Additive manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an additive manufacturing facility (1) including a stereolithography machine (3) having a process chamber (5), a plurality of incoming articles (7, 9, 11), and a loading system (14) for positioning the incoming articles (7, 9, 11) from a first loading zone (15) to a second loading zone (17a, b), wherein the second loading zone (17a, b) is located above and / or below the process chamber (5). The loading system (14) includes a lifting column (21), at least one support arm (23), and at least one incoming article carrier (25), wherein the at least one support arm (23) is mechanically connected to the lifting column (21) for vertically ascending and descending along the lifting column (21), and the at least one incoming article carrier (25) is mechanically connected to the at least one support arm (23) for moving along a defined horizontal path relative to the lifting column (21). The first loading zone (15) is located in the front region (31) of the loading system (14), and the second loading zone (17a, b) is located in the rear region (33) of the loading system (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to equipment for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional workpieces. In particular, the present disclosure relates to additive manufacturing equipment for continuous production on an industrial scale, and the additive manufacturing equipment includes a plurality of additive manufacturing machines for parallel additive manufacturing of three-dimensional workpieces. More specifically, the additive manufacturing machine is preferably configured to apply the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) method as an additive manufacturing technique for manufacturing metal workpieces.

[0002] Additive manufacturing of three-dimensional workpieces is often called 3D printing. A specific form of additive manufacturing is the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) method, in which a layer of raw material powder is exposed to an electromagnetic radiation high-energy beam such as a laser beam or a particle beam, for example, to selectively sinter and / or melt the particles of the raw material powder. A three-dimensional workpiece is manufactured by sequentially sintering and / or melting each layer of the raw material powder.

[0003] Compared with conventional manufacturing techniques such as shaping, the additive manufacturing of a single three-dimensional workpiece consumes a significant amount of time. Therefore, in the early days of 3D printing, additive manufacturing was primarily applied to prototyping or a small number of individual parts. However, since additive manufacturing offers the possibility of designing and manufacturing components that cannot be produced using other conventional manufacturing techniques, there is a demand to use additive manufacturing in continuous production on an industrial scale. Continuous production on an industrial scale requires the rapid and safe loading and unloading of specific items to be carried into the additive manufacturing machine for construction work. For example, before construction work can begin, a new construction chamber must be placed in the operating position below the process chamber, and after the construction work is completed, the filled construction chamber must be removed. Another example is the supply of raw material powder. Depending on the type of raw material powder supply system used by the equipment, the raw material powder tank must be refilled or replaced before or during construction work to supply sufficient raw material powder to the additive manufacturing machine. Other items to be carried, such as the lid of the construction chamber or the raw material powder funnel, must be transported and accurately positioned for continuous additive manufacturing on an industrial scale.

[0004] All of these items to be carried have in common that they are usually quite heavy, for example, from 40 kg to over 6,000 kg. The rapid, accurate, and safe handling of such heavy items to be carried is a particular challenge for continuous additive manufacturing on an industrial scale. Typically, a forklift or a jack lift is manually operated and moved by an operator. A relatively large operating area must be isolated for safety reasons. The accurate positioning of the items to be carried requires specific operating skills and is time-consuming. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an additive manufacturing facility that enables faster and safer handling of heavy items to be carried into and out of the additive manufacturing machine of the additive manufacturing equipment.

[0006] The solution to this problem is provided by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments can be inferred from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a stereolithography apparatus having a process chamber, a plurality of load items, and a loading system for positioning the load items from a first loading zone to a second loading zone, wherein the second loading zone is located above and / or below the process chamber, the loading system includes a lifting column, at least one support arm, and at least one load item carrier, the at least one support arm is mechanically connected to the lifting column to vertically move up and down along the lifting column, the at least one load item carrier is mechanically connected to the at least one support arm to move along a defined horizontal path with respect to the lifting column, the first loading zone is located in the front region of the loading system, and the second loading zone above and / or below the process chamber is located in the rear region of the loading system.

