Production apparatus for the additive manufacture of three-dimensional workpieces, building cylinder for use with the production apparatus, and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a production apparatus for the additive manufacture of three-dimensional workpieces, comprising a solidifying device which is configured to selectively solidify powder material, wherein the production apparatus is configured for use with an exchangeable building cylinder designed to receive at least partially solidified powder material, wherein the production apparatus comprises a coupling system for coupling to the building cylinder, which is designed to orient the building cylinder in a predefined position and to hold same in the predefined position at least during part of a production process. The invention also relates to a corresponding building cylinder, to a production system and to a method.

Description

[0001] Manufacturing apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional workpieces, construction cylinder for use with the manufacturing apparatus, as well as manufacturing system and method

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing apparatus for the additive manufacture of three-dimensional workpieces, a construction cylinder for use with this manufacturing apparatus, a manufacturing system and a method.

[0003] In the field of powder bed-based additive manufacturing, three-dimensional workpieces can be produced by selectively solidifying powder material. The powdered raw material to be solidified is usually held by a build cylinder, which is bordered at the bottom by a build plate. At the beginning of a production process, the build plate is positioned at the top of the build cylinder and covered with a layer of powder. After the selective solidification of this powder layer by a solidification device, the build plate is moved downwards in the build cylinder, whereby the at least partially solidified powder layer is also moved downwards. Another layer of powder can now be applied to the at least partially solidified layer and again solidified in the desired areas. In this way, the three-dimensional workpiece is created layer by layer.

[0004] The raw material can be a metal, a metal alloy, or a plastic. Other powder materials, such as cell-based raw materials, are also conceivable. Irradiation devices that selectively melt or melt the powder material using a beam that can be directed over the layer can be used as solidification devices. The beam can be a particle beam, such as an electron beam, or electromagnetic radiation, such as laser light. In particular, the solidification device can be configured to solidify the powder material by selective laser sintering or selective laser melting. Alternatively or additionally, the solidification device used can be designed to apply a binder, such as an adhesive, to the layer regions to be solidified in order to selectively solidify the powder.

[0005] The present invention provides a generic manufacturing apparatus for the additive manufacture of three-dimensional workpieces, comprising a solidification device configured to selectively solidify powder material. In contrast to some known solutions that rely on a build cylinder permanently connected to the manufacturing apparatus, the manufacturing apparatus provided here is configured for use with an exchangeable build cylinder designed to accommodate at least partially solidified powder material. The build cylinder provided here is therefore not permanently connected to the manufacturing apparatus, but can be replaced with a build cylinder, in particular one of identical construction and / or empty. The partially solidified powder material can correspond to an at least partially solidified powder layer.

[0006] The manufacturing apparatus described here includes a coupling system for coupling to the construction cylinder. This coupling system serves, in particular, to detachably couple the replaceable construction cylinder to the manufacturing apparatus.

[0007] The coupling system is designed to align the build cylinder in a predetermined position. Aligning it in the predetermined position can ensure that a powder layer introduced into the coupled build cylinder has a known spatial position. This allows the layer to be selectively solidified with high spatial accuracy.

[0008] The predetermined position can be defined, in particular, relative to the manufacturing apparatus and / or at least a part of the manufacturing apparatus. For example, the predetermined position is defined relative to the solidification device and / or a process chamber of the manufacturing apparatus. The process chamber can be designed to ensure an atmosphere with predefined temperature, flow, humidity, and / or chemical properties, in particular a protective gas atmosphere, above the powder bed or the uppermost powder layer.

[0009] The coupling system is further designed to hold the construction cylinder in the predetermined position at least during part of a manufacturing process. The coupling system therefore fulfills an advantageous dual function, serving both to align the construction cylinder and to hold it in place.

[0010] In particular, the coupling system is designed to support a large portion of the weight of the build cylinder, or even the entire weight of the build cylinder, when it holds the build cylinder. The weight of the build plate and any powder material located thereon and within the build cylinder, in particular selectively solidified, can, however, be supported, for example at least temporarily, by another component, in particular by a drive device for moving the build plate, when the coupling system holds the build cylinder. The coupling system can be designed to releasably hold the replaceable build cylinder to the manufacturing apparatus. The manufacturing process is, in particular, a manufacturing process performed by the manufacturing apparatus for the additive manufacture of a three-dimensional workpiece. It is conceivable for the coupling system to hold the build cylinder throughout the entire manufacturing process.

