Device and method for additively manufacturing a component

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (3) for additively manufacturing a component (2), the device comprising a material output unit (4), for depositing a building material, and an actuator assembly (5), which is designed to move the material output unit (4) over a work surface (6). For moving the material output unit (4), the actuator assembly (5) comprises at least one first horizontal guide (7) and a second horizontal guide (9), wherein the second horizontal guide (9) has an end portion via which the second horizontal guide (9) is connected to the first horizontal guide (7), and wherein the second horizontal guide (9) can be moved along the first horizontal guide (7). A supply line position (P) is provided for a flexible supply line (13) for the building material, which supply line can be connected to the material output unit (4), wherein a second deflection unit (18) is arranged in the region of the end portion, connected to the first horizontal guide (7), of the second horizontal guide (9), and is designed to guide the supply line (13) and, proceeding from an input-side extent which is transverse with respect to the second horizontal guide (9), to deflect said supply line into an output-side extent along the second horizontal guide (9).

Description

[0001] Device and method for additive manufacturing of a component

[0002] This application claims priority from German patent application No. 10 2022 115 249.9, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The invention relates to a device for the additive manufacturing of a component, comprising a material dispensing unit for depositing a building material and an actuator assembly which is designed to move the material dispensing unit, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] The invention also relates to a method for the additive manufacturing of a component.

[0005] Devices and methods for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects are well known for the production of models, prototypes, tools, and end products, for example. Starting materials or building materials in the form of liquids, powders, or filaments made of thermoplastics are deposited by a print head attached to an end effector of an actuator assembly in order to build the object layer by layer based on 3D data of the object to be manufactured. Such a process is also referred to as "generative manufacturing" or "3D printing."

[0006] It is now also known that additive manufacturing processes can be used to produce entire structures or parts of structures (e.g., walls or formwork). The additive manufacturing of components or entire structures can significantly increase productivity in the construction industry. So-called "3D concrete printing" allows buildings to be manufactured faster and at lower cost. Using a 3D concrete printer, concrete structures can be realized quickly and cost-effectively, while offering maximum design freedom.

[0007] 3D concrete printers are typically provided in a so-called gantry design. The material output unit, or print head, is attached to a crossbeam, which in turn runs between two parallel horizontal beams above a work surface. The print head is movable along the longitudinal axis of the crossbeam, while the crossbeam can also move back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the horizontal beams. This enables horizontal movement parallel to the work surface in the designated print paths. To also enable vertical movement, the horizontal beams are connected to corresponding vertical struts, forming a vertical guide rail. This design allows the print head to move in all three spatial directions and additively produce building structures.To supply the material dispensing unit with the building material to be separated, a supply line is required, which is usually a flexible hose (hereinafter also referred to as the "conveyor hose"). In practice, hose management for a 3D printer, especially a 3D concrete printer, can be extremely complex, especially when creating larger objects.

[0008] In the known state of the art, a hose feed is usually provided via a traverse frame elevated above the device or a separate crane, on which a deflection roller for the conveyor hose is mounted. During printing, the conveyor hose is thus guided from, for example, a silo mixing pump via the deflection roller to the material dispensing unit. The height of the deflection roller is intended to reduce the sag between the deflection roller and the material dispensing unit and also to facilitate the return of the conveyor hose.

[0009] The current hose management is extremely complex and error-prone in terms of the structure of the arrangement and the printing process.

[0010] Setting up the assembly presents several challenges. First, the truss and pulley must be secured at a great height, which typically requires the use of a separate crane and skilled personnel. The work must be carried out with extreme precision, as the truss offers no flexible length adjustment and no positioning flexibility. This requires considerable concentration, effort, and time for the skilled personnel at great heights.

[0011] Another problem arises after the traverse assembly is completed in the installation of the conveyor hose itself. Right from the start of the traverse assembly, a tensioning strap or rope must be placed over the pulley, which will later be used to pull the conveyor hose to the installed height. Due to the installation height, subsequently pulling the conveyor hose over the pulley is a very strenuous and risky task, as a comparatively long section of the heavy conveyor hose must be lifted.

[0012] However, the main problem with current hose management arises during the printing process.

[0013] First, the conveyor hose may sag significantly during the printing process. This can cause the conveyor hose to collide with the printed component and damage it. Collisions with other objects on the construction site, or even with people, cannot be ruled out. An even more fatal scenario is that the conveyor hose becomes caught in scaffolding or one of the device's horizontal or vertical guides, causing the scaffold to tip over, resulting in a high risk of injury and damage. Therefore, according to all known state-of-the-art variants, the conveyor hose on the construction site requires a very large, clear operating area and constant monitoring by qualified personnel.

[0014] In addition, the conveyor hose can become twisted during the printing process, for example, around the pulley. This may necessitate interrupting the production process, which disrupts construction progress.

[0015] Last but not least, it may be necessary to temporarily remove the conveyor hose from the device during the printing process, for example, to remove irregular or unexpected blockages in the conveyor hose. This can usually be achieved by a targeted hammer blow to the blocked area, but this requires appropriate accessibility. Removing the conveyor hose from the pulley, and especially its subsequent reassembly, requires a significant amount of time and personnel.

[0016] In summary, it can be stated that the current hose management method requires a high level of personnel deployment on the construction site, thus, among other things, diminishing the advantages of automation, cost reduction, and worker relief that generally accompany additive manufacturing. This is one of the main reasons why additive manufacturing is not yet regularly used in construction today.

[0017] In view of the known state of the art, the object of the present invention is to provide a device for the additive manufacturing of a component with improved management of the supply line for the building material ("hose management"), in particular during operation of the device.

[0018] The present invention is also based on the object of providing a method for the additive manufacturing of a component with improved management of the supply line for the building material ("hose management").

[0019] The object is achieved for the device with the features listed in claim 1. With regard to the method, the object is achieved by the features of claim 25.

[0020] The dependent claims and the features described below relate to advantageous embodiments and variants of the invention.

[0021] A device for the additive manufacturing of a component is provided, preferably a device for the additive manufacturing of structures or components of structures on a work surface or a substrate. The component to be manufactured can, in particular, be part of a structure or formwork. The component can also be a complete structure or formwork. In principle, any components can be additively manufactured according to the invention.

[0022] Within the scope of the invention, structures can be understood as all types of buildings, but in particular protective structures, such as buildings for housing and sheltering people or animals, protective walls, dikes, shelters, enclosures, defenses and fortifications, city walls, and prison walls. However, a structure can also be a transportation structure, for example, a road, a pedestrian path, a bridge, or a tunnel. Supply and disposal structures such as wells, sewage treatment plants, dams, chimneys, or temporary structures can also be additively manufactured within the scope of the invention.

[0023] Within the scope of the invention, a structural component of a building can be, in particular, a functional component of a building, in particular a functionally or geometrically connected part of the building, such as a wall, a column, or a staircase. A building part consisting of several components of the building (for example, a floor or a level of a building) can also be summarized under the term "structural component" within the scope of the invention. The formwork or formwork component described below can also be a structural component within the scope of the invention, in particular if the formwork component or formwork subsequently forms part of the building, for example, the outer part of a wall of the building.

[0024] The proposed device can also be used to manufacture several components, including components that are not connected to one another.

[0025] According to the invention, the device comprises a material dispensing unit for depositing a building material, as well as an actuator assembly which is designed to move the material dispensing unit (in particular to move it over a work surface) in order to deposit the building material preferably layer by layer in predetermined printing paths.

[0026] The work surface can be a subsurface—in the context of the invention, in particular, a building site and / or a foundation on which the component or structure is erected. However, the work surface according to the invention can also be a floor of a multi-story building or a mobile, movable work surface. For example, it can be provided that the structure, including the work surface or subsurface, is transported to its intended installation location after additive manufacturing. In principle, any surface on which the structure can be erected (permanently or temporarily) can be suitable as a work surface within the scope of the invention.

