material and the component material is strong enough to prevent detachment. After the manufacturing process, however, this bond can be cleanly and non-destructively separated.

[0010] All support geometries used that do not have a full volume infill share the common characteristic that there are no closed, planar layers for directly supporting a fully infilled component layer. Gaps must always be bridged, even if transition layers with a narrower grid width are present. This is particularly disadvantageous when bridging is not possible.

[0011] An example of such a solution can be found in WO 2019 / 0222230 A1. This document describes a self-supporting lattice structure with high strength-to-weight ratios. It provides an additively manufactured structure comprising a self-supporting lattice formed by a multitude of unit cells. Furthermore, each unit cell contains a symmetrical frame with cavities or cutouts extending through each of the frame's faces to define a negative space. This negative space significantly reduces the density and overall weight of the self-supporting lattice structure.

[0012] From US patent 2021 / 0221045 A1, a support geometry for producing a three-dimensional object from a plasticizable and / or solidifiable mass is known, which can be produced by depositing droplets. The geometry includes at least one planar top structure over a cavity and at least one support structure extending from a substrate through the cavity to the planar top structure. One or more superimposed support levels of the support structure each contain a number of p ≥ 1 droplets of the mass with identical diameters. The support structure is widened towards the planar top structure by applying at least one widening layer to the last support level. The number of widening layers extending towards the top structure and the base structure can vary, with the widening layers widening towards the planar top structure when multiple widening layers are arranged one above the other.

[0013] US patent 2020 / 0108442 A1 describes a device for producing a three-dimensional article by additive manufacturing, comprising a processor and an information storage device that stores software instructions.In response to the processor's execution, the software instructions cause the device to: receive initial data defining the three-dimensional article with an outer surface; define a shell with the outer surface of the three-dimensional article and an opposing inner surface defining an inner cavity; define a transition zone between the inner surface of the shell and a boundary region located within the inner cavity and generally following the inner surface of the shell; define a grid of arranged unit cells filling the interior of the boundary region, the grid being defined by connected grid segments; and define transition segments coupling the grid to the inner surface of the shell.

[0014] US patent 2021 / 0370606 A1 discloses systems and methods for generating stepped lattice structures that can be used as infill for additively manufactured articles. Modified polygon packing algorithms are adapted for, e.g., circles, using tailored cutting and field-based smoothing. These algorithms adjust the size of the circles based on physical field data to adapt the infill generation process to the field expected by the article. The resulting molecular dynamic lattice infill is based on force balancing of a node distribution rather than a circular packing. The field data can be used to adjust the spacing of the node distribution according to a force equilibrium model that considers the aforementioned field.The resulting non-uniform honeycomb structures, created through customized cutting, field-based smoothing, and force balancing, robustly and efficiently address the connection problems associated with traditional non-uniform grid structures.

[0015] WO 2020 / 0091858 A1 describes the fabrication of three-dimensional objects with lattice girders that can be chemically removed. The fabrication process involves forming the object from a powder in a powder bed deposition area of ​​an additive manufacturing device. An open-cell lattice, comprising an unbound region and a bound region, is formed in conjunction with at least one part of the object. The bound region of the open-cell lattice is adapted to confine the part within the powder bed deposition area. The unbound region is adapted to form a cavity capable of receiving an etching agent.

[0016] DE 696 25 220 T2 discloses a method or device for building up an object layer by layer, wherein the layers contain droplets. In the method, arc-like supports are formed between an upward-pointing surface and a downward-pointing surface. The exact structure of the droplets deposited layer by layer to form the arc-like supports is not disclosed, in particular not the specific arrangement of the droplets, their sizes, and their spacing within the layers of the arc-like supports. The droplet density within a downward-pointing surface and within an upward-pointing surface is higher than within a support, with the droplet density being higher in the boundary regions between the supports and the downward-pointing surface or upward-pointing surface, i.e., at the respective edges of the support and the downward-pointing surface or upward-pointing surface.