[0011] The coupling system can be configured to align an upper end portion of the build cylinder in the predetermined position. The coupling system can be configured to hold the build cylinder at the upper end portion at least during the part of the manufacturing process. This, in turn, allows a powder layer introduced into the coupled build cylinder, which is located in the upper end portion, to have a known spatial position, so that this layer can be selectively solidified with high spatial accuracy.

[0012] The coupling system can be designed to hold the build cylinder from above and / or in a suspended manner. In this case, the build cylinder can be said to hang from the coupling system when coupled. The coupling system can be designed to come into contact with the build cylinder (e.g. only) from above, or (e.g. only) with an upper side of at least a part of the build cylinder, in particular to hold the build cylinder. The build cylinder can have one or more projections arranged on the outer circumference that are designed to couple to the coupling system. The at least a part of the build cylinder can comprise one or more of these projections. The manufacturing apparatus can be designed such that the upper end portion of the build cylinder is hermetically connected to the process chamber when coupled to the manufacturing apparatus via the coupling system.The upper end section can be designed to be connected to the process chamber, in particular in a gas-tight and / or pressure-tight manner, via a sealing system of the production apparatus. The upper end section can be located closer to the solidification device than a lower end section of the building cylinder when the building cylinder is coupled to the production apparatus. The upper end section can be designed to receive a new powder layer, while a lower end section of the building cylinder is designed to receive an already selectively solidified powder layer. The one or more projections can be part of the upper end section of the building cylinder. Unless otherwise described, the terms "top" and "bottom", as well as corresponding designations such as "top" and "bottom", are to be understood with reference to the direction of gravity. Objects move from top to bottom in free fall, driven by gravity.

[0013] The coupling system can be designed such that the construction cylinder can be moved in an insertion direction for coupling with the coupling system. The coupling system can be configured to align the construction cylinder in the predetermined position while it is moved in the insertion direction. This enables simple and precise coupling of the construction cylinder in the predetermined position. In particular, this enables the use of a drive device that can move the construction cylinder in only one spatial direction, namely the insertion direction, while the alignment in at least one other spatial direction is carried out by the coupling system.

[0014] The predetermined position may deviate from a position that the build cylinder can reach when moved along the feed direction. The alignment may occur in a direction that deviates from the feed direction. The feed direction may be straight and / or from bottom to top. The feed direction may be in the direction of the process chamber and / or solidification device. The coupling system may be designed to center the build cylinder in the predetermined position during movement of the build cylinder in the feed direction. For example, the coupling system may be designed such that the build cylinder is aligned or centered in the xy plane while it is moved in the z direction (feed direction). This alignment orCentering can be accomplished by means of bolts that run essentially in the z-direction and are provided as part of the coupling system, which engage in corresponding recesses on the building cylinder when the building cylinder is coupled to the coupling system or vice versa.

[0015] The coupling system can comprise a plurality of clamping systems. One, several or each of the clamping systems can be configured to hold the building cylinder in the predetermined position at least during that part of the manufacturing process. This enables the building cylinder to be quickly coupled to the manufacturing apparatus using cost-effective means which nevertheless provide the desired dual function of aligning and holding. In a first variant, such a clamping system comprises in particular a clamping module or clamping module. The clamping module or clamping module can be designed for clamping a matching counterpart, in particular a clamping means such as a (clamping) bolt, wherein the counterpart is connected to the building cylinder or fastened thereto. In a second variant, such a clamping system comprises a clamping means which is designed for coupling to a matching counterpart, in particular a clamping module orIt is designed as a clamping module, with the counterpart being connected or attached to the construction cylinder. A combination of both variants is also conceivable, whereby the coupling module would then comprise different clamping systems, namely not only at least one (clamping) module, but also at least one clamping device for coupling with a suitable counterpart.

[0016] The plurality of clamping systems can comprise three or more clamping systems. The three or more clamping systems can be arranged substantially evenly distributed, particularly along an outer circumferential line of the construction cylinder when it is held by the coupling system. The use of three or more clamping systems can enable highly precise alignment or positioning of the construction cylinder.