[0027] The material dispensing unit can be designed as a nozzle, print head, or extruder to dispense the building material. The print path along which the material dispensing unit deposits the building material can be calculated based on 3D data of the component. Corresponding process steps are known. The 3D data of the component can, in particular, be three-dimensional CAD data. The component can be represented in the data, in particular, by point clouds, edge models, surface models, and / or volume models.

[0028] A control device may be provided which controls and / or regulates the process or individual process steps of the device.

[0029] For example, the control device can be configured to calculate the print path based on the input 3D data. The control device can be configured, for example, to calculate a virtual model of the component from the 3D data of the component in the well-known STL format ("Standard Triangulation / Tesselation Language") or STEP format ("Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data"). Within the STL format, the component data can be described using triangular facets. The principle is well-known and will therefore not be described in detail. An STL interface is a standard interface for many CAD systems. In this case, the control device can be configured to first calculate STL data for further processing from any 3D CAD data. However, the control device can also be configured to receive and further process 3D data already in STL format.In principle, any other data format can also be provided.

[0030] Regardless of whether the STL data was generated by the control device itself or merely transferred to it, the control device can be configured to convert the component data into printer data for 3D printing (or additive manufacturing) based on the STL data (or other 3D data). This can include, among other things, converting the 3D data or STL data into individual layers to be printed (so-called "slicing"), after which the print paths for the individual layers are calculated to specify the movements of the material dispensing unit.

[0031] The control device can be configured to control the material dispensing unit depending on the printing paths and / or to regulate the application or separation of the building material.

[0032] The aforementioned actuator assembly can be configured to move the material dispensing unit relative to the work surface, in particular above or above the work surface, preferably parallel and / or orthogonal to the work surface. The actuator assembly can also be configured to move the material dispensing unit vertically with respect to the work surface, i.e., to determine the height of the material dispensing unit relative to the work surface. Finally, the actuator assembly can ensure horizontal and / or vertical movement of the material dispensing unit by moving the material dispensing unit along appropriately aligned guides (in particular, the horizontal guides and the vertical guide mentioned below). Insofar as a "vertical" or "horizontal" direction is referred to within the scope of the invention, the vertical direction is relative to the perpendicular to the substrate orto the work surface and the horizontal direction is to be understood as perpendicular to it, subject to tolerance or practice-related angular deviations which do not interfere with the process.

[0033] For the movement of the material dispensing unit by means of the actuator assembly, one or more actuators can be provided, which can be controlled individually or in groups, for example, by the aforementioned control device. Manual control, including purely manual movement initiation, can also be provided – in this case, actuators may even be dispensed with, whereby the actuators can also be designed to support the manually / mechanically initiated movement.

[0034] According to the invention, the actuator assembly for moving the material dispensing unit has at least a first horizontal guide and a second horizontal guide. The second horizontal guide has at least one end section (in particular at least one end) via which it is connected to the first horizontal guide. The second horizontal guide is movable along the first horizontal guide.

[0035] In a further development, it can be provided that the material dispensing unit is movable transversely to the first horizontal guide along the second horizontal guide.

[0036] Advantageously, the material dispensing unit can be moved in at least two translational degrees of freedom to dispense the building material. The ability to move along two translational degrees of freedom allows, for example, a straight wall of a building to be manufactured additively or layer by layer.

[0037] The material dispensing unit can be moved directly or immediately along the second horizontal guide, for example in the manner of a carriage or a trolley that runs along the second horizontal guide. However, the material dispensing unit can also be moved only indirectly or indirectly along the second horizontal guide, for example by being moved directly along any other guide that is in turn directly or indirectly movably attached to the second horizontal guide (e.g. in the manner of a carriage or a trolley), so that the movement of the other guide along the second horizontal guide simultaneously moves the material dispensing unit along the second horizontal guide.

[0038] According to the invention, the device has a supply line position for a flexible supply line for the building material, which can be connected to the material dispensing unit. The flexible supply line can preferably be a conveyor hose for the building material or the building material in fibrous form (particularly as a filament).

[0039] In an advantageous development of the invention, the supply line position can be arranged along the first horizontal guide. However, the supply line position can also be arranged at a different location on the device, for example, along the second horizontal guide.

[0040] It can preferably be provided that the supply line position is arranged outside the printing area or outside the working surface.

[0041] If the supply line position is arranged along the first horizontal guide, it can preferably be provided that the supply line position is spaced from the ends of the first horizontal guide. However, in this case, the supply line position can also be arranged, for example, in alignment with the first horizontal guide or at an end region or end of the first horizontal guide.

[0042] According to the invention, a second deflection unit is arranged in the region of the end section of the second horizontal guide connected to the first horizontal guide and is designed to guide the supply line and to deflect it from an inlet-side course transverse to the second horizontal guide into an outlet-side course along the second horizontal guide.

[0043] Insofar as the term "transverse" is used in the context of the present invention, this is generally understood to mean an angular orientation - preferably, but not necessarily, an orthogonal or right-angled or at least approximately right-angled orientation.

[0044] In this way, the supply line can be routed in a defined manner to the second horizontal axis or the supply line can be redirected in a suitable manner, for example, starting from the supply line position. This provides guidance along the axis, eliminating the need for a separate traverse and deflection pulley.

[0045] Because the supply line is routed along or on the horizontal guide, it is easy to install and remains easily accessible even during operation, for example, for removing blockages. For this purpose, the material dispensing unit can be moved to a home position, e.g., at a low elevation, especially if the vertical guide mentioned below is provided.

[0046] A collision, twisting or distortion can be avoided by the guidance on the axis.

[0047] Furthermore, the space requirements for the supply line are extremely low in the proposed manner. The proposed device can significantly improve the hose management of a 3D concrete printer, in particular. Downtimes, personnel requirements, and the risk of injury and damage can be significantly reduced. However, the invention is also suitable for use with a conventional 3D printer, for example, for guiding the filament to the print head. Insofar as the following explanations refer specifically to a 3D concrete printer, this should not be understood as limiting the invention, but is intended solely to facilitate understanding. The features relating to the 3D concrete printer can easily be abstracted or substituted accordingly and transferred to a conventional 3D printer, provided this is not technically impossible.

[0048] In an advantageous, but optional, further development of the invention, it can also be provided that the device has at least one first deflection unit which is arranged at the supply line position and is designed to guide the supply line and to deflect it from an inlet-side course transverse to the first horizontal guide into an outlet-side course longitudinal to the first horizontal guide.

[0049] Preferably, the first deflection unit and / or the second deflection unit is directly or indirectly attached to the corresponding horizontal guide and is therefore immovable along the horizontal guide at least in the longitudinal direction.

[0050] The first deflection unit and / or the second deflection unit can advantageously deflect the supply line in the area of ​​the supply line position from any desired path on the input side to a defined path along the first horizontal guide. As already explained, the first deflection unit may also be omitted, for example, if the supply line is already routed longitudinally along the first horizontal guide due to a suitable arrangement of the supply line position.

[0051] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the actuator assembly has a vertical guide along which the material dispensing unit can be moved vertically to the work surface (directly or indirectly, for example via a movement of the first horizontal guide).

[0052] In particular, it can be provided that the material dispensing unit is moved in all three translational degrees of freedom in order to dispense the building material.

[0053] In particular, a material dispensing unit that can move along all translational degrees of freedom enables flexible production of any three-dimensional components on the work surface.

[0054] Preferably, the material dispensing unit is moved in at least four degrees of freedom, in particular in all three translational degrees of freedom and at least one rotational degree of freedom. Particularly preferably, a movement along five degrees of freedom (preferably all three translational degrees of freedom and at least two rotational degrees of freedom) and most preferably along all six degrees of freedom can be provided.