[0017] DE 195 07 881 A1 discloses a method for supporting an object manufactured by stereolithography or another prototype manufacturing process, with at least one support structure that is lighter than a support structure consisting of solid, upright walls, possibly with notches at the top and / or bottom. The support structures have spherical elements arranged within them, which widen towards the top, and intermediate walls arranged between each of the spherical elements.

[0018] Starting from this prior art, the invention is based on the objective of specifying a lightweight support geometry that prevents a planar cover structure of a three-dimensional object made of plasticizable and / or solidifiable mass from sagging during its manufacture and enables an overall short construction time.

[0019] This is achieved with a three-dimensional object having a support geometry according to the features of claim 1. The advantage of the invention lies in the creation of a lightweight support geometry that requires less material compared to solid support bodies, yet still prevents the planar top structure of the three-dimensional object made of plasticizable and / or solidifiable material from sagging during its manufacture and enables an overall short construction time.

[0020] The diameters of the drops and / or strands can preferably be identical, which contributes to a uniform planar design of the planes; however, other designs are possible.

[0021] Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

[0022] Preferably, the drops and / or strands of the support plane and / or broadening plane are arranged exclusively one-dimensionally in a row next to each other, so that any planar structure of these planes can advantageously be formed by then arranging further support structures with their support planes and / or broadening planes next to these one-dimensional rows.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, to improve the support effect, several support structures with identical or different numbers p, q of droplets and / or strands of the support planes and widening planes are arranged two-dimensionally side by side in a cluster, wherein the lateral distance between the widening planes of the support structures directly adjacent to the three-dimensional object is smaller than the diameter of a droplet and / or strand used to produce the three-dimensional object. This advantageously ensures planar support, thus creating the structural prerequisites for preventing unwanted sagging.

[0024] Preferably, to further improve the support effect, several clusters of the support structures are arranged side by side, with the lateral distance between the widening planes of the clusters directly adjacent to the three-dimensional object being smaller than the diameter of a drop and / or strand used to produce the three-dimensional object. This advantageously creates support against unwanted sagging.

[0025] Preferably, adjacent drops and / or strands of the broadening planes, which directly border the three-dimensional object, abut each other. This has the advantage that the adjacent (surface) of the three-dimensional object is fully supported, thus achieving the greatest possible support effect.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, in which the self-supporting of the support geometry is advantageously improved, the edges of the superimposed widening planes form an angle with the edges of the support planes that extends to the self-supporting angle of the material of the support geometry and / or has an angle of at least 45°. The self-supporting angle of the material is the angle up to which a material can be applied overhanging without a support structure.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, which advantageously improves the support effect of the support geometry, at least one further reinforcement plane identical to the widest widening plane is arranged. This provides additional stiffening to this plane, which typically adjoins the three-dimensional object, and thus makes it less deformable.

[0028] In order to advantageously improve the support effect of the support geometry while simultaneously saving material, adjacent support structures and / or clusters of support structures are arranged in a grid-like manner, i.e., connected to each other.

[0029] Preferably, the number of widening planes of adjacent support structures or clusters of support structures correlates with the distance between the support structures or clusters of support structures.

[0030] To preferably improve the removal of the support structure after fabrication of the three-dimensional object, the support structure is made of a different plasticizable and / or hardenable material than the three-dimensional object itself. By selecting an appropriate material, the removal of the support structure can be advantageously influenced in favor of the material of the three-dimensional object.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the support geometry, which advantageously improves the properties of the three-dimensional object to be produced, the support structure is removable from the three-dimensional object, preferably liquid-soluble, and in particular water-soluble. This can be, in particular, pure water or an alkali dissolved in water.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the support geometry which improves the production of the three-dimensional object, at least one height plane to which / from which one of the support structures extends differs from at least one other height plane of one of the other support structures to which / from which it extends.

[0033] Advantageously, this allows for the inclusion of different planes, and thus subsequent surfaces, within the three-dimensional object, to which the respective support geometry extends. These planes can have any shape.

