Three-dimensional modeling apparatus equipped with multiple modeling head rows

Abstract

Provided is a three-dimensional modeling device that can further improve the flexibility of article manufacturing by additive manufacturing. [Solution] A three-dimensional modeling apparatus for additive manufacturing includes a plurality of modeling heads 3.1, ..., 3.n arranged adjacent to each other along horizontal axes Qa-Qe and each capable of additively manufacturing an article. This three-dimensional modeling apparatus D includes at least two rows 20A-20E arranged in front of each other along a vertical axis L, each row including a plurality of modeling heads 3.1, ..., 3.n arranged adjacent to each other along the horizontal axes Qa-Qe.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The proposed solution relates to a solid modeling apparatus for additive manufacturing, comprising a number of modeling heads arranged next to each other along a lateral axis and each capable of additively manufacturing an article. [Background technology]

[0002] It is already known as a practice in 3D printing machines that multiple (at least two) print heads can be arranged next to each other to additively manufacture multiple articles at the same time, for example, each print head can build one article at a time. In this case, the simultaneous production of identical articles usually increases the number of articles produced per unit time of the additive manufacturing process. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, there remains a need for solid-state imaging devices that can further increase the versatility of producing articles through additive manufacturing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The three-dimensional modeling apparatus of claim 1 satisfies this requirement.

[0005] The proposed three-dimensional printing apparatus includes at least two rows arranged one behind the other along a vertical axis, each row including a plurality of printing heads arranged adjacent to each other along a horizontal axis.

[0006] In other words, the idea behind the proposed solution is to provide a two-dimensional matrix of modeling heads, thereby enabling additive manufacturing of multiple articles (which can be identical articles) and facilitating adjustment of process parameters during the production of multiple articles on an individual 3D modeling device.

[0007] In principle, the proposed 3D modeling apparatus for layer-by-layer construction of an article may comprise at least one extruder or extruders for each modeling head or for each group of modeling heads, at least one processor for controlling one or more of these extruders, and at least one memory for control instructions for controlling the extruders, where the processor and memory may be integrated into an electronic control unit that may also control the position of each modeling head.

[0008] In one design example, the SIM apparatus includes at least one lateral support member for at least one row of print heads, the print heads being positionable at various lateral distances on the at least one lateral support member. That is, two or more print heads are disposed on the lateral support member at an adjustable distance relative to each other. For example, the print heads of a given row may be displaceably mounted on the corresponding lateral support member. In this way, the print heads may be variably positioned along the lateral support member, i.e., along the lateral axis defined by the lateral support member, depending on the article to be manufactured.

[0009] In one design example, in order to further simplify the positioning of the print heads on a given lateral support, the lateral distance between the print heads of a given row can be adjusted electrically, i.e. the position of each print head on the lateral support and thus the lateral distance between the print heads can be adjusted electronically. For this purpose, for example, a motorized lateral adjustment device is part of the 3D printing apparatus. With such a lateral adjustment device, for example, the lateral distance between the print heads of a given row can be adjusted in a motorized manner.

[0010] For example, for this purpose, the lateral adjustment device comprises at least one spindle drive, the spindle of which is provided, for example, with a spindle nut connected to and meshing with a given print head, such that the position of the corresponding print head along a spindle axis extending parallel to the lateral axis can be adjusted by rotating the spindle.

[0011] In one design example, the 3D modeling apparatus includes a plurality of (at least two) lateral support members whose longitudinal distances along the longitudinal axis can be adjusted. That is, in such a design example, not only can the distances of the modeling heads in the same row be changed relative to each other along the lateral axis, but also the distances of the modeling heads along the longitudinal axis can be changed. By adjusting the at least two lateral support members relative to each other, each row of modeling heads held by the lateral support members can be positioned at various longitudinal distances between them. Furthermore, the modeling heads can be spaced apart at various lateral distances between them on their corresponding lateral support members. That is, the position of each modeling head in the two-dimensional matrix can be freely adjusted depending on the dimensions of the article to be manufactured, etc.

[0012] The lateral support members are mounted such that they can be relatively adjustable, for example, by a vertical adjustment device of the stereolithography apparatus, which may include, for example, at least one adjustment motor for varying the relative spacing of the lateral support members. In other words, the longitudinal distance of the lateral support members along the longitudinal axis may be electrically adjustable, i.e. electronically controllable.

[0013] In one design, to further increase the variability of the proposed SLM apparatus with respect to the number and size of objects that can be produced, the number of print heads per lateral support member can be adjusted, for example, this can consist of releasably or interchangeably fixing the print heads of a given row to the lateral support members.