[0055] Especially when the material dispensing unit is movable in all translational degrees of freedom and additionally in one or more rotational degrees of freedom, the individual print paths can be deposited with the utmost flexibility. This allows the geometry of the structure or component to be specified in almost any way.

[0056] For example, tilting of the material dispensing unit and / or rotation of the material dispensing unit may be provided during the deposition of the building material.

[0057] In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that a third deflection unit, which is able to guide the supply line and to deflect it transversely to an inlet-side course into an outlet-side course in the direction of the work surface, is connected to the material output unit in such a way that the third deflection unit can be moved over the work surface together with the material output unit or in a movement-coupled manner with the material output unit.

[0058] Thus, the supply line can be transferred from the horizontal axis(es) to the material output unit, preferably independently of direction.

[0059] It can be provided that the material dispensing unit is attached to an end effector of the actuator assembly and is moved along the printing path by the actuator assembly. Preferably, the end effector is designed as a trolley of an actuator assembly configured as a gantry crane unit and is vertically movable along the vertical guide (preferably indirectly by moving the horizontal guide(s) along the vertical guide). Such a system is also known as a "gantry printer."

[0060] In particular, if the device has both horizontal guides including deflection units as well as the third deflection unit, the supply line can be permanently guided on the horizontal axes during operation, up to the connection point with the material output unit.

[0061] In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the first horizontal guide, the second horizontal guide, and / or the vertical guide each have at least one guide strut to form a mutual linear guide and a linear guide for the material dispensing unit. The vertical strut can preferably form a linear guide for the first horizontal guide, the first horizontal guide a linear guide for the second horizontal guide, and the second horizontal guide a linear guide for the material dispensing unit.

[0062] The vertical guide is preferably at least one vertical strut aligned at an angle, preferably orthogonally, to the work surface, along whose longitudinal axis(es) the material dispensing unit is movable (preferably together with the two horizontal guides).

[0063] Preferably, therefore, at least one of the horizontal guides is movably mounted along the vertical strut.

[0064] The first horizontal guide is preferably at least one horizontal support aligned at least substantially parallel to the work surface. The second horizontal guide is preferably a cross member aligned substantially parallel to the work surface and transversely or orthogonally to the first horizontal guide, along the longitudinal axis of which the material dispensing unit is movably mounted. The second horizontal guide or the cross member is preferably movable along the first horizontal guide or along the at least one horizontal support of the first horizontal guide.

[0065] It should be noted here that the actuator assembly can also be a robot or robot arm, particularly an industrial robot. For example, a six-axis robot or another motion system, such as a hexapod or a five-axis system, or even a combination of multiple motion units, can be provided to move the material dispensing unit horizontally and / or vertically. Pivoting and / or telescopically extendable motion units and / or cable pull systems can also be provided to form the actuator assembly. Even in these configurations, routing the supply line along the axes can be extremely advantageous.

[0066] The specific design of the device is not necessarily important within the scope of the invention, even if the invention is particularly advantageous for use with a portal printer.

[0067] The features according to the invention can advantageously be retrofitted to an existing device. For example, an existing 3D concrete printer can be reused and retrofitted with at least one deflection unit to optimize hose management as needed.

[0068] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the first horizontal guide, the second horizontal guide and / or the vertical guide each have a plurality of guide struts running parallel or spaced apart from one another.

[0069] For example, the vertical guide can have a plurality of vertical struts spaced apart from one another on the work surface, which together form a first group of vertical struts. The first group of vertical struts can in principle have any number of vertical struts, for example two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or even more vertical struts (usually depending on the dimensions of the component to be manufactured). Preferably, all vertical struts of the first group are arranged in a line, i.e. along a straight line, in order to form a linear guide for one of the horizontal guides. In principle, however, the vertical struts of the first group can also be arranged along a curved line, for example along the circumference of a circle, in order to form a curved guide path.

[0070] The first horizontal guide may comprise a first horizontal beam. The first horizontal beam may preferably be vertically movably attached to the vertical struts of the aforementioned first group. A second horizontal beam may be provided parallel to the first horizontal beam of the first horizontal guide, which beam is guided along further vertical struts of the vertical guide, in particular along a second group of vertical struts. The horizontal beams preferably—but not necessarily—extend linearly and are arranged parallel to one another.

[0071] A cross member of the second horizontal guide can run between the two horizontal supports of the first horizontal guide, along which the material dispensing unit can be moved directly, for example in the manner of a trolley.

[0072] In an advantageous further development of the invention, it can be provided that the above-mentioned guide struts (vertical struts, horizontal beams and / or cross beams) are each rigid, elongated components, preferably beams, for example steel profile beams.

[0073] Optionally, the guides (vertical and / or horizontal) can also be designed as cables, in particular wire cables, preferably steel cables, within the scope of the invention. For example, the two horizontal guides can be suspended jointly from a steel cable to enable vertical mobility. It can also be provided, for example, that the material dispensing unit is suspended from one of the horizontal guides via a steel cable for vertical movement. In principle, any actuator concepts are possible within the scope of the invention.

[0074] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the supply position is arranged between the ends of the first horizontal guide or the second horizontal guide.

[0075] The supply line position can, for example, be spaced from one of the two ends by at least 1 / 5 of the total length of the corresponding horizontal guide, preferably by at least 1 / 4, particularly preferably by at least 1 / 3, and very particularly preferably at least substantially centrally.

[0076] The more central the feed line position is set, the shorter the feed line length is required to enable guidance along the axis. This can be particularly advantageous because the shorter the feed line, the shorter the conveying time for the building material, whereby the building material can be particularly "fresh" or particularly advantageously processed at the time of deposition. In principle, however, an arrangement of the feed line position at one of the ends of the corresponding horizontal guide is not excluded if the additional required feed line length can be accepted. In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the first deflection unit and / or the second deflection unit is designed to guide the feed line above an upper side of the respective horizontal guide facing away from the work surface and preferably to space it from the upper side.For this purpose, a respective vertical tube arranged between the horizontal guide and the deflection unit can preferably be provided, which can also form an optional axis of rotation for the deflection unit.

[0077] Therefore, guidance is preferably provided above the axis, preferably spaced from the axis. However, guidance can also be provided below the axis (spaced or not spaced) or to the side of the axis (spaced or not spaced).

[0078] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the first deflection unit, the second deflection unit and / or the third deflection unit have at least one freely rotatable guide roller for guiding and / or deflecting the supply line.

[0079] Friction, and therefore the load on the device and the supply line, can be advantageously reduced by using rolling guide rollers. In particular, material removal or abrasion from the supply line can be reduced. The required (pulling) force to move the material dispensing unit or to pull it behind can also be advantageously reduced by the guide rollers.

[0080] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the first deflection unit, the second deflection unit and / or the third deflection unit have at least a first deflection section with a horizontal guide (in particular a guide roller) on which the supply line can rest.

[0081] The first deflection section can optionally also have at least one, preferably two, vertical guide rollers arranged in the region of the ends of the horizontal guide roller. When using two vertical guide rollers, the supply line can advantageously be inserted captively into the first deflection section. The vertical guide rollers can form a lateral boundary of the first deflection section and, preferably together with the horizontal guide or guide roller, lead to a U-shaped, fork-like structure of the first deflection section.

[0082] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the first deflection unit, the second deflection unit and / or the third deflection unit, in addition to the first deflection section, has a second deflection section spaced from the first deflection section, preferably with a horizontal guide (in particular a guide roller) on which the supply line can rest. The second deflection section can preferably be designed like the first deflection section. However, the second deflection section can also have a different design or be omitted entirely. For example, it can also be provided that each deflection section has only one vertical guide roller, each on different sides of the deflection unit, so that the supply line can be inserted into the deflection unit in a captive manner.