[0017] The plurality of clamping systems can comprise one or more zero-point clamping systems. It is possible to design a single clamping system as a zero-point clamping system, or to design multiple clamping systems so that they (e.g., only) form a zero-point clamping system when combined. It is also conceivable for the entirety of the clamping systems to form a single zero-point clamping system. The zero point can correspond to the predetermined position in each case. A zero-point clamping system is particularly suitable for precisely aligning and holding the construction cylinder.

[0018] The clamping systems of the plurality of clamping systems can be arranged on different sides (e.g., on all outer sides) of the construction cylinder when the construction cylinder is aligned in the predetermined position. In other words, the clamping systems of the plurality of clamping systems can be arranged such that they lie on different sides of the construction cylinder when the construction cylinder is aligned in the predetermined position. The clamping systems can be arranged at different (e.g., outer) corners of the construction cylinder (e.g., at all outer corners). Such an arrangement of the clamping systems can enable reliable alignment and holding of the construction cylinder. The clamping systems of the plurality of clamping systems can each be mounted so as to be displaceable (e.g., only) on one line, wherein the line intersects a central axis of the construction cylinder when the construction cylinder is aligned in the predetermined position.The central axis can run in the vertical direction of the construction cylinder. In other words, multiple clamping systems can be provided that can move toward and away from the central axis (e.g., in the xy plane), but are immobile in other spatial directions. This makes it possible to keep the central axis in the predetermined position even if the connected construction cylinder expands or contracts due to temperature changes.

[0019] The clamping systems of the plurality of clamping systems can be designed to be pneumatically controllable via at least two independent fluid circuits. The clamping systems can be divided into at least two groups, each of which is connected to and controllable via a group-specific fluid circuit. Such pneumatic clamping systems can be controlled, i.e., in particular, opened, closed, locked, unlocked, cleaned, and / or re-tightened, by applying pressure (e.g., via the corresponding fluid circuit). The use of multiple fluid circuits can create a certain degree of redundancy, so that if only one fluid circuit fails, at least the clamping systems connected to the other fluid circuits remain controllable.

[0020] The clamping systems of the numerous clamping systems can be designed to be normally clamped. This means that one or more clamping systems can be provided that remain clamped in the absence of an electrical, mechanical, or pneumatic control signal. Clamping systems with integrated spring mechanisms, for example, are suitable for this purpose. These hold and / or lock the respective clamping system in the clamped state after a clamping device has been clamped. Normally clamped clamping systems have the advantage that a clamped clamping device remains clamped even in the event of a power failure or a failure of an electrical or pneumatic (fluid) control line. In this case, this can ensure that the construction cylinder is securely held on the production equipment even in the event of such a fault.

[0021] The manufacturing apparatus may comprise a support device. The predetermined position may be defined relative to the support device. The support device may be designed to support the coupling system, the process chamber, and / or the solidification device. The support device may be designed such that a weight held by the coupling device, for example, the weight of the held build cylinder, has no effect on the spatial position, in particular the position and / or orientation, of the solidification device and / or the process chamber. This ensures that the coupled build cylinder has a predetermined position relative to the solidification device and / or the process chamber. This, in turn, enables precise, selective solidification of the powder material.

[0022] The coupling system can comprise one or more functional interfaces for connecting to suitable functional interfaces of the construction cylinder. A functional interface is understood in particular to be an electrical interface or a fluidic interface. The electrical interface can be designed to supply electrical components of the construction cylinder and / or to transmit data. In particular, the electrical interface can be used to contact one or more sensors (e.g. temperature, deformation and / or weight) of the construction cylinder. The fluidic interface can be designed to provide a pneumatic control signal for pneumatic actuators of the construction cylinder. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be used to supply the construction cylinder with a heating or cooling medium.The functional interface can be designed as a quick connection, which is connected in particular to a corresponding counter-interface of the construction cylinder when the construction cylinder is in the predetermined position.

[0023] A construction cylinder is also provided for use with the manufacturing apparatus. The construction cylinder may have the features already described.