[0014] For example, a displaceable modeling head may be removable from a given lateral support member. Alternatively or additionally, at least one modeling head may be attached as needed to a modeling head carriage displaceably mounted along the lateral support member, for example, by a simple bayonet connection with dowel pins and / or magnetic attachment to the lateral support member.

[0015] For example, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes an arrangement system that allows the modeling heads to be individually attached to and removed from the corresponding lateral support members. This eliminates the need for manual intervention by a user in the lateral support members to change the number of modeling heads on a given lateral support member, i.e., the number of modeling heads in a given row. In other words, the arrangement system allows the number of modeling heads to be electrically changed by removing each modeling head from the lateral support member or attaching each modeling head to the lateral support member and moving it to a specified position on the lateral support member, for example, by using the lateral adjustment device and / or the vertical adjustment device of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus.

[0016] For example, the SIM device may include a print head magazine in which additional print heads may be stored or in which print heads removed from a lateral support member may be introduced up to a certain number. Of course, multiple print head magazines may be provided for each lateral support member or group of lateral support members, so that print heads may be stored in a given print head magazine and used on multiple lateral support members. Similarly, if it is desired to reduce the number of print heads provided on a given lateral support member for a given additive manufacturing process, print heads for multiple lateral support members may be stored in a given print head magazine.

[0017] In principle, the 3D modeling apparatus may have at least one modeling bed for at least one object to be manufactured, which is provided below the modeling head. In this case, a common modeling bed for multiple rows of modeling heads, i.e. a common modeling bed for multiple objects to be manufactured (simultaneously), may be provided. Similarly, multiple modeling beds may be provided, each one corresponding to exactly one row of modeling heads.

[0018] In one design, to further increase said flexibility whilst accepting a corresponding degree of control complexity, each print head may be associated with a print bed, i.e., each print head may have its own print bed, and in some cases each print bed may be individually adjustable with respect to its associated print head.

[0019] In principle, the build bed of the 3D printing apparatus, in particular the common build bed for the rows or for each row of build heads, can be adjustable along the vertical axis. Alternatively or additionally, it can be adjustable along the transverse and / or longitudinal axis relative to the build heads. The adjustability of the corresponding build bed along the vertical and / or transverse and / or longitudinal axis can then serve to position the build bed relative to the respective build head or build heads before the start of the additive manufacturing process. However, the adjustability naturally also allows for the adjustment of the build bed during the additive manufacturing process. In particular, the adjustment along the vertical axis serves to adjust the build bed while the build heads are kept in a fixed (vertical) position in the 3D printing apparatus, usually during the layer-by-layer construction of the article to be additively manufactured.

[0020] In principle, at least one of the print heads may alternatively or additionally be adjustable on its lateral support member relative to the corresponding print bed during additive manufacturing. As a result, in such a design, it is possible to pre-position each print head on the lateral support member at a certain lateral distance from another print head, not only before additive manufacturing begins. That is, the at least one print head may be adjustable, in particular along a vertical axis and / or along the lateral axis and / or along the longitudinal axis, even during the additive manufacturing process. For example, the entire lateral support member may be adjustable along the vertical axis, making it possible to change the distance from the lateral support member to the print bed.

[0021] In one design example, the SIM device includes an electronic controller that can electrically set the lateral distance between the (corresponding) print heads of a given row along the lateral axis and / or the longitudinal distance between the rows of print heads along the longitudinal axis, and then actuate at least one adjustment motor of the lateral and / or longitudinal adjustment devices to position each print head accordingly.

[0022] Also, the number of print heads in a given row can be electronically settable by a corresponding electronic control, for example the aforementioned positioning system of the present SLM apparatus being actuated by said electronic control for this purpose.

[0023] To facilitate the operation of the 3D modeling apparatus, the electronic control unit connected to the arrangement system may be configured to automatically adjust the positions of the modeling heads of a given row along the (corresponding) horizontal axis and / or the positions of the rows along the vertical axis in an electrically-driven manner according to the dimensions of the article to be manufactured specified through the user interface. That is, the electronic control unit is configured to automatically derive, through a processor, the number of modeling heads to be used for the simultaneous manufacture of multiple articles and how the modeling heads should be positioned relative to each other along the horizontal axis and the vertical axis based on the article parameters provided through the user interface. For example, the user only needs to load data of a generative model of the article to be manufactured through the user interface. Then, at least one processor of the electronic control unit automatically executes instructions of a calculation algorithm stored in the electronic control unit in response to a user command, and the positions of the modeling heads of the two-dimensional matrix of the 3D modeling apparatus are determined and the modeling heads of the two-dimensional matrix are adjusted accordingly. However, it will be appreciated that alternatively or additionally, it may be possible for a user to directly input dimensions of the article to be manufactured multiple times via the user interface.