[0083] It can also be provided that only one of the two deflection sections has a horizontal guide or guide roller, that none of the deflection sections has a horizontal guide or guide roller, or that a horizontal guide or guide roller is provided between or in front of the deflection sections.

[0084] It can also be provided that the deflection unit widens from the first deflection section to the second deflection section, i.e. that the distance between the vertical guide rollers of the second deflection section is greater than the distance between the vertical guide rollers of the first deflection section.

[0085] In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the distance between the first deflection section and the second deflection section is adjustable.

[0086] For this purpose, at least one telescopic connector can preferably be provided, connecting the two deflection sections. This telescopic connection allows the deflection unit to be fixed at the specified length, but can also be freely movable within defined limits during operation.

[0087] By adjusting the distance between the deflection sections, the maximum bending angle and thus the load on the supply line can be determined using simple means.

[0088] In one embodiment of the invention, it can also be provided that the first deflection unit, the second deflection unit, and / or the third deflection unit are designed as an articulated arm through which the supply line runs. The deflection can be compensated for by one or more joints of the articulated arm, comparable to the principle of an accordion. For this purpose, for example, several short articulated arms in the form of a scissor joint can be provided. Similarly, an energy chain can be provided alternatively or additionally to support and guide / deflect the supply line.

[0089] According to a further development of the invention, the first deflection unit can be fixed along the first horizontal guide, at least along the longitudinal direction of the first horizontal guide or axially, but pivotable and / or rotatable from a central position on both sides toward the ends of the first horizontal guide. When reference is made here to a pivoting movement ("pivotable"), this is to be understood in particular as a tilting movement (also: inclining or pitching) relative to a vertical axis of the work surface.

[0090] In the middle position, the first deflection unit can be aligned orthogonally to the first horizontal guide.

[0091] Due to the possibility of performing a rotating and / or pivoting movement, the first deflection unit can deflect the supply line from the inlet-side path (usually transverse to the first horizontal guide) in a particularly gentle and flexible manner in the longitudinal direction of the first horizontal guide.

[0092] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the second deflection unit is fixed along the second horizontal guide so as to be immovable, but is pivotable and / or rotatable on both sides starting from a central position in which the second deflection unit is aligned along the second horizontal guide.

[0093] Due to the possibility of performing a rotating and / or pivoting movement, the second deflection unit can deflect the supply line from the inlet-side path (usually transverse to the second horizontal guide) in a particularly gentle and flexible manner in the longitudinal direction of the second horizontal guide.

[0094] Optionally, the first deflection unit and / or the second deflection unit can also be designed to perform a free pivoting or rotational movement along at least one further rotational degree of freedom.

[0095] It can be provided that the deflection units, in particular the first deflection unit, have a course which rises relative to the working surface, for example an inclination of at least 10° upwards, preferably of at least 20° upwards, particularly preferably of at least 30° upwards, and very particularly preferably of 40° or more, in particular 45° or more.

[0096] It can therefore be provided that the first deflection unit and / or the second deflection unit and / or the third deflection unit are tilted or pivoted upwards relative to the work surface. The pivot or tilt angle can be fixed. However, the deflection unit(s) can also be movably mounted to allow for variable pivoting, tilting, or inclination, or upward / downward movement.

[0097] It can be provided that the entire first deflection unit and / or second deflection unit is capable of performing the rotational and / or pivoting movement, as described above. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that only individual deflection sections of the deflection units are rotatable and / or pivotable, for example, deflection sections arranged in a V shape, in which case, in particular, the angle between the deflection sections can then be variable. In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the pivoting movement of the first deflection unit and / or the second deflection unit is limited.

[0098] The supply line's path can therefore be defined within defined limits. For example, overstretching, an excessively tight bend radius, or other undesirable path variations can be avoided or at least controlled. A mechanical stop, for example, can be provided for this purpose. A continuously increasing restoring force pointing toward the center position can also be provided, for example, based on a spring that relaxes toward the center position.

[0099] It can be provided that the first deflection unit and / or the second deflection unit and / or the third deflection unit are limited on both sides, starting from the central position, to a rotation angle of a maximum of 80°, preferably a maximum of 70°, particularly preferably a maximum of 60°, further preferably approximately 45° or exactly 45°.

[0100] The rotation limiter ensures the position of the supply cable above the axes or horizontal guides, especially when there are large distances between the deflection units. The rotation limiter also simplifies the safe placement of the supply cable on the support elements mentioned below.

[0101] The rotation limiter also allows the mechanical load on the supply line to be limited at the deflection point, for example to a maximum bending or deflection angle of 45°.

[0102] In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the device has at least one support element which is fastened along the first horizontal guide and / or the second horizontal guide in order to form a support for the supply line which supports the supply line along the respective horizontal guide.

[0103] The guidance of the supply line on or along the axis can be improved by using support elements. The support elements can optionally provide a locking mechanism or center the supply line on the axis and, for example, prevent the supply line from protruding laterally beyond the axis or horizontal guide.

[0104] The support elements can reduce sagging between the deflection units. Furthermore, they ensure that there is no collision with one of the guides. The supply line can be kept at the same height even over longer distances and, if necessary, centered on the axis, which facilitates the retraction of the conveyor hose during printing. Optionally, the support height can be adjusted, particularly through a telescopic attachment of the support element to the horizontal guide.

[0105] According to a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one support element has at least one horizontal guide roller, in particular a freely rotatable horizontal guide roller.

[0106] The guide roller can reduce the friction of the supply line on the support element and simplify the feeding or retraction of the supply line.

[0107] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one support element is wedge-shaped in order to form a recess for the supply line to guide and secure it against loss.

[0108] For example, the support element can have exactly one guide roller which forms a conical or wedge-shaped course along its longitudinal axis or axis of rotation or has a recess for the supply line.

[0109] The recess is preferably formed centrally or in the middle of the guide roller.

[0110] Two horizontal guide rollers can also be provided, arranged one behind the other and tilted relative to each other, so that a wedge-shaped recess forms between the two guide rollers. Each of the two horizontal guide rollers can be freely rotatable.

[0111] It should be noted here that the term "horizontal" guide roller does not require the horizontal guide roller to be positioned exactly horizontally to the work surface. A substantially horizontal alignment may be sufficient. Particularly when two horizontal guide rollers are provided, which together form a central recess for the supply line, the horizontal guide rollers can each be tilted by up to 45°, for example. However, a smaller tilt angle is generally sufficient or preferred, such as up to 30°, up to 20°, or up to 10°.

[0112] It can also be provided that the support element is designed like the deflection sections described above, for example, in a fork-shaped manner. Support over a longer axial section can also be provided, for example, by means of several spaced-apart horizontal guide rollers, several fork-shaped sections, or even a design comparable to one of the deflection units.

[0113] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the first deflection unit, the second deflection unit, the third deflection unit and / or the at least one support element is designed to enable free insertion of the supply line and free removal of the supply line in the vertical direction.

[0114] For this purpose, the deflection units or the support element are preferably open or freely accessible from above.

[0115] Preferably, the deflection units are raised above the support elements. This allows the supply line to be easily inserted into the support elements from above while the material dispensing unit moves along the horizontal axes.

[0116] In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that an annular and / or funnel-shaped guide unit is arranged upstream of the material dispensing unit, which guide unit is movable together with the material dispensing unit above the work surface and is designed to guide the supply line to the material dispensing unit.

[0117] Due to the guide unit, a direction-independent yet gentle insertion of the supply line can be enabled.