[0024] The construction cylinder can be designed as a general hollow cylinder. The construction cylinder can be polygonal, i.e., have a polygonal outer contour and / or inner contour. Accordingly, a hollow interior of the construction cylinder can have a polygonal outer contour. The polygon can, in particular, be a rectangle or square. The construction cylinder can extend in a straight line in the vertical direction.

[0025] In particular, the construction cylinder can comprise a plurality of clamping elements designed for coupling with clamping systems of the coupling system. The clamping elements can be arranged on different sides (e.g. on two opposite or all outer sides) of the construction cylinder. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable for one or more of the clamping elements to be mounted so as to be displaceable on a line, wherein the line intersects the central axis of the construction cylinder. As already described above, this can compensate for a temperature-based change in the size of the construction cylinder in that the central axis of the coupled construction cylinder remains in the predetermined position. As in the case of the clamping systems, a clamping element can comprise a clamping module or a clamping device. The construction cylinder can have different clamping elements, i.e. also combinations of clamping modules and clamping devices.

[0026] The construction cylinder can comprise one or more interfaces designed for connection to the functional interface(s) of the coupling system. As described above, these can be electrical and / or fluidic interfaces. The construction cylinder can comprise an electrical heating and / or cooling system that can be supplied and / or controlled via the electrical interface. The construction cylinder can comprise a fluid line system and a fluid interface designed to supply the fluid line system for connection to a suitable fluid interface of the coupling system. The fluid line system can be designed to regulate a temperature of the construction cylinder, in particular as a heating and / or cooling system. The construction cylinder can comprise a second fluid interface for dispensing a fluid from the fluid line system.The second fluid interface can, in turn, be designed to connect to a suitable fluid interface of the coupling system. This enables the temperature of the build cylinder to be regulated via the coupling system.

[0027] The construction cylinder, in particular, has an upper end section and an opposite lower end section. A locking system can be arranged at the lower end section, which is designed to lock a construction plate displaceably mounted in a powder receiving space or the interior of the construction cylinder (e.g., in the vertical direction) relative to the construction cylinder.

[0028] A manufacturing system is also provided, which includes the manufacturing apparatus and the building cylinder.

[0029] The manufacturing apparatus and / or the manufacturing system can further comprise a drive device configured to lift the build plate. The drive device can, in particular, be designed to lift the build plate while the build plate is locked by the locking system in order to move the build cylinder in the insertion direction for coupling with the coupling system. In other words, the drive device can be used to either lift the locked build plate and the build cylinder, or to lift the unlocked build plate while the build cylinder is held by the coupling system. For this purpose, the drive device can be coupled to the build plate. Power transmission from the drive device to the build cylinder can be ensured by the locking system.Thus, a single drive device is sufficient to couple the build cylinder to the production machine and to move the build plate during the production process. This allows the size of the production machine and / or the production system to be reduced.

[0030] It is conceivable for the drive device to be coupled to the build plate in a movable manner (e.g. translationally and / or rotationally). In particular, the drive device can be coupled to the build plate in a translational manner in the xy plane. In this case, the drive device can be moved in the xy plane without causing a corresponding displacement of the build plate. The build plate can be mounted in the build cylinder in a translationally movable manner (e.g. exclusively) in the z direction. In this case, a coupling of the drive device to the build plate in a movable manner in the xy plane can reduce frictional forces acting on the build plate in the xy plane. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the drive device is coupled to the build plate in a rotationally movable manner, e.g. rotatable at least about the x and y axes. In this way, torsional loads on the build plate can be reduced.

[0031] Coupling the drive device to the build plate can be either direct or indirect. With direct coupling, the drive device is in contact with the build plate; with indirect coupling, the build plate is supported by a carrier plate, with the drive device being in direct contact with the carrier plate. In the latter case, the carrier plate acts as an intermediate link between the drive device and the build plate. It is understood that for the movable coupling of the drive device to the build plate, the carrier plate can be movable relative to the build plate and / or the carrier plate can be movable relative to the drive device.

[0032] In a particular example, the coupling system 24 is configured such that, in the coupled state, it holds the construction cylinder translationally movable within a predetermined translation range (e.g., along at least one of the three spatial axes). In this case, the coupling system is thus designed to hold the construction cylinder in the predetermined position with a predetermined tolerance of, in particular, a few millimeters.