[0024] The attached drawings illustrate design examples of the proposed solution. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is an oblique view and a cross-sectional view showing a design example of the proposed 3D printing device, in which multiple printing heads are adjustable along two mutually perpendicular directions in space, and the printing heads can be variably positioned with respect to their lateral and vertical distances from each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a design example of the proposed 3D printing apparatus D. A plurality of rows 20A-20E of printing heads 3.1, 3.2, 3.3-3.n are arranged in a front-to-back manner above a printing platform or printing bed 1. The portion of the 3D printing apparatus D that is provided for additive manufacturing of a plurality of articles from the printing heads 3.1, ..., 3.n also includes an extrusion device, not shown in FIG. 1. The extrusion device includes at least one extruder that supplies printing material to the printing heads 3.1, ..., 3.n.

[0027] Each row 20A-20E includes a number of modeling heads 3.1, ..., 3.n arranged next to each other along a transverse axis Qa-Qe that runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. In other words, the 3D modeling apparatus D has a two-dimensional matrix of modeling heads 3.1, ..., 3.n in the xy plane. This allows for the simultaneous additive manufacturing of identical articles in parallel. However, it is also possible to simultaneously manufacture articles of different geometric configurations by correspondingly activating the modeling heads 3.1, ..., 3.n and possibly also a modeling bed independent of these.

[0028] In the illustrated three-dimensional modeling apparatus D, each of the modeling heads 3.1, ..., 3.n in a given row 20A-20E is supported on a corresponding lateral support member 21 above the modeling bed 1 along a corresponding lateral axis Qa-Qe. Each of the lateral support members 21 is fixed to a corresponding carrier member 2A-2E of the given row 20A-20E. At this time, each of the carrier members 2A-2E, i.e., the corresponding lateral support member 21, is supported so as to be displaceable along a vertical axis L. This allows the vertical distance b between each of the rows 20A-20E of the modeling heads 3.1, ..., 3.n to be freely adjusted.

[0029] Furthermore, each of the modeling heads 3.1, ..., 3.n in a given row 20A-20E can be positioned at various lateral distances a relative to each other on the corresponding lateral support member 21. In this way, the modeling heads 3.1, ..., 3.n can be positioned at desired distances relative to each other along both the lateral direction y and the longitudinal direction x. The positions of the modeling heads 3.1, ..., 3.n along the corresponding lateral axes Qa-Qe and longitudinal axis L (in the latter case, the positions of each row) can be electrically set by the electronic control unit 6 of the 3D modeling apparatus.

[0030] The electronics 6 can control both the vertical adjustment device 4 and the lateral adjustment device 5 of the 3D modeling apparatus D. The vertical adjustment device 4 and the lateral adjustment device 5 include at least one adjustment motor, and possibly multiple adjustment motors for each row 20A-20E. In response to electronic control signals from the control electronics 6, the carrier members 2A-2E, i.e., the lateral support members 21, can be vertically spaced apart from one another in a specified manner, and correspondingly, the modeling heads 3.1, ..., 3.n on a given lateral support member 21 can be laterally spaced apart from one another in a corresponding row 20A-20E in a specified manner.

[0031] A user interface 60 may be part of the electronic controller 6. The user interface 60 allows the user to specify the dimensions of the article to be produced. The electronic controller 6 then determines the positions where the modeling heads 3.1, ..., 3.n should be positioned in the 3D modeling apparatus for the corresponding specified dimensions. The electronic controller 6 uses stored algorithms to actuate the positioning system of the 3D modeling apparatus D, including the longitudinal adjustment device 4 and the lateral adjustment device 5, accordingly.

[0032] In one design example, the arrangement system allows for electrically removing and adding the printing heads 3.1, ..., 3.n, which are electronically controlled by the electronic control unit 6, to one or more lateral supports 21 of the various carrier members 2A-2E. For example, a printing head removed from a given lateral support 21 can be loaded into a corresponding (printing head) magazine of printing heads of the three-dimensional printing device D. Conversely, an additional printing head to be used can be taken from such a (printing head) magazine and automatically loaded into the lateral support 21 of the carrier members 2A-2E. For this purpose, the printing beds 3.1, ..., 3.n can be displaced, for example, on the lateral support 21 individually via each carriage and also row by row by coupling the carriages to each other. The fact that the build heads 3.1, ..., 3.n are displaceably mounted on the corresponding lateral support members 21 means that the positioning of the build heads 3.1, ..., 3.n is not only performed during pre-positioning of the build heads 3.1, ..., 3.n before the additive manufacturing process. Rather, each build head 3.1, ..., 3.n can also be additively manufactured while being displaceable along the lateral support member 21.