[0118] It can be provided that the third deflection unit is attached directly to the guide unit in order to deflect the supply line into the guide unit. To still enable direction-independent insertion, the guide unit can be rotatable together with the third deflection unit about a rotational axis preferably extending orthogonally to the work surface (optionally with a rotation limiter). Alternatively or additionally, the third deflection unit can be rotatable about the guide unit or a rotational axis rigidly coupled to the guide unit (optionally with a rotation limiter).

[0119] In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the device has a feeding device for the feed line which is designed to feed the feed line to the feed line position.

[0120] The feed device may preferably comprise a reel and be designed to unwind the supply line from the reel and / or wind it onto the reel as required.

[0121] The use of a reel or drum for winding and unwinding the supply line can be particularly advantageous, as it allows for compact storage of the supply line on site. Storage and transport of the supply line are simple, and adding an automatic retraction system, as suggested below, is possible without major technical difficulties.

[0122] In an advantageous further development, the feed device can be provided with an automatic retraction mechanism that holds the supply line under a defined tensile force. The supply line can therefore be wound back onto the reel, for example. Depending on the requirements or position of the material dispensing unit, a correspondingly sufficient length of the supply line can be provided. If the defined tensile force of the automatic retraction mechanism is exceeded by a greater tensile force from the printer, the supply line can be unwound from the reel.

[0123] The automatic retraction mechanism can further reduce the risk of the supply cable sagging and / or twisting. The automatic retraction mechanism can be particularly advantageous in combination with the proposed routing of the supply cable along at least one axis of the device.

[0124] It can also be provided that the supply line is moved to the supply line position using several deflection pulleys (preferably three). In this case, the supply line can be deflected several times and only then fed to the supply line position (similar to a pulley system). An optional weight on the lowest deflection pulley can apply a retraction force to the conveyor hose. When the material output unit is moved, the changing bridging distance from the deflection pulley to the material output unit can act through contraction and relaxation similar to a muscle. This compensates for the travel path by changing the distance between the lower deflection pulley and the upper deflection pulleys.

[0125] Optionally, the device can also be provided with an extrusion unit, preferably consisting of one or more driven feed rollers, between which the feed line is conveyed. The extrusion unit can in principle be provided at any position within the device, but preferably at a position upstream of the first deflection unit. It can also be provided that the extrusion unit forms part of the first deflection unit, for example by driving some or all of the guide rollers of the first deflection unit. By using the extrusion unit, the movement of the feed line can be advantageously coordinated with the movement of the material output unit, comparable to the known extrusion modules for filaments of plastic 3D printers.Optionally, the proposed extrusion unit can be height-adjustable (actively or passively), for example by arranging the extrusion unit so that it can move along the vertical guide of the device.

[0126] According to a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the device is designed for the additive manufacturing of buildings or components of buildings.

[0127] It can also be provided that the proposed device is used for the additive manufacturing of a formwork component of a building. The component according to the invention can thus also be a formwork component. In particular, in this case, it can be a complete formwork (i.e., a hollow mold similar to a casting mold) consisting of two formwork components running parallel to each other. In particular, it can be provided that the material dispensing unit is designed to dispense flowable mixed concrete ("fresh concrete") or mortar or dry mortar as the building material.

[0128] Preferably, a concrete formulation with small aggregates is desired. In particular, a concrete that sets quickly and, in particular, has high green strength can be provided. The concrete can also contain one or more additives, for example, to prevent excessive drying, to increase pumpability, and / or to modify the color.

[0129] For example, an aggregate size of up to 10 mm or more, preferably up to 6 mm, particularly preferably up to 4 mm, may be provided.

[0130] As an alternative to using concrete or mortar as a building material, any other building material suitable for the manufacture or construction of structures or their components can also be used, in particular polymer concrete, gypsum, clay, a plastic, preferably a thermoplastic, but also metals or alloys. In principle, any building materials can be used within the scope of the invention.

[0131] In principle, the component can be manufactured from one, two, three, four, or even more raw materials or building materials. For example, different concrete mixtures, plastics, metals, and / or alloys can be combined in any way.

[0132] The material dispensing unit can be configured to dispense the building material in a defined shape, for example, in print lanes with rectangular or rounded edges. The individual print lanes can be rectangular (square or oblong), round, or oval in cross-section, for example. The material dispensing unit preferably dispenses the building material in the intended wall thickness of the component to be printed.

[0133] The material dispensing unit can optionally have lateral guide legs, in particular two opposing guide legs, in order to laterally stabilize and / or shape the building material during dispensing.

[0134] The invention also relates to an arrangement for manufacturing a component, comprising a device for additive manufacturing of the component according to the above and following embodiments (in particular according to claim 1 and the dependent patent claims), and the flexible supply line.

[0135] The flexible supply line can preferably be a conveyor hose for the building material, which delivers the building material to the material dispensing unit in liquid and / or granular form (e.g., as a powder) or in another form. Within the scope of the present invention, the term "supply line" can also be understood to refer to the building material itself if it is fed to the material dispensing unit in fiber form or as a filament. Configuring the supply line as a filament of the building material is particularly common in conventional plastic 3D printing.

[0136] The supply line can, for example, have an inner diameter of 10 mm or more, preferably 20 mm or more, particularly preferably 30 mm or more, for example 40 mm or more, 50 mm or more, 60 mm or more, 70 mm or more, 80 mm, or an even larger inner diameter. However, smaller inner diameters are not excluded depending on the application. An inner diameter of approximately or exactly 50 mm can be particularly preferred.

[0137] The supply line can have a wall thickness of 1 mm to 20 mm, preferably 2 mm to 15 mm, particularly preferably 5 mm to 12 mm, for example 9 mm or 10 mm.

[0138] The operating pressure for conveying the building material through the supply line can be up to 10 bar or more, preferably up to 20 bar or more, particularly preferably up to 30 bar or more, in particular up to 40 bar or more. An operating pressure of up to 85 bar or more can also be provided. The operating pressure can be determined depending on the application, in particular depending on the supply line length, the pressure head, and the building material. The supply line and the other components involved in the device or arrangement can be designed accordingly to withstand the conveying pressure or to generate the conveying pressure.

[0139] The supply line can in particular be a mortar hose.

[0140] The device or arrangement can optionally include a material processing facility, for example, a drop silo and a silo mixing pump. The silo mixing pump can remove the building material in concentrated or dry form in metered quantities from the drop silo and mix it with a defined amount of liquid (especially water). Optionally, an intermediate storage facility for this mixture can be provided. The mixture or the finished building material can then be conveyed to and through the supply line.

[0141] Furthermore, the invention relates to a deflection unit for a horizontal guide of a device for the additive manufacturing of a component (in particular according to the above and following embodiments), which can be fastened to a defined supply line position of the horizontal guide and is designed to guide a flexible supply line for a building material and, starting from an inlet-side path transverse to the horizontal guide, to deflect it into an outlet-side path longitudinal to the horizontal guide in order to guide the supply line to a material output unit of the device which can be moved layer by layer over a work surface along the horizontal guide.

[0142] The invention also relates to a method for additive manufacturing of a component, wherein a material dispensing unit for depositing a building material is moved by means of an actuator assembly (in particular moved over a work surface) in order to deposit the building material preferably layer by layer in predetermined printing paths, comprising at least the following method steps: a) feeding the building material to the material dispensing unit by means of a flexible feed line; b) feeding the feed line transversely to a horizontal guide (first or second horizontal guide); and c) guiding and deflecting the feed line, starting from its inlet-side path transversely to the horizontal guide, into an outlet-side path longitudinally to the horizontal guide by means of a deflection unit (first or second deflection unit).

[0143] Cartesian guidance can advantageously be achieved by guiding the supply line along at least one Cartesian axis along the respective guide (in particular a guide strut). In this case, the supply line is introduced into the device from the outside via a fixed position (supply line position) and guided via the horizontal axis or axes to the material output unit.