[0033] A method is further provided. The method utilizes the build cylinder and the manufacturing apparatus, and is used in particular for coupling the build cylinder to the manufacturing apparatus. The method comprises moving the build cylinder in the insertion direction. The build cylinder is aligned in the predetermined position by the coupling system while being moved in the insertion direction. The method further comprises holding the build cylinder in the predetermined position by the coupling system, at least during the part of the manufacturing process. In the method, the build cylinder can be moved in the insertion direction by lifting the build plate slidably mounted inside the build cylinder while the build plate is locked relative to the build cylinder. The method can further comprise one or more of the steps described above.The method can in particular comprise at least one of the following steps: unlocking the build plate after coupling the build cylinder to the coupling system; moving the unlocked build plate upwards in the coupled build cylinder; applying powder material to the build plate, selectively solidifying a powder layer; carrying out the entire or partial manufacturing process; locking the build plate after completion of the manufacturing process; moving the build cylinder counter to the insertion direction to decouple the build cylinder from the coupling system; controlling the clamping systems and / or clamping elements; supplying the functional interfaces with energy or fluid. The manufacturing apparatus and / or the manufacturing system can comprise a control device that controls the manufacturing apparatus and / or the manufacturing system such that the method is carried out.

[0034] Exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures, wherein

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a manufacturing system with a decoupled build cylinder;

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a coupling system with a decoupled construction cylinder; Fig. 3 shows a schematic drawing of a manufacturing system with a coupled construction cylinder;

[0037] Fig.4 shows a perspective view of a coupling system with a coupled construction cylinder;

[0038] Fig. 5a shows a schematic drawing of a manufacturing system with a coupled build cylinder during a manufacturing process;

[0039] Fig. 5b shows a schematic drawing of a manufacturing system with a coupled build cylinder during a manufacturing process;

[0040] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a coupling system and possible fluid circuits;

[0041] Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view through fluid interfaces of a coupling system and construction cylinder; and

[0042] Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of a method according to the present disclosure.

[0043] In the following, reference symbols indicate the same structural and / or functional features.

[0044] 1, 3 and 5a, a manufacturing system 100 is shown in various stages. The system 100 comprises a manufacturing apparatus 2 for the additive manufacture of three-dimensional workpieces, which has a solidification device 4 and in particular a process chamber 6. The solidification device 4 is configured to selectively solidify powder material and can for this purpose have a plurality of radiation sources 8a, 8b and scanners 10a, 10b designed to deflect the beams 11a, 11b over a powder layer 13. The radiation sources 8a, 8b can be laser sources. The process chamber 6 can be supplied with gas, e.g., protective gas, via a gas inlet 12. A gas outlet 14 can be provided, via which gas can escape from the process chamber 6. Thus, a desired gas flow 15 can be provided in the process chamber 6, which can serve in particular to transport particles generated during the manufacturing process out of the process chamber 6.A control device 15 may be provided which is configured to control the system 100, the manufacturing apparatus 2 or individual components thereof, in particular to carry out the method described herein.

[0045] The system 100 further comprises a build cylinder 16, a build plate 18, and a drive device 22. The build cylinder 16 is interchangeable, in particular with identically constructed build cylinders. In other words, the manufacturing apparatus 2 is configured for use with an interchangeable build cylinder designed to receive at least partially solidified powder material. The build plate 18 is slidably mounted in the build cylinder 16. A locking system 20 can lock the build plate 18 relative to the build cylinder 16, so that when the build plate 18 is lifted, not only the build plate 18 but also the build cylinder 16 is lifted upward. A drive device 22, in particular a linear drive, is provided for raising and lowering the build plate.

[0046] In Fig. 1, the construction cylinder 16 is uncoupled from the manufacturing apparatus 2, in Fig. 3 the construction cylinder 16 is coupled to the manufacturing apparatus 2, according to Fig. 5a the construction cylinder 16 is coupled to the manufacturing apparatus 2 and a manufacturing process for the layer-by-layer production of a three-dimensional workpiece 17 is carried out by selectively solidifying individual layers by means of the solidification device 4.