[0008] In other words, the elevating column is axially positioned between the first loading zone and the second loading zone. For a better understanding of terms related to space within the additive manufacturing facility, such as "axial direction", "lateral", "above", "below", it is useful to define a specific right-handed Cartesian coordinate system of the additive manufacturing facility, where the z-axis extends vertically, the y-axis extends horizontally laterally, and the x-axis extends horizontally in the axial direction. Therefore, the elevating column extends along the z-axis, at least one support arm extends at least partially laterally along the y-axis, and at least one loaded article carrier is axially movable along the x-axis with respect to the elevating column. Accordingly, the yz plane covered by the elevating column and at least one support arm separates the front region (positive x-axis side) and the rear region (negative x-axis side) of the loading system. Therefore, the loading system can pick up a loaded article in the front region of the loading system and can position the loaded article in the rear region of the loading system. Naturally, reverse transportation from the second loading zone in the rear region back to the first loading zone in the front region is also possible. It should be noted that the ordinal numbers "first", "second", "third" of the loading zones here indicate, in that order, the arrival of a specific loaded article at the loading zones during the loading process. Therefore, particularly when the loading system is configured to load two or more types of loaded articles, there may be two or more second loading zones.

[0009] Note that the second loading zone is preferably located at a higher altitude than the first loading zone. The first loading zone can be located at ground level or on an elevated stationary platform on which a forklift or a jack lift can travel. For example, the first loading zone may be accessible via a ramp for placing the loaded articles in the first loading zone by a forklift or a jack lift. For example, if the additive manufacturing facility includes an additive manufacturing machine having a process chamber at ground level or slightly above ground level with the second loading zone below, the second loading zone can also be located at the same or a lower altitude than the first loading zone. Preferably, the first zone is the same for all types of loaded articles, i.e., the first loading zone can be the entry zone where any type of loaded article enters the loading system. The loaded articles may reach the first loading zone manually or by another automated conveying system. Alternatively, the first loading zone may be a waiting zone, especially without further access other than by the loading system. The second loading zone may vary depending on the type of loaded article. A third loading zone may be used as a waiting zone for one or more types of loaded articles.

[0010] Optionally, the lifting column may be in a state fixed particularly in the horizontal xy plane. This is beneficial for positioning accuracy because it is not necessary to accurately reproduce the specified position of the lifting column. Alternatively, the lifting column may be accurately positionable laterally along the horizontal y-axis, preferably on a rail. Such mobility along the lateral y-axis can be useful for the loading system to serve two or more additive manufacturing machines of the additive manufacturing facility arranged along the lateral y-axis. Whether the lifting column is fixed or movable, the storage or shelf system may be part of the additive manufacturing facility and may be served by the loading system. Such a storage or shelf system may have "single depth" and "double depth" along the x-axis. The double depth has the advantage that two loaded articles can be waited for or stored by the loading system one behind the other in the x-direction.

[0011] Optionally, the lifting column may have a vertical lifting range extending from at least the first loading zone above the processor chamber. The number and position of the second loading zone may be determined according to the various types of loaded articles that the loading system is configured to load. If the loading system is very specialized to load only the construction chamber, one second loading zone may be sufficient. However, if the loading system is more versatile to also load the raw material powder tank, another second loading zone above the process chamber to be reached is beneficial. When the raw material powder tank is arranged and connected to such a second loading zone at an altitude higher than the process chamber, the raw material powder can fall by gravity from the raw material powder tank to the buffer tank of the process chamber to supply sufficient raw material powder during the construction operation.

[0012] Optionally, the types of items that can be carried in by the loading system may be a construction chamber, a raw material powder tank, a lid of the construction chamber, a service module, a filter module, spare parts, worn parts, a cleaning mechanism, a maintenance robot, an overflow container and / or a raw material powder funnel. It should be noted that the lid of the construction chamber can act as a raw material powder funnel when the construction chamber rotates upside down for powder removal after the construction work is completed. If the application is wide enough for the loading system to also carry the lid / funnel of the construction chamber, it is beneficial to have a further third loading zone located above the first loading zone in the front region. The third loading zone can be used to remove and place the lid / funnel during the construction work. After the construction work, the loading system can position the construction chamber in the third loading zone so that it can be closed by the placed lid / funnel for further transportation, cooling and / or powder removal. The third loading zone can be used to wait for the closed construction chamber after the construction work.

[0013] Optionally, at least one item carrier may be telescopically horizontally movable relative to the support arm. This is beneficial for providing accurate and reproducible automatic positioning of the item to be loaded in the axial x-direction, i.e., forward-backward.