[0144] The main advantage of this solution is that sagging can be almost completely eliminated, as the existing horizontal axes can be used as support in the printing area. By using the axes as support, the proposed solution is also flexible and easily expandable if the printing area changes. Furthermore, only minimal tensile forces are required for advancing and / or retracting the supply line, as the supply line can be advantageously held at the same height by supporting the axes.

[0145] The proposed method is particularly suitable for use with a 3D concrete printer, in particular for use with a 3D concrete printer in portal design ("gantry design") to improve hose management.

[0146] Finally, the invention also relates to a computer program comprising control commands which, when the program is executed by a control device, cause the control device to carry out a method according to the above and following explanations.

[0147] The control device can be embodied as a microprocessor. Instead of a microprocessor, any other device can also be provided for implementing the control device, for example, one or more arrangements of discrete electrical components on a circuit board, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another programmable circuit, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic array (PLA), and / or a commercially available computer.

[0148] Features described in connection with one of the subject matters of the invention, namely the device according to the invention, the arrangement according to the invention, the deflection unit according to the invention, the method according to the invention, or the computer program according to the invention, can also be advantageously implemented for the other subject matters of the invention. Likewise, advantages mentioned in connection with one of the subject matters of the invention can also be understood to relate to the other subject matters of the invention.

[0149] It should also be noted that terms such as "comprising," "having," or "with" do not exclude other features or steps. Furthermore, terms such as "a" or "the," which indicate a singular number of steps or features, do not exclude a plurality of features or steps—and vice versa.

[0150] In a purist embodiment of the invention, however, it may also be provided that the features introduced in the invention with the terms "comprising," "having," or "with" are listed exhaustively. Accordingly, one or more lists of features may be considered complete within the scope of the invention, for example, for each claim. The invention may, for example, consist exclusively of the features mentioned in claim 1.

[0151] It should be noted that terms such as "first" or "second," etc., are used primarily to distinguish between respective device or process features and are not necessarily intended to imply that features are interdependent or related to one another. For example, the term "second deflection unit" should not imply that a "first deflection unit" must also be provided.

[0152] Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the values ​​and parameters described herein include deviations or fluctuations of ±10% or less, preferably ±5% or less, more preferably ±1% or less, and most preferably ±0.1% or less of the respective specified value or parameter, provided that these deviations are not excluded in the practical implementation of the invention. The specification of ranges by initial and final values ​​also includes all those values ​​and fractions enclosed by the respective specified range, in particular the initial and final values ​​and a respective mean value.

[0153] In the following, embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0154] The figures each show preferred embodiments in which individual features of the present invention are illustrated in combination with one another. Features of one embodiment can also be implemented independently of the other features of the same embodiment and can therefore be readily combined by a person skilled in the art to form further useful combinations and subcombinations with features of other embodiments.

[0155] In the figures, functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals. They show schematically:

[0156] Figure 1 shows an arrangement for the additive manufacturing of a component, with two horizontal guides and one vertical guide for a material dispensing unit for the layer-by-layer deposition of a building material according to the prior art;

[0157] Figure 2 shows an arrangement for the additive manufacturing of a component, with two horizontal guides and one vertical guide for a material dispensing unit for the layer-by-layer deposition of a building material according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0158] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of an arrangement according to the invention;

[0159] Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the first deflection unit according to an embodiment;

[0160] Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the second deflection unit according to an embodiment;

[0161] Figure 6 shows a detailed view of the second deflection unit in a plan view according to a further embodiment;

[0162] Figure 7 shows a detailed view of the third deflection unit including the guide unit according to an embodiment;

[0163] Figure 8 shows a detailed view of a support element according to an embodiment; and

[0164] Figure 9 shows a further variant of a support element according to the invention.

[0165] Figure 1 shows an arrangement 1 for the additive manufacturing of a component 2 according to the prior art. The arrangement 1 comprises a device 3 for the additive manufacturing of the component 2, with a material dispensing unit 4 (only schematically indicated) for depositing a building material and an actuator assembly 5 configured to move the material dispensing unit 4 across a work surface 6 in order to deposit the building material layer by layer in predetermined printing paths D.

[0166] The invention is described below in particular in the context of 3D concrete printing, i.e., for the additive manufacturing of a component 2 of a building or of a complete building from flowable concrete. However, this is not to be understood as limiting. The invention is fundamentally suitable for the production of any additive components from any building material, in particular for the production of plastic components.

[0167] To move the material dispensing unit 4, the actuator assembly 5 has at least one first horizontal guide 7, which in Figure 1 and the subsequent embodiments consists of two horizontal beams 8 arranged parallel and spaced from one another. A second horizontal guide 9 is provided between these two horizontal beams 8, which is thus linearly movable along the first horizontal guide 7. The second horizontal guide 9 is designed as a single cross beam 10, along which the material dispensing unit 4 can be moved like a trolley, i.e., transversely to the first horizontal guide 7. The two horizontal guides 7, 9 ultimately enable a two-dimensional movement of the material dispensing unit 4 above the work surface 6 (see arrows "x" and "y").

[0168] Additionally, the actuator assembly 5 according to Figure 1 and the subsequent embodiments has a vertical guide 11, along which the material dispensing unit 4 can be moved vertically relative to the work surface 6. Specifically, the vertical guide 11 can have two groups of vertical struts 12, wherein the vertical struts 12 of each group are spaced apart from one another and arranged in alignment with one another, and wherein both groups are spaced apart from one another. Thus, the first horizontal guide 7 or the horizontal supports 8 of the first horizontal guide 7 can be moved along the vertical struts 12 of the respective group (see arrow "z").

[0169] Figure 1 and the exemplary embodiments thus depict a 3D concrete printer in a gantry design, each with a linear axis guide. This enables movement of the material dispensing unit 4 along all translational degrees of freedom x, y, and z. Gantry printers, particularly those for producing concrete components 2, are already known in principle, which is why additional details will not be discussed further here.

[0170] The aim of the present invention is to improve the hose management or to improve the guidance of a flexible supply line 13 for the building material to the material dispensing unit 4. The supply line 13, in the exemplary embodiments a conveyor hose for dry mortar, is indicated by dashed lines in Figures 1 and 2.

[0171] According to the prior art, a cross member 14 is provided, for example, mounted on two of the vertical struts 12 of the vertical guide 11, from which a deflection pulley 15 is suspended, over which the conveyor hose 13 is guided from a material preparation unit 16 (indicated as a black box) to the material output unit 4. This type of hose management has proven to be disadvantageous, particularly due to the complex assembly, the lack of accessibility to the conveyor hose 13 during operation, and the risk of twisting of the conveyor hose 13.

[0172] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of an arrangement 1 according to the invention for the additive manufacturing of a component 2 with improved hose management. Figure 3 shows a somewhat more concrete embodiment of the invention with further details in an enlarged section of the device 3, wherein the conveyor hose 13 is hidden in Figures 3 to 6 and 8 and 9 for a better representation of the individual components and is partially shown in dashed lines in Figure 7. The proposed, improved hose management system can advantageously be used with the existing device 3. An existing device 3 can be retrofitted in a modular manner. For this reason, details of the device 3, which have already been described above, will not be discussed separately again below and the same reference numerals are used for the individual features.The application of the invention to the device 3 according to the figures is to be understood merely as an example.

[0173] In contrast to the prior art described above, a cross member 14 and a deflection roller 15 for guiding the conveyor hose 13 are omitted. Instead, a Cartesian guide for the conveyor hose 13 is provided on the respective horizontal axes.