[0047] A coupling system 24 is provided for coupling the construction cylinder 16 to the manufacturing apparatus 2. The coupling system 24 is designed to align the construction cylinder 16 in a predetermined position and to hold it in the predetermined position at least during part of a manufacturing process.

[0048] Figs. 2 and 4 show perspective views of an exemplary coupling system 24 in various states. In the uncoupled or free state according to Fig. 2, the construction cylinder 16 is uncoupled from the production apparatus 2, thus the coupling system 24 is unoccupied. This corresponds to the state shown in Fig. 1. In the coupled state according to Fig. 4, the construction cylinder 16 is coupled to the production apparatus 2, thus the coupling system 24 is occupied. This corresponds to the states shown in Figs. 3 and 5a.

[0049] For coupling with the coupling system 24, the build cylinder 16 is moved upwards, as shown, for example, in Figs. 1 and 3. The precise positioning of the build cylinder 16, particularly in spatial directions deviating from the direction of movement (e.g., to the left in Fig. 1 and / or into the plane of the drawing), is ensured by the coupling system 24. In particular, the coupling system 24 is designed such that it urges an upper end portion 26 of the build cylinder 16 into the predetermined position when the build cylinder 16 is coupled to the production apparatus 2, and holds the build cylinder suspended from this upper end portion 26 after coupling, at least during part of the production process. The coupling system 24 can be configured such that it holds substantially the entire weight of the build cylinder 16 when it is coupled and the locking system 20 has unlocked the build plate 18.The locking device 20 is preferably arranged in a lower end portion 28 of the construction cylinder 16.

[0050] The system 100 may further comprise a support device 30, as schematically indicated in Fig. 1. The coupling system 24, the process chamber 6, and / or the solidification device 4 may be supported by the support device 30. The support device 30 is preferably designed such that the weight of the coupled construction cylinder 16 supported by the coupling system 24 has no influence on the spatial position of the process chamber 6 and / or the solidification device 4.

[0051] The coupling system 24 can comprise four clamping systems 32 that hold the construction cylinder 16 in the predetermined position after coupling. To securely clamp the construction cylinder 16, the four clamping systems 32 can be arranged at the corners of the construction cylinder 16 when it is coupled. Each clamping system 32 can correspond to a clamping module that is designed to clamp a clamping device 34, in particular a clamping bolt. The respective clamping device 34 is preferably fastened to the upper end section 26 of the construction cylinder 16. The clamping device can be a clamping bolt with a beveled upper side, which can ensure easy alignment of the construction cylinder 16 and prevent the clamping device from tilting in the clamping system 32.It is conceivable to use a clamping bolt with a distal chamfer to enable an offset of 1-2 mm, a zero bolt, a compensating bolt, a clamping bolt with a catch screw, a sword bolt or an undersize bolt as the clamping device 34.

[0052] The coupling system can comprise a frame-shaped support element 36 in which the clamping systems 32 are arranged. The support element 36 can rest on the support device 30 via height-adjustable leveling screws 38. This allows the spatial position of the clamping systems 32 relative to the support device 30, which is preferably rigid and stands on the room floor, to be precisely defined, which in turn enables exact positioning of the building cylinder 16 and the layered powder material to be solidified therein. In a special embodiment, the leveling screws 38 are coupled to the support device 30 in such a way that mutual translation in the xy plane (e.g., within a predetermined tolerance range of a few millimeters) is possible.

[0053] For example, the clamping systems 32 together form a zero-point clamping system, with the zero point 35 lying on a central axis of the construction cylinder 16. The clamping systems 32 are each mounted for linear movement, so that they can be moved by a few millimeters along respective straight lines. Each of these straight lines can intersect a central axis of the construction cylinder 16. In this way, it can be ensured that even if the construction cylinder 16 expands due to temperature during the manufacturing process, its central axis continues to correspond to the zero point 35. In other words, the position of the central axis of the construction cylinder 16 can be maintained regardless of a temperature change of the construction cylinder 16.