[0014] Optionally, at least one item carrier may be horizontally movable from the front region to the rear region of the loading system relative to the support arm. This has the advantage that the lifting column does not need to be movable in the axial x-direction, i.e., forward-backward. Therefore, the lifting column can be fixed in the x-direction, which significantly reduces the space consumption of the loading system.

[0015] Optionally, the loading system may further include a motor for raising and lowering at least one loaded article carrier along the lifting column by vertically raising and lowering the support arm. For example, the motor can drive a lead screw that extends vertically along the z-axis to raise and lower the support arm. Alternatively, the motor may pull up a chain or belt along the lifting column to raise and lower the support arm.

[0016] Preferably, the loading system may comprise two parallel lifting columns having a lateral distance from each other, i.e., in the y-direction. Between the lifting columns, the support arm can extend laterally, i.e., in the y-direction, in the form of a support bridge that is vertically movable between the lifting columns. Each lifting column may be provided with a motor, or one drive motor may be mechanically connected to drive both lifting columns. The advantage of the two lifting columns is greater stability due to the distribution of the weight being lifted.

[0017] Optionally, each of the incoming articles may have an axial extension (axial elongation), i.e., an extension (elongation / length) in the x-direction, that is less than or equal to the maximum axial load item extension defined by the incoming system (maximum axial load item elongation). At least one incoming article carrier is movable along an axial horizontal movement path length with respect to the lifting column, i.e., in the x-direction, and the axial horizontal movement path length is longer than the maximum axial load item extension (maximum axial load item elongation). Preferably, the axial horizontal movement path length is at least twice as long as, or more preferably at least three times as long as, the maximum axial load item extension. This is particularly useful for the incoming system to provide double-depth storage or shelving systems such that the incoming system can wait for or store two incoming articles back-to-back in the x-direction. The maximum axial load item extension may be defined by the axial extension of the largest incoming article that the incoming system is to receive. This could be, for example, the largest raw material powder tank to be received. The axial horizontal movement path length is determined according to the axial distance of the incoming zone with respect to the lifting column. The center of the first incoming zone in the front region has an axial distance x 1 from the lifting column, and the center of the second incoming zone in the rear region has an axial distance x 2 from the lifting column, and the axial horizontal movement path length is at least x 1 +x 2 . Thus, the maximum axial load item extension X can satisfy the following measurement criteria, i.e.,

[0018]

Number

[0019]

Number

[0020] Optionally, at least one loading article carrier may be in the form of a fork and may include two carrier legs extending laterally with respect to the support arm in the axial direction, and the carrier legs are configured to lift the loading article with the fork in the axial direction. This is advantageous for a stable and safe loading process.

[0021] Optionally, each of the loading articles may have a lateral extension (lateral elongation / transverse elongation / lateral length) that is less than or equal to the maximum lateral load item extension defined by the distance between the two carrier legs. This is beneficial for lifting the loading article with the fork on a dedicated lateral support surface disposed on the lateral side of the loading article. Therefore, a transport pallet is not required to lift the loading article with the fork from below.

[0022] Optionally, the additive manufacturing facility may further include a post-treatment station, such as a powder removal station, a heating / cooling station, and / or an inactivation station, preferably at a height higher than the first loading zone and preferably located in the front region of the loading system. The loading system is configured to position the construction chamber in a second loading zone below the process chamber located in the rear region of the loading system before the construction operation, and the loading system is further configured to position the construction chamber in the post-treatment station for post-treating the construction chamber after the construction operation, for example, heating, cooling, inactivating, and / or removing powder from the construction chamber. The post-treatment station can define a third loading zone.

[0023] Optionally, the loading system may be programmable to automatically pick up the loaded article from the first loading zone and to automatically position the loaded article in the second loading zone, where the second loading zone is located at a higher altitude than the first loading zone.

[0024] Optionally, the additive manufacturing facility may include a third loading zone located above the first loading zone in the front region of the loading system.

[0025] Optionally, as part of the present invention described above or as a separate and independent inventive aspect, the loading system may be configured to raise the build chamber from a second loading zone below the process chamber to an elevated operating position below the process chamber. Thus, the task of the elevator of the additive manufacturing facility can be performed using the loading system to vertically position the build chamber in its operating position. Thus, such an elevator may no longer be required. As a separate and independent inventive aspect, the raising to the operating position may be performed by a loading system having the first loading zone and the second loading zone on the same side, i.e., in this case the loading system can load and unload only on one side, either the front side or the rear side, on which side the process chamber is located.