[0034] The invention will now be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. The figures shown are: Fig. 1 a support geometry in side view or section, Fig. 2a a support geometry consisting exclusively of adjacent drops and strands in top view, Fig. 2b a support geometry with square-arranged drops in top view, Fig. 2c a support geometry with an odd number of adjacent drops in top view, Fig. 3 a three-dimensional object with a support geometry consisting of two support structures in side view, Figs. 4, 5 a three-dimensional object with a support geometry consisting of three support structures in side view in two embodiments, Fig. 6 a three-dimensional object with a support geometry in side view. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0035] The invention will now be explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the inventive concept to a specific arrangement. Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that it is not limited to the respective components of the device or the respective process steps, as these components and processes can vary. The terms used here are intended solely to describe particular embodiments and are not used restrictively. Furthermore, where the singular or indefinite articles are used in the description or in the claims, this also refers to the plural of these elements, unless the overall context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0036] The figures show support geometries in various embodiments, which are designed to support (top) surfaces of the three-dimensional object, at least in the construction state, during the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, which are arranged over a free space or cavity 9 and are in particular no longer able to support themselves with the self-support angle of the processed mass.

[0037] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a support geometry 1 according to the invention in a side view (xz view of a three-dimensional xyz coordinate system) with three support structures 2. The support structures 2 have at least one support plane 22 and at least one widening plane 24. The widening plane 24 further has a transition layer 3 and a preferably fully filled cover layer 4. Support structures 2 can also exist in which a widening plane 24 does not have a fully filled cover layer 4 in order to save weight. The support planes 22 and widening planes 24 consist of drops and / or strands or mass volumes of a plasticizable and / or solidifiable mass.

[0038] The support plane 22 and the widening plane 24 can be designed differently in the xy-view of the xyz coordinate system, as shown by the Figs. 2a to 2c show. Fig. 2ashows a top view of a support geometry 1 in which a widening plane 24 consists exclusively of a number of drops and / or strands arranged side by side in a row. Fig. 2b Figure 1 shows a top view of a support geometry 1, in which a widening plane 24 consists of a square arrangement of drops. This support geometry 1 can form a cluster by arranging several identical support structures 2 side by side. The number p, q of drops and / or strands in the support planes 22 and widening planes 24 are generally identical in each row. Fig. 2c Figure 1 shows a top view of a support geometry 1, in which a widening plane 24 consists of different support structures 2 arranged side by side, which also form a cluster. The rows of support structures 2 have different numbers p, q of drops.

[0039] The Figs. 3 to 6The figure shows a support geometry 1 for producing a three-dimensional object 5 from a plasticizable and / or solidifiable mass, which can be produced by extruding drops and / or strands with preferably identical diameters. Different diameters can also be used in principle, although identical diameters advantageously form a flat surface. The support geometry 1 has at least one planar cover structure 7 over at least one cavity 9. It comprises at least one support structure 2, which extends from a substrate 6 or a planar base structure 8 of the three-dimensional object 5 through the at least one cavity 9 to the planar cover structure 7. The support geometry 1 is made from the same or a different droplet-shaped and / or strand-shaped plasticizable and / or solidifiable mass as the three-dimensional object 5.

[0040] One or more superimposed support layers 22 of the support structure 2 each contain a number p ≥ 1 of drops and / or strands of the plasticizable and / or solidifiable mass, preferably with identical diameters, wherein, for p > 1, the drops and / or strands may preferably be arranged exclusively one-dimensionally in a row next to each other. With such an embodiment, multidimensional structures can be designed as desired by any arrangement of support layers. The drops and / or strands arranged next to each other in the support layers 22 are spaced apart from each other at a distance that is smaller than the diameter of the drop and / or strand.

[0041] To achieve a support function according to the invention, the at least one support structure 2 is widened towards the planar cover structure 7 and / or the planar base structure 8 by applying at least one widening layer 24 to the respective last support level 22. The number of widening layers 24 extending towards the cover structure 7 and base structure 8 can vary. With several widening layers 24 arranged one above the other, each widening layer 24 extends towards the planar cover structure 7 and / or base structure 8.Each broadening plane 24 contains a number of q = n + p drops and / or strands of the plasticizable and / or solidifiable mass with identical diameters corresponding to the support planes 22, wherein the drops and / or strands can preferably be arranged one-dimensionally in a row next to each other in the broadening planes 24, and wherein n is the ordinal number of the respective broadening plane 24. Planes that do not broaden further can also be arranged between different broadening planes; that is, one or more planes of the same size can be arranged one above the other before the next broadening plane further broadens the area.