[0054] The clamping systems 32 can be designed as pneumatically controllable clamping modules so that they can be pneumatically opened, closed, unlocked, locked, cleaned, and / or re-tightened. For this purpose, several independent fluid circuits 33a, 33b can be used. In particular, different clamping systems 32 can be supplied via different fluid circuits. As indicated in Fig. 6, clamping systems 32 of the plurality of clamping systems 32 arranged opposite one another can be controlled via the same fluid circuit 33a or 33b. Preferably, the clamping modules are normally pre-tensioned so that the clamping devices remain clamped even in the event of a power failure and / or a failure of the pneumatic supply. In the case of electrically switchable clamping systems 32, individual subgroups of the clamping systems 32 can be controlled accordingly via different current and / or control circuits, for example in pairs.

[0055] The coupling system 24 can also have functional interfaces such as electrical plug-in interfaces or fluid quick-coupling interfaces. Examples of fluid interfaces 25 are shown in Figs. 4 and 7. In this case, the construction cylinder 16 has corresponding counter-interfaces 27, for example, on projections 31 provided on the outer circumference in the upper end section 26 of the construction cylinder 16. The fluid interfaces can serve, in particular, to supply a temperature control system of the construction cylinder 16. This temperature control system can comprise a fluid line system 29 provided on or in the construction cylinder 16.

[0056] Supply connections 37 may be provided on an upper side of the support element 36, which serve to pneumatically control the clamping systems 32. Furthermore, fluid connections 39 may be provided, which are connected to the fluid interfaces 25.

[0057] It may happen that the drive device 22 is not optimally aligned with respect to the process chamber 6, or that the alignment of the drive device 22 changes over time (e.g. during the movement of the build plate 18 upwards in the z-direction). In order to prevent undesired displacement and / or twisting of the build plate 18 in such cases, the drive device 22 can be coupled to the build plate 18 so as to be translational in the xy plane and rotational about the x and y axes. In particular, as shown in Fig. 5b, the build plate 18 can be carried by a carrier plate 23. For the movable coupling of the drive device 22 to the build plate 18, the carrier plate 23 can be designed to be movable relative to the build plate and / or relative to the drive device 22.

[0058] Another possibility for avoiding undesired loading of the build plate due to misalignment of the drive device 22 is, as an alternative or in addition to a movable (e.g., indirect) coupling of the drive device 22 to the build plate 18, to design the coupling system 24 such that it holds the build cylinder 16, in the coupled state, translationally movable in the xy plane over a predetermined translation range. In this case, the coupling system is therefore designed to hold the build cylinder 16 in the predetermined position within a predetermined tolerance (e.g., a few millimeters). To achieve this, for example, undersized bolts and / or clamping systems that are movable in the xy plane can be used.

[0059] Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of a method using system 100.

[0060] In step 102, the build cylinder 16 is moved in the insertion direction. Here, the build cylinder 16 is aligned by the coupling system 24 into the predetermined position. In particular, the locking device 20 can lock the build plate 18 against the build cylinder 16, and the drive device 22 can move the build plate in the insertion direction, thereby simultaneously moving the build cylinder 16 in the insertion direction. Before the build cylinder 16 is moved, the system 100 is in the configuration shown in Fig. 1. After performing step 102, the system 100 is in the configuration shown in Fig. 3.

[0061] In step 104, the coupling system holds the construction cylinder in the predetermined position. Here, too, the system remains in the configuration shown in Fig. 3.

[0062] In the optional step 106, the build plate 18 is unlocked so that it can now move upwards within the build cylinder 20, i.e., in the interior or powder receiving space 19 of the build cylinder 16.

[0063] In optional step 108, the manufacturing process is carried out, wherein powder material is metered layer by layer onto the build plate 18, the powder layer is selectively solidified by the solidification device 4, the build plate is lowered by the thickness of one layer, and a new powder layer is subsequently applied. This is illustrated in Fig. 5a.

[0064] After the end of the manufacturing process, i.e. after the production of the three-dimensional workpiece 17, the building plate is lowered into its starting position in the optional step 110 and locked by the locking system 20.

[0065] In the subsequent optional step 112, the build cylinder 16 is decoupled by the drive device 22 moving the locked build plate 18 downward, i.e., away from the process chamber 6. The build cylinder 16 can now be replaced with an empty build cylinder, and the process can begin again.

[0066] It is understood that the examples, variants, and embodiments described herein can be combined with one another. In addition to the advantages mentioned above, further technical advantages are conceivable.