[0026] Next, further embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by way of example with reference to the following figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4a

Figure 4b

Figure 4c

Figure 5a

Figure 5b

Figure 5c

[0028] Figs. 1 to 3 show the most relevant units of the additive manufacturing facility 1 from various viewpoints for more detailed explanation in the present disclosure. For better spatial orientation and understanding of terms related to space, such as "axial direction", "lateral (transverse direction)", "above", "below", each figure shows a specific right-handed Cartesian coordinate system of the additive manufacturing facility 1, where the z-axis extends vertically, the y-axis extends horizontally laterally, and the x-axis extends horizontally axially.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the additive manufacturing facility 1 includes an additive manufacturing machine 3, and only its process chamber 5 is schematically shown as a box in the additive manufacturing machine 3. The additive manufacturing machine 3 is a laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) machine having a process chamber 5, and exposes a layer of raw material powder to an electromagnetic radiation high-energy beam such as a laser beam or a particle beam, for example, to selectively sinter and / or melt the particles of the raw material powder. By sequentially sintering and / or melting each layer of the raw material powder, a three-dimensional workpiece is additively manufactured in a construction operation. Before the construction operation can start, the construction chamber 7 will be placed in an operating position below the bottom opening in the process chamber 5. When the construction operation starts, the vertically movable base plate in the construction chamber 7 is in the uppermost position, so that the first layer of the raw material powder is placed on the base plate of the construction chamber 7. After each layer of the raw material powder is selectively sintered or melted, the base plate moves downward by one layer thickness to receive a new layer of the raw material powder to be selectively sintered or melted next. In this way, the base plate moves stepwise downward in the construction chamber 7 until the construction operation is completed. After the construction operation, the base plate is in a low position in the construction chamber 7, and the additively manufactured three-dimensional workpiece is contained in the construction chamber 7. Then, the construction chamber 7 is removed from the process chamber 5, closed by a funnel-shaped lid 9, and transported for cooling and / or powder removal. It should be noted that the funnel-shaped lid 9 functions as a funnel when the construction chamber 7 rotates upside down in a powder removal station (not shown) to wash off the residual raw material powder from the manufactured workpiece into a powder recycling system (not shown) after the completed construction operation. The raw material powder required during the construction operation is supplied, in the illustrated example, by a raw material powder tank 11 positioned above the process chamber 5, so that a gravity-driven supply of the raw material powder from the raw material powder tank 11 to the buffer tank 13 of the process chamber 5 is achieved.

[0030] For the efficient operation of the additive manufacturing equipment 1, it is important to minimize the setup time of the additive manufacturing machine 3 between construction operations. The logistics and handling of the construction chamber 7, its lid 9, and the raw material powder tank 11 can be involved in a significant portion of the setup time of the additive manufacturing machine 3. The construction chamber 7, its lid 9, and the raw material powder tank 11 are fairly heavy loading items 7, 9, 11 having a weight of 40 kg to 6,000 kg or more. The rapid, accurate, and safe handling of such heavy loading items 7, 9, 11 is a particular challenge for continuous additive manufacturing on an industrial scale. Therefore, there is a problem of enabling faster and safer handling of the heavy loading items (loads) 7, 9, 11 that are loaded (loaded) and unloaded (unloaded) (loaded and unloaded) to and from the manufacturing machine 3 of the equipment 1.

[0031] To facilitate such handling, the additive manufacturing equipment 1 includes a fixed-type loading system 14. The loading system (loading system) 14 is configured to position the loading items 7, 9, 11 from the first loading zone () 15 to the second loading zones 17a, b. The second loading zone 17a for the construction chamber 7 is located below the process chamber 5, while the second loading zone 17b for the raw material powder tank 11 is located above the process chamber 5. Above the first loading zone 15, there is also a third loading zone 19 for the construction chamber 7 and the lid 9.