[0042] Spreading can occur both upwards (towards the top layer) and downwards (towards the soil layer), or in both directions. The "final support level" can be the last one above and / or below, onto which one or more spreading levels are applied. Thus, the atomic number "n" can increase both upwards and downwards. The first spreading level on the support level therefore has the atomic number 1, the second spreading level the atomic number 2, and so on.

[0043] For example, the first broadening level 24 contains q = 1 + p drops, while the second or next level contains q = 2 + p drops. This is analogous for all further broadening levels 24.

[0044] The adjacent drops and / or strands of the broadening planes 24 are arranged at a distance from each other that is smaller than the diameter of the drop or strand, wherein the drops and / or strands of the broadening plane 24 that directly adjoin the three-dimensional object 5 are arranged at a distance from each other that is smaller than the diameter of a drop or strand used to produce the three-dimensional object 5. Such a distance can also be zero. This prevents sagging of the adjacent surface at these points.

[0045] For larger or heavier or heavily loaded deck structures 7, it is advantageous if at least two adjacent support structures 2 are components of the support geometry 1, as in e.g. in the Figs. 3 to 6 .

[0046] Fig. 4In addition to the widening of the support structure 2 towards the deck structure 7, the diagram also shows a widening of the support structure 2 towards the floor structure 8. This is particularly advantageous with lighter deck structures 7 or with lower loads bearing upon them. This allows the support structure 2 to be made lighter, thereby saving material, construction time, and time when potentially removing the support geometry.

[0047] In the xy-plane of the three-dimensional coordinate system, the support geometry 1 can be formed by a simple one-dimensional support structure 2, as shown in Fig. 2a depicted. In the case of a more complex two-dimensional support structure 2 of the support geometry 1 in the xy-plane of the three-dimensional coordinate system, as shown in Figs. 2b and 2cAs shown, several support structures 2 with identical or different numbers p, q of drops and / or strands of the support planes 22 and widening planes 24 are arranged two-dimensionally next to each other in a cluster. Advantageously, a lateral distance, which can also be zero if necessary, between the widening planes 24 of the support structures 2 directly adjacent to the three-dimensional object 5 is smaller than the diameter of a drop or strand used to produce the three-dimensional object 5. This improves the support effect of the support geometry 1.

[0048] However, several clusters of the support structures 2 can also be arranged side by side. In this case, a lateral distance between the widening planes 24 of the clusters directly adjacent to the three-dimensional object 5 is advantageously smaller than the diameter of a drop or strand used to produce the three-dimensional object 5, and in the smallest case, zero. This further improves the support effect of the support geometry 1.

[0049] For the support effect of the support geometry to be optimal, adjacent drops and / or strands of the broadening plane 24, which directly border the three-dimensional object 5, in particular the cover structure 7, are directly adjacent, as is the case, for example, in Figs. 3 to 5The support of the deck structure 7 is shown. This is particularly advantageous for heavier deck structures 7 or for larger weights resting upon them. This support using a closed surface also results in the best surface quality of the connection surface of the three-dimensional object 5.

[0050] It is particularly advantageous for the self-support of the support geometry 1 if the edges of the n superimposed widening planes 24 form an angle with the edges of the support planes 22 that extends to the self-support angle of the material of the support geometry and / or has an angle of at least 45°. The self-support angle of the material is the angle up to which a material can be applied overhanging without a support structure.

[0051] If the deck structures 7 are particularly heavy or the loads resting on them are particularly large, it is advantageous, if necessary, to arrange at least one further reinforcement level, preferably identical to this one, on the widest widening level 24, as shown in Fig. 5 can be seen.