[0033] To build up multiple articles from the build heads 3.1,...,3.n, each lateral support member 21 may be adjustable (electronically controlled by electronic controller 6) on a corresponding carrier member 2A-2E along a vertical axis H relative to the build bed 1. This vertical axis H is an axis that extends perpendicular to the xy plane, allowing the build heads 3.1,...,3.n to be variably spaced apart.

[0034] Alternatively or in addition, the modeling bed 1 or a plurality of separate modeling beds associated with each of the modeling heads 3.1, . . . , 3.n or each of the rows 20A to 20E of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus may be adjustable along the vertical axis H. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Build platform / build bed Rows 20A~20E 21 Lateral support member 2A~2E Carrier parts 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.n Printing head 4. Vertical adjustment device 5 Lateral adjustment device 6 Electronic control unit 60 User Interface a Horizontal distance b Vertical distance D 3D modeling device H Vertical axis L Vertical axis Qa~Qe Horizontal axis

Claims

1. a plurality of modeling heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) arranged side by side along a transverse axis (Qa-Qe), each capable of additively manufacturing an article; A three-dimensional modeling apparatus for additive manufacturing, comprising: The three-dimensional modeling apparatus (D) is characterized in that it has at least two rows (20A-20E) arranged front to back along a vertical axis (L), each row including a plurality of modeling heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) arranged adjacent to each other along a horizontal axis (Qa-Qe).

2. 2. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the three-dimensional printing apparatus (D) comprises at least one lateral support member (21) for at least one row (20A-20E) of printing heads (3.1, ..., 3.n), and the printing heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) can be positioned at various lateral distances (a) on the at least one lateral support member (21).

3. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the modeling heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) of a given row (20A to 20E) are displaceably mounted on the corresponding lateral support members (21).

4. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the lateral distance (a) between the modeling heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) of a given row (20A to 20E) on the corresponding lateral support member (21) can be electrically adjusted.

5. 5. A three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the three-dimensional modeling apparatus comprises a plurality of lateral support members (21), and the longitudinal distance (b) between the lateral support members (21) along the longitudinal axis (L) is adjustable.

6. 6. The 3D modeling apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the transverse support members (21) are mounted so as to be relatively adjustable by means of a longitudinal adjustment device (4).

7. 7. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the longitudinal distance (b) between the multiple lateral support members (21) along the longitudinal axis (L) can be electrically adjusted.

8. 8. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the number of modeling heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) per lateral support member (21) can be adjusted.

9. 9. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the three-dimensional printing apparatus (D) is provided with an arrangement system that enables the printing heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) to be individually mounted on and removed from the corresponding lateral support members (21).

10. A three-dimensional printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the three-dimensional printing apparatus (D) comprises at least one printing bed (1) for at least one article to be manufactured, which is arranged below the printing head (3.1, ..., 3.n).

11. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that a common modeling bed (1) for a plurality of articles to be manufactured is associated with a plurality of rows (20A to 20E) of modeling heads (3.1, ..., 3.n).

12. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the common printing bed (1) can be adjusted relative to the printing heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) along a vertical axis (H) and / or along the lateral axes (Qa-Qe) and / or along the longitudinal axis (L).

13. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that exactly one row (20A-20E) of modeling heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) corresponds to exactly one modeling bed (1) for multiple articles to be manufactured.

14. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the printing bed (1) can be adjusted relative to the printing heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) of one row (20A-20E) along the vertical axis (H) and / or the lateral axis (Qa-Qe) and / or the longitudinal axis (L).

15. 11. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that exactly one modeling head (3.1, ..., 3.n) is associated with exactly one modeling bed (1) for exactly one article to be manufactured.

16. A three-dimensional printing apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 15 when dependent on any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the printing heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) can be adjusted on its lateral support member (21) relative to the corresponding printing bed (1) during additive manufacturing.

17. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 16 when dependent on any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that at least one lateral support member (21) can be adjusted relative to the corresponding printing bed (1) during additive manufacturing.

18. 18. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the three-dimensional modeling apparatus (D) is equipped with an electronic control unit (6) capable of electrically setting the lateral distance (a) along the lateral axis (Qa to Qe) between the modeling heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) of a given row (20A to 20E) and / or the vertical distance (b) along the vertical axis (L) between the rows (20A to 20E).

19. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus described in claim 18 when dependent on any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the number of the modeling heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) in a given row (20A to 20E) can be electrically set by the electronic control unit (6).

20. In the three-dimensional modeling apparatus described in claim 18 or 19, the electronic control unit (6) is connected to an arrangement system of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus (D) and is configured to automatically and electrically adjust the positions of the modeling heads (3.1, ..., 3.n) of a given row (20A to 20E) along the horizontal axis (Qa to Qe) and / or the positions of the rows (20A to 20E) along the vertical axis (L) in accordance with the dimensions of the article to be manufactured specified from a user interface (60).

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