[0032] The loading system 14 includes two fixed-type lifting columns 21 that have a lateral distance D from each other, that is, extend vertically along the y-axis, that is, along the z-axis. The loading system 14 further includes a support arm 23 and a loading item carrier 25. The support arm 23 extends in the form of a bridge between the lifting columns 21 and is mechanically connected to the lifting columns 21 to vertically rise and fall along the lifting columns 21. A motor 27 that drives a chain or belt 29 in each lifting column 21 to raise and lower the support arm 23 is provided (here, at the upper end of one of the lifting columns 21).

[0033] The carried-in article carrier 25 is in the form of a fork here for lifting the carried-in articles 7, 9, 11 with the fork, and includes two carrier legs extending laterally with respect to the support arm 23 in the axial direction, that is, along the x-axis. The carried-in article carrier 25 is mechanically connected to the support arm 23 to telescopically move forward and backward along the x-axis and along a prescribed horizontal path with respect to the lifting column 21. It is important that the vertical lifting range H and the axial horizontal movement path length L of the carried-in article carrier 25 with respect to the lifting column 21 are large enough to cover the first loading zone 15 in the front region 31 of the loading system 14 and the second loading zones 17a, b in the rear region 33 of the loading system 14.

[0034] Therefore, the yz plane reached by the lifting column 21 and the support arm 23 separates the front region 31 (positive x-axis side) of the loading system 14 from the rear region 33 (negative x-axis side) of the loading system 14. Therefore, the loading system 14 can pick up the carried-in articles 7, 9, 11 in the front region 31 of the loading system 14, and can also position the carried-in articles 7, 9, 11 in the rear region 33 of the loading system 14. Naturally, reverse transportation from each of the second loading zones 17a, b in the rear region 33 back to the first loading zone 15 in the front region 31 is also possible.

[0035] The first loading zone 15 is located here on an elevated stationary platform 35 where a forklift or a jack lift can easily place the carried-in articles 7, 9, 11. The first loading zone 15 is an entrance zone for putting any type of carried-in articles 7, 9, 11 into the loading system 14. Therefore, the constructed chamber 7, the lid 9, or the raw material powder tank 11 to be carried in or any other carried-in article is first placed in the first loading zone 15 by an operator. Both of the second loading zones 17a, b in the rear region 33 of the loading system 14 are located at a higher altitude than the first loading zone 15.

[0036] Figures 2 and 3 show the state in which the construction chamber 7 closed by the lid 9 is positioned in the first loading zone 15 to be lifted by the fork of the loaded article carrier 25. FIG. 3 shows that an optional ramp 37, which can be used by a forklift or a jack lift to travel on the raised platform 35, can reach the first loading zone 15. The carrier legs of the loaded article carrier 25 have a lateral distance Y from each other so as to fit between the carrier legs for the construction chamber 7 to be lifted by the fork. The loaded article carrier 25 is shown in a considerably forward position, i.e., in a position in the positive x direction, by being telescopically moved forward with respect to the lifting column 21.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the loaded articles has axial expansion portions X 7 , X 9 , X 11 respectively. The axial expansion portions X 7 , X 9 , X 11 are less than the maximum axial loaded article expansion portion X max defined by the loading system 14. In the illustrated example, the raw material powder tank 11 has a maximum axial expansion portion X 11 ≤ X max . To enable the loaded article carrier 25 to pick up the loaded articles 7, 9, 11 in the loading zones 15, 17a, b, 19, the loaded article carrier is movable along an axial horizontal movement path length L with respect to the lifting column 21. The axial horizontal movement path length L is longer than the maximum axial loaded article expansion portion X max . Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the axial horizontal movement path length L is at least three times longer than the maximum axial loaded article expansion portion X max , i.e., L ≥ 3X max . The axial horizontal movement path length L is the axial distance x 15 , x 17a , x 17b , x 19It is determined according to the situation. The axial horizontal movement path length L is the maximum axial distance x among the loading zones 15 and 19 in the front region 31 15 , x 19 and the maximum axial distance x among the loading zones 17a and 17b in the rear region 33 17a , x 17b and is greater than or equal to the sum of them. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the axial horizontal movement path length is L ≧ x 15 + x 17a .

[0038] In FIGS. 2 and 3, the raw material powder tank 11 is already arranged in its second loading zone 17b above the process chamber 5. Here, since the raw material powder tank 11 is the heaviest type of loading article 7, 9, 11 at the highest altitude, the center of the second loading zone 17b for the raw material powder tank 11 is at a distance x from the lifting column 21 1 smaller than the distance x 2b from the first loading zone 15 with respect to the lifting column 21. This reduces the tilting moment caused by the weight imbalance that the loading system 14 needs to withstand.