[0052] If the load on the support geometry 1 from cover structures 7 or weights acting on them is lower, or if the requirement for surface quality is lower, then it is particularly advantageous for the weight and / or the subsequent removal of the support geometry 1 if adjacent drops and / or strands of widening planes 24 or adjacent widening planes 24 of the support structures 2, which directly adjoin the three-dimensional object 5, in particular the cover structure 7, are arranged at a distance from each other that is smaller than the diameter of a drop or strand for the production of the three-dimensional object 5, in particular the cover structure 7. Fig. 6 This is shown in the diagram of the support structure 7 on the right side of the drawing. In each case, a fully filled cover layer 4 of the widening level 24 is omitted, as shown in Fig. 1 shown and in Fig. 6It is not explicitly stated. Nevertheless, it also prevents snagging.

[0053] From a certain degree of load, either from the deck structure 7 itself or from the load it carries, it is particularly advantageous if several support structures 2 and / or clusters of support structures 2 are arranged in a grid-like manner, i.e., connected to each other.

[0054] For both the design and construction time of the support geometry 1, it is advantageous if the distance between two support structures 2 and / or clusters of support structures 2 is adjustable. This enables the production of particularly lightweight or particularly load-bearing support geometries 1. It has been shown that it is particularly advantageous if the number of widening planes 24 of adjacent support structures 2 or clusters of support structures 2 correlates with the distance between the support structures 2 or clusters of support structures 2. That is, with a greater distance between the support structures 2 or clusters of support structures 2, it is advantageous to provide more widening planes 24 and thus also a wider or larger-area final widening plane 24 than with a smaller distance.

[0055] For the load-bearing capacity and / or the fabrication and, if necessary, removal of the support geometry 1, it is also advantageous if the support structure 2 is made of a different plasticizable and / or hardenable material than the three-dimensional object 5. For example, denser or lower-density materials can be used for the fabrication of the support geometry 1, or easily removable materials can be used to enable higher load-bearing capacities of the support geometry 1 or easier destruction / removal of the support geometry 1 when it is no longer needed after the fabrication of the three-dimensional object 5. It is also conceivable that only some of the support structures 2 of the support geometry 1 are made of a different plasticizable and / or hardenable material than the three-dimensional object 5.

[0056] It is particularly advantageous for the properties of the three-dimensional object to be manufactured if the support structure 2 can be removed from the three-dimensional object 5. This can be independent of the density of the material or mass from which the support geometry 1 is made. In practice, it has proven particularly practical if the support structure 2 is liquid-soluble, especially water-soluble or alkali-soluble, and can be removed from the three-dimensional object 5. For example, only some of the support structures 2 of the support geometry 1 can be removed; these may be necessary only for the construction of the three-dimensional object 5 but play no role in the subsequent load-bearing capacity, while other support structures remain in the object.

[0057] For more complex three-dimensional objects 5, especially objects with different ceiling or floor heights, it is advantageous that at least one level, to which / from which one of the support structures 2 extends, can differ from at least one other level, to which / from which the latter extends. In other words, the three-dimensional object 5 can have different (surface) surfaces that are supported at different heights during manufacturing. The shape of these planes or surfaces is arbitrary.

[0058] Fig. 6This is shown. In the left area of ​​the three-dimensional object 5, it does without a base structure 8, whereas such a base structure 8 is necessary in the right area of ​​the three-dimensional object. As a result, the support structures 2 in these areas are arranged at different height levels with respect to the respective last widening levels 24. Reference symbol list

[0059] 1 Support geometry 2 Support structure 22 Support plane 24 Widening plane 3 Transition layer 4 Fully filled top layer 5 Three-dimensional object 6 Object support 7 Planar top structure 8 Planar bottom structure 9 Cavity 22 Support plane 24 Widening plane p Number of drops or strands of the support plane q Number of drops or strands of the broadening plane n Atomic number of the broadening plane