Claims

Claims 1. Manufacturing apparatus (2) for the additive manufacture of three-dimensional workpieces (17), comprising a solidification device (4) which is designed to selectively solidify powder material, wherein the manufacturing apparatus (2) is designed for use with an exchangeable build cylinder (16) designed to receive at least partially solidified powder material, wherein the manufacturing apparatus (2) comprises a coupling system (24) for coupling to the build cylinder (16), which is designed to align the build cylinder (16) in a predetermined position and to hold it in the predetermined position at least during part of a manufacturing process.

2. Manufacturing apparatus (2) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling system (24) is configured to align an upper end portion (26) of the building cylinder (16) in the predetermined position and to hold the building cylinder (16) at the upper end portion (26) at least during the part of the manufacturing process.

3. Manufacturing apparatus (2) according to claim 1 or 2, designed such that the building cylinder (16) is to be moved in an insertion direction for coupling with the coupling system (24), wherein the coupling system (24) is adapted to align the building cylinder (16) in the predetermined position while it is moved in the insertion direction.

4. Manufacturing apparatus (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coupling system (24) comprises a plurality of clamping systems (32), each of which is adapted to hold the building cylinder (16) in the predetermined position at least during the part of the manufacturing process.

5. Manufacturing apparatus (2) according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of clamping systems (32) has at least one of the following characteristics: the plurality of clamping systems (32) comprises three or more clamping systems; the plurality of clamping systems (32) comprises one or more zero-point clamping systems; the clamping systems (32) of the plurality of clamping systems (32) are arranged on different sides of the building cylinder (16) when the building cylinder (16) is aligned in the predetermined position; the clamping systems (32) of the plurality of clamping systems (32) are each mounted displaceably on a line, wherein the line intersects a central axis of the construction cylinder (16) when the construction cylinder (16) is aligned in the predetermined position; the clamping systems (32) of the plurality of clamping systems (32) are pneumatically controllable via at least two independent fluid circuits (33a; 33b); and / or the clamping systems (32) of the plurality of clamping systems (32) are designed to be normally clamped.

6. Manufacturing apparatus (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a support device (30), wherein the coupling system (24) is carried by the support device (30) and / or the predetermined position is defined relative to the support device (30).

7. Manufacturing apparatus (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the coupling system (24) comprises one or more functional interfaces (25) for connection to matching functional interfaces (27) of the building cylinder (16).

8. Construction cylinder (16) for use with the manufacturing apparatus (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Construction cylinder (16) according to claim 8, further comprising a plurality of clamping elements (34) which are designed for coupling with clamping systems (32) of the coupling system (24), wherein the clamping elements (34) are arranged on different sides of the construction cylinder (16) and / or are each displaceably mounted on a line, wherein the line intersects a central axis of the construction cylinder (16).

10. Construction cylinder (16) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the construction cylinder (16) comprises a fluid line system (29) and a fluid interface (27) designed to supply the fluid line system (29) for connection to a suitable fluid interface (25) of the coupling system (24).

11. Construction cylinder according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the construction cylinder (16) has an upper end portion (26) and an opposite lower end portion (28), wherein a locking system (28) is arranged on the lower end portion (26), which locking system is designed to lock a powder receiving space (19) of the construction cylinder (16) to lock the construction plate (18) displaceably mounted relative to the construction cylinder (16).

12. A manufacturing system (100) comprising: the manufacturing apparatus (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and the building cylinder (16) according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

13. The manufacturing system (100) of claim 12 having the build cylinder (16) of claim 11, further comprising: a drive device (22) configured to lift the build plate (18) while the build plate (18) is locked by the locking system (20) to move the build cylinder (16) in an insertion direction for coupling to the coupling system (24).

14. A method for coupling the construction cylinder (16) according to one of claims 8 to 11 to the manufacturing apparatus (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: Moving the building cylinder (16) in an insertion direction, wherein the building cylinder (16) is aligned by the coupling system (24) in the predetermined position while being moved in the insertion direction; and Holding the construction cylinder (16) in the predetermined position by the coupling system (24), at least during the part of the manufacturing process.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the building cylinder (16) is moved in the insertion direction by lifting a building plate (18) displaceably mounted inside the building cylinder (16) while the building plate (18) is locked relative to the building cylinder (16).

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