[0174] The first horizontal guide 7 has a specific supply line position P for the supply of the supply line 13 or the conveyor hose 13, at which position a first deflection unit 17 is arranged and designed to guide the supply line 13 and to deflect it from an inlet-side course transverse to the first horizontal guide 7 into an outlet-side course along the first horizontal guide 7.

[0175] The first deflection unit 17 is shown in an exemplary variant in a separate illustration in Figure 4. The first deflection unit 17 is rigidly attached to the intended supply line position P or immovably in the longitudinal direction y of the first horizontal guide 7. For this purpose, screws or another type of connection can be provided, for example.

[0176] The supply line position P is preferably arranged between the ends of the first horizontal guide 7, in particular substantially centrally or at least in the middle third of the first horizontal guide 7. In this way, the required length of the conveyor hose 13 can be reduced.

[0177] For particularly advantageous guidance and deflection, the first deflection unit 17 (and the second deflection unit 18 described below) can have at least a first deflection section 19. In the exemplary embodiment in Figure 4, this first deflection section 19 has a horizontal guide roller 20, on which the supply line 13 can rest, and two vertical guide rollers 21 arranged in the region of the ends of the horizontal guide roller 20, between which the supply line 13 can be inserted. In the exemplary embodiment in Figure 4, a second deflection section 22 is provided at a distance from the first deflection section 19, which basically has the same structure and can therefore also consist of a horizontal guide roller 20 and two vertical guide rollers 21. The distance between the first deflection section 19 and the second deflection section 22 can be adjusted by means of telescopic connectors 23.

[0178] The first deflection unit 17 is pivoted or tilted upward relative to the working surface 6 and preferably has a pivot or tilt angle a of approximately 45°. In this way, the delivery hose 13 can be fed to the feed position P more gently, especially when the delivery hose 13 is fed from below, as shown in particular in Figure 3.

[0179] As previously described, the first deflection unit 17 is arranged immovably along the first horizontal guide 7. However, the first deflection unit 17 is preferably mounted rotatably on one side along a rotation axis (see double arrow in Figure 4) starting from a central position in the direction of the ends of the first horizontal guide 7. In this way, the deflection of the conveyor hose 13 can be redirected towards the first end of the first horizontal guide 7 or towards the second end of the first horizontal guide 7, depending on the intended position of the material output unit 4.

[0180] It has been found that limiting the rotational movement of the first deflection unit 17 can be advantageous, in particular limiting it to a maximum angle of 45°. This allows the deflection to be carried out more gently or within predetermined limits, for example, to limit the bending angle of the conveyor hose 13.

[0181] As can be clearly seen from Figures 1 to 3, the second horizontal guide 9 or the cross member 10 of the second horizontal guide 9 is connected via a respective end section to the horizontal members 8 of the first horizontal guide 7. In the region of the end section of the second horizontal guide 9, which faces the first deflection unit 17, a second deflection unit 18 is arranged and designed to guide the supply line 13 and to deflect it, starting from an inlet-side course transverse to the second horizontal guide 9, into an outlet-side course along the second horizontal guide 9. In a particularly advantageous exemplary embodiment, the second deflection unit 18 is shown individually in Figure 5 and is also clearly visible in Figure 3.

[0182] The second deflection unit 18 is specifically attached in the area of ​​one of the ends of the cross member 10 and is immobile along the second horizontal guide 9 (in the x-direction). However, the second deflection unit 18 is also rotatably mounted on both sides along a rotation axis, starting from a central position in which the second deflection unit 18 is aligned along the second horizontal guide 9 (see double arrow in Figure 5). In this way, the transfer of the conveyor hose 13 from the longitudinal direction of the first horizontal guide 7 to the second horizontal guide 9 can be carried out particularly gently and precisely.

[0183] The second deflection unit 18 also has deflection sections 19, 22 that are telescopically spaced from each other. A limit is also provided for the rotational movement, for example, a maximum deflection of 45° on both sides.

[0184] It should be noted at this point that the previously described deflection units 17, 18 are merely exemplary in their specific design. Many other designs for advantageous deflection units 17, 18 are conceivable. However, it is generally advantageous for the deflection units 17, 18 to have at least one freely rotatable guide roller 20, 21 for guiding and / or deflecting the supply line 13. However, a guide roller 20, 21 is not absolutely necessary.

[0185] Figure 6 shows an example of a variant of the second deflection unit 18. At this point, it should be emphasized that features described in connection with the first deflection unit 17, the second deflection unit 18, or the third deflection unit 26 can generally be interchangeable between the deflection units 17, 18, and 26, even if this is not explicitly mentioned. For example, the deflection unit shown in Figure 6 can also be used as the first deflection unit 17 within the scope of the invention.

[0186] In the second deflection unit 18 shown in Figure 6, only the second deflection section 22 has a horizontal guide roller 20. The first deflection section 19, on the other hand, has vertical guide rollers 21 that can be flexibly spaced from one another, resulting in a V-shaped profile for the second deflection unit 18, as shown. This can simplify the insertion or passing on of the conveyor hose 13, if necessary. In the variant of the second deflection unit 18 shown in Figure 6, it can also be provided that not the entire second deflection unit 18 is rotatable (or at least adjustable), but only the vertical guide rollers 21 of the first deflection section 22 about a respective axis of rotation of the vertical guide rollers 21 of the second deflection section 19 (see double arrows in Figure 6). This is also to be understood merely as an example.

[0187] As indicated by dashed lines in Figure 6, it is also optionally possible to guide the supply line 13 in a curved manner by distributing additional vertical guide rollers 21 along the (telescopic) connector 23. This may further optimize the handling and guidance of the supply line 13.

[0188] It is advantageously possible to guide the supply line 13 or the conveyor hose 13 above an upper side of the respective horizontal guide 7, 9 facing away from the work surface 6 and optionally also to space it from the upper side, as shown. In order to further improve the guidance along or on the horizontal axes, support elements 24 can optionally be provided, as indicated in Figures 1 to 3 and shown in particular in an enlarged individual view in Figure 8. The support elements 24 can be distributed along the respective horizontal guide 7, 9, preferably evenly distributed, and fastened to the respective horizontal guide 7, 9, in particular fastened telescopically. The support elements 24 can form a support for the conveyor hose 13 in order to provide defined support for the conveyor hose 13 along the respective horizontal guide 7, 9.The support elements 24, like the deflection units 17, 18, are each designed to allow the conveyor hose 13 to be freely inserted and removed vertically ("from above"). To ensure easy unwinding and guidance, the support elements 24 each have at least one horizontal guide roller 20. The vertical support of the supply line 13 makes it easier to move, thereby reducing, among other things, the required retraction force of an automatic retraction mechanism. Figure 8 shows a variant of a support element 24 with exactly two horizontal guide rollers 20, and Figure 9 shows a variant with exactly one horizontal guide roller 20. It should be noted that the support elements 24 can optionally also have vertical guide rollers, e.g., short side rollers (similar to the deflection units 17, 18).However, it should preferably be ensured that the supply line 13 is stored and removed primarily vertically during the printing process.

[0189] To provide a certain degree of security against loss and lateral guidance for the conveyor hose 13, the support elements 24 are wedge-shaped and have a central recess 25 or a conical / concave recess for the supply line 13 or the conveyor hose 13. In Figure 8, the central recess 25 is formed by tilting the two horizontal guide rollers 20 toward each other and thus arranging them in an overall V-shape. In Figure 9, however, the exact one horizontal guide roller 20 is correspondingly concave.