Claims

1. A three-dimensional article (5) comprising a supporting geometry (1), wherein the three-dimensional article (5) is manufacturable from a plasticisable and / or solidifiable composition by a discharge of drops and / or strands of preferable identical diameters, comprising at least one planar cover structure (7) above at least one void (9), comprising at least one carrier structure (2) which extends from an article carrier (6) configured for manufacturing the three-dimensional article (5), or from a planar floor structure (8) of the three-dimensional article (5), through the at least one void (9) to the planar cover structure (7), wherein the supporting geometry (1) is made from the same or a different drop-shaped and / or strand-shaped plasticisable and / or solidifiable composition as the three-dimensional article (5), wherein one or more carrier planes (22) of the carrier structure (2), which are applied on top of one another, respectively contain a number p ≥ 1 of drops and / or strands of the plasticisable and / or solidifiable composition, with identical diameters, wherein where p > 1 the drops and / or strands are arranged in a row next to one another, and wherein the drops and / or strands of the carrier planes (22) arranged next to one another are arranged at a spacing from one another that is smaller than a diameter of the drop or strand, wherein the at least one carrier structure (2) widens toward the planar cover structure (7) and / or the planar floor structure (8) as a result of at least one widening plane (24) being applied to the respectively last carrier plane (22), wherein the number of widening planes (24) extending toward the cover structure (7) and the floor structure (8) may be different, wherein if there are a plurality of widening planes (24) arranged above one another the widening planes (24) widen toward the planar cover structure (7) and / or the floor structure (8), wherein, as they widen, the widening planes (24) contain a number q=n+p of drops and / or strands of the plasticisable and / or solidifiable composition that corresponds to the carrier planes (22), wherein the drops and / or strands are arranged in a row next to one another, and wherein n is the ordinal of the respective widening plane (24), and wherein the drops and / or strands of the widening planes (24) arranged next to one another are arranged at a spacing from one another that is smaller than the diameter of the drop or strand, wherein the drops and / or strands of the widening plane (24) that directly adjoin the three-dimensional article (5) are arranged at a spacing from one another that is smaller than the diameter of a drop or strand for manufacturing the three-dimensional article (5).

2. A three-dimensional article (5) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the drops and / or strands of the carrier plane (22) and / or widening plane (24) are arranged in a row next to one another in only one dimension.

3. A three-dimensional article (5) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a plurality of carrier structures (2) having identical or different numbers p, q of drops and / or strands of the carrier planes (22) and widening planes (24) are arranged next to one another in two dimensions to form a cluster, wherein a lateral spacing between the widening planes (24) of the carrier structures (2) that directly adjoin the three-dimensional article (5) is smaller than the diameter of a drop or strand for manufacturing the three-dimensional article (5).

4. A three-dimensional article (5) according to Claim 3, characterised in that a plurality of clusters of the carrier structures (2) are arranged next to one another, wherein a lateral spacing between the widening planes (24) of the clusters that directly adjoin the three-dimensional article (5) is smaller than the diameter of a drop or strand for manufacturing the three-dimensional article (5).

5. A three-dimensional article (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that adjacent drops and / or strands of the widening planes (24) that directly adjoin the three-dimensional article (5) directly adjoin one another.

6. A three-dimensional article (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that edges of the widening planes (24) that are arranged above one another form an angle with edges of the carrier planes (22), wherein this angle is at most the self-supporting angle of the material of the supporting geometry and / or is an angle of at least 45°.

7. A three-dimensional article (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that arranged on the widest widening plane (24) is at least one further reinforcing plane that is preferably identical thereto.

8. A three-dimensional article (5) according to one of Claims 3 to 7, characterised in that carrier structures (2) which are arranged next to one another and / or clusters of carrier structures (2) are arranged in the form of a lattice and / or line.

9. A three-dimensional article (5) according to one of Claims 3 to 8, characterised in that the number of widening planes (24) of adjacent carrier structures (2) or clusters of carrier structures (2) correlates with a spacing between the carrier structures (2) or clusters of carrier structures (2).

10. A three-dimensional article (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier structure (2) is made from a different plasticisable and / or solidifiable composition from the three-dimensional article (5).

11. A three-dimensional article (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier structure (2) is releasable from the three-dimensional article (5), preferably by being liquid-soluble, in particular watersoluble.

12. A three-dimensional article (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one height plane to / from which one of the carrier structures (2) extends is different from at least one other height plane of one of the other carrier structures (2) to / from which this extends.