[0190] As can be clearly seen in Figures 2, 3 and 7, a third deflection unit 26 is additionally provided, which is able to guide the feed line 13 and to deflect it transversely to an inlet-side course into an outlet-side course in the direction of the work surface 6 and which is connected to the material output unit 4 in such a way that the third deflection unit 26 can be moved together with the material output unit 4 over the work surface 6. This third deflection unit 26 is telescopically connected to an annular or funnel-shaped guide unit 27 of the material output unit (cf. in particular Figure 7). The guide unit 27 serves to simplify the final feeding of the conveyor hose 13 to the material output unit 4. For this purpose, the guide unit 27 can optionally be rotatable (cf. double arrow in Figure 7). The third deflection unit 26 can also be rotatable orIt can be attached to the guide unit 27 so that it can rotate around the guide unit 27, particularly with the advantage of a larger mounting area. However, rotatability of the guide unit 27 or the third deflection unit 26 is not absolutely necessary.

[0191] In contrast to the first deflection unit 17 and the second deflection unit 18, the third deflection unit 26, for example, does not have any guide rollers 20, 21, but merely a simple U-shaped receptacle 28 and an angled support 29 for the conveyor hose 13. In principle, however, the third deflection unit 26 can also have one or more guide rollers 20, 21 and, for example, can also be designed as described in the context of the first deflection unit 17 and / or the second deflection unit 18.

[0192] To feed the supply line 13 or the conveyor hose 13 to the supply line position P, a feed device 30 can be provided, which is shown in Figure 2 in a simplified form as a "black box" and in Figure 3 in an exemplary embodiment. In Figure 3, the feed device 30 has a reel 31 from which the conveyor hose 13 can be unwound. The use of a reel 31 has proven particularly suitable, since in this case in particular a comparatively simple automatic retraction mechanism can be provided (not shown), which holds the conveyor hose 13 under a defined tensile force, which can further improve a defined guide above the axes or horizontal guides 7, 9.

Claims

Patent claims Device (3) for additive manufacturing of a component (2), comprising a material dispensing unit (4) for depositing a building material and an actuator assembly (5) configured to move the material dispensing unit (4) over a work surface (6), wherein the actuator assembly (5) for moving the material dispensing unit (4) has at least a first horizontal guide (7) and a second horizontal guide (9), wherein the second horizontal guide (9) has an end section via which the second horizontal guide (9) is connected to the first horizontal guide (7), and wherein the second horizontal guide (9) is movable along the first horizontal guide (7), characterized by a supply line position (P) for a flexible supply line (13) for the building material that can be connected to the material dispensing unit (4),wherein a second deflection unit (18) is arranged and configured in the region of the end section of the second horizontal guide (9) connected to the first horizontal guide (7) to guide the supply line (13) and, starting from an input-side path transverse to the second horizontal guide (9), to deflect it into an output-side path along the second horizontal guide (9). Device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the material output unit (4) is movable transversely to the first horizontal guide (7) along the second horizontal guide (9). Device (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supply line position (P) is arranged along the first horizontal guide (7) and is preferably spaced apart from the ends of the first horizontal guide (7). Device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a first deflection unit (17),which is arranged and configured at the supply line position (P) to guide the supply line (13) and, starting from an input-side path transverse to the first horizontal guide (7), to redirect it into an output-side path longitudinal to the first horizontal guide (7). Device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the actuator assembly (5) has a vertical guide (11) along which the material dispensing unit (4) is movable vertically to the work surface (6).

6. Device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a third deflection unit (26), which is able to guide the supply line (13) and deflect it transversely to an input-side course into an output-side course in the direction of the work surface (6), is connected to the material dispensing unit (4) in such a way that the third deflection unit (26) together with the material dispensing unit (4) is movable over the work surface (6).

7. Device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first horizontal guide (7), the second horizontal guide (9) and / or the vertical guide (11) each have at least one guide strut (8, 10, 12) to form a mutual linear guide and a linear guide for the material dispensing unit (4).

8. Device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the supply line position (P) is arranged between the ends of the first horizontal guide (7) or the second horizontal guide (9), preferably at least substantially in the middle.

9. Device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first deflection unit (17) and / or the second deflection unit (18) is designed to guide the supply line (13) above a top surface of the respective horizontal guide (7, 9) facing away from the working surface (6) and preferably to space it apart from the top surface, preferably by a respective vertical tube arranged between the horizontal guide (7, 9) and the deflection unit (17, 18).

10. Device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first deflection unit (17), the second deflection unit (18) and / or the third deflection unit (26) has at least one freely rotatable guide roller (20, 21) for guiding and / or deflecting the supply line (13).

11. Device (3) according to claim 10, characterized in that the first deflection unit (17), the second deflection unit (18) and / or the third deflection unit (26) has at least a first deflection section (19) with a horizontal guide roller (20) on which the supply line (13) can rest, and has two vertical guide rollers (21) arranged in the area of ​​the ends of the horizontal guide roller (20), between which the supply line (13) can be inserted.

12. Device (3) according to claim 11, characterized in that the first deflection unit (17), the second deflection unit (18) and / or the third deflection unit (26) has, in addition to the first deflection section (19), a second deflection section (22) located away from the first deflection section (19) with a horizontal guide roller (20) on which the supply line (13) can rest, and two vertical guide rollers (21) arranged in the area of ​​the ends of the horizontal guide roller (20), between which the supply line (13) can be inserted.

13. Device (3) according to claim 12, characterized in that the distance between the first deflection section (19) and the second deflection section (22) is adjustable.

14. Device (3) according to one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that the first deflection unit (17) is fixedly mounted along the first horizontal guide (7), but pivotable on both sides from a central position towards the ends of the first horizontal guide (7).

15. Device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the second deflection unit (18) is fixedly mounted along the second horizontal guide (9), but pivotably mounted on both sides starting from a central position in which the second deflection unit (18) is aligned along the second horizontal guide (9).

16. Device (3) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the pivoting movement of the deflection unit (17, 18, 26) is limited, preferably starting from the central position on both sides to a rotation angle of a maximum of 60°, particularly preferably to a rotation angle of a maximum of 45°.

17. Device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized by at least one support element (24) which is attached along the first horizontal guide (7) and / or the second horizontal guide (9) to form a support for the supply line (13) which supports the supply line (13) along the respective horizontal guide (7, 9).

18. Device (3) according to claim 17, characterized in that which has at least one support element (24) and at least one horizontal guide roller (20).

19. Device (3) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the at least one support element (24) is wedge-shaped in order to form a central recess (25) for the supply line (13) for guiding and securing the supply line (13).

20. Device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the first deflection unit (17), the second deflection unit (18), the third deflection unit (26) and / or the at least one support element (24) is designed to allow free insertion and free removal of the supply line (13) in a vertical direction.

21. Device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that a ring-shaped and / or funnel-shaped guide unit (27) is arranged upstream of the material dispensing unit (4), which together with the material dispensing unit (4) is movable above the work surface (6) and is designed to guide the supply line (13) to the material dispensing unit (4).

22. Device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized by a feed device (30) for the supply line (13) which is designed to feed the supply line (13) to the supply line position (P), in particular to unwind it from a reel (31) and / or to wind it onto the reel (31) as required.

23. Device (3) according to claim 22, characterized in that the feed device (30) has a retraction mechanism which holds the feed line (13) under a defined tensile force.

24. Device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the material output unit (4) is designed to separate flowable mixed concrete as a building material for the additive manufacturing of structures or components (2) of structures.

25. Method for the additive manufacturing of a component (2), wherein a material output unit (4) for depositing a building material is moved over a work surface (6) by means of an actuator assembly (5), comprising at least the following process steps: a) supplying the building material to the material output unit (4) by means of a flexible feed line (13); b) Feeding the feed line (13) transversely to a second horizontal guide (7), along which the material output unit (4) is moved; and c) guiding and diverting the feed line (13) from its input-side path transversely to the second horizontal guide (7) into an output-side path along the second horizontal guide (7) by means of a second diverting unit (17).

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