[0039] FIGS. 4a to 4c and FIGS. 5a to 5c show a series of various loading states that can be performed during the operation of the loading system 14. FIG. 4a shows the state as in FIGS. 2 and 3, where the raw material powder tank 11 is already positioned in its second loading zone 17b above the process chamber 5. The closed construction chamber 7 is just being picked up from the first loading zone 15 by the loading article carrier 25. In FIG. 4b, the closed construction chamber 7 is lifted to the third loading zone 19 for the construction chamber 7, which is located above the first loading zone 15, in order to remove the lid 9 from the construction chamber 7 and place the lid 9 during the construction work. Therefore, in this example, the third loading zone 19 for the construction chamber 7 is the second loading zone for the lid 9.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 4c, the opened construction chamber 7 is then positioned in its second loading zone 17a below the process chamber. The loading system 14 can even be used to perform the final vertical positioning to the operating position for the construction operation. Alternatively, another lifting system of the additive manufacturing facility 1 may pick up the construction chamber 7 from the second loading zone 17a to perform the final vertical positioning to the operating position for the construction operation.

[0041] Fig. 5a shows a state where the raw material powder tank 11 has to be replaced or refilled during the construction operation in order to ensure a continuous supply of the raw material powder. One advantage of the loading system 14 is that the replacement or refill of the raw material powder tank 11 is possible within a short time window such that it can be done during the construction operation. Thus, the replacement or refill is faster than the powder buffer 13 of the additive manufacturing machine 3 becoming empty. Thus, the replacement of the raw material powder tank 11 does not add to the setup time of the additive manufacturing machine 3 between construction operations. In Fig. 5a, a new or refilled full raw material powder tank 11 is just being lifted by the fork by the load carrier 25 from the first loading zone 15. In Fig. 5b, the new or refilled raw material powder tank 11 is already positioned in its dedicated second loading zone 17b above the process chamber 5.

[0042] After the construction operation is completed, as shown in FIG. 5c, the construction chamber 7 containing the laminated workpiece is positioned for cooling in its dedicated third loading zone 19 where the lid 9 was placed during the construction operation. Accordingly, the lid 9 is first returned to the construction chamber 7 (similar to FIG. 4b), so that the closed construction chamber 7 can be cooled in its third loading zone 19. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the third loading zone 19 may be part of a powder removal station where the construction chamber 7 can be rotated upside down so that the residual powder around the workpiece is washed off through the funnel-shaped lid 9 and enters the powder recycling system. While the construction chamber 7 is positioned in the third loading zone 19, the loading system 14 can be used to set up the additive manufacturing machine 3 together with a new construction chamber in order to start the next construction operation as quickly as possible.

Description of the reference numerals

[0043] 1 Additive manufacturing facility 3 Additive manufacturing machine 5 Process chamber 7 Construction chamber 9 Lid / funnel 11 Raw material powder tank 13 Powder buffer 14 Loading system 15 First loading zone 17a, b Second loading zone 19 Third loading zone 21 Lifting strut 23 Support arm 25 Loading item carrier 27 Motor 29 Chain / belt 31 Front area 33 Rear area 35 Platform 37 Lamp D Lateral distance between the lifting struts Y Lateral distance between the carrier legs H Vertical lifting range L Axial horizontal movement path length Xmax Maximum axial direction carried-in article expansion part X 7 Axial direction expansion part of construction chamber X 9 Axial direction expansion part of lid X 11 Axial direction expansion part of raw material powder tank X 15 Axial direction distance of the first carried-in zone with respect to lifting strut X 17a Axial direction distance of the second lower carried-in zone with respect to lifting strut X 17b Axial direction distance of the second upper carried-in zone with respect to lifting strut X 19 Axial direction distance of the third carried-in zone with respect to lifting strut

Claims

1. A stereolithography apparatus (1) comprising: a stereolithography apparatus (3) having a process chamber (5); a plurality of incoming articles (7, 9, 11); and a loading system (14) for positioning the incoming articles (7, 9, 11) from a first loading zone (15) to a second loading zone (17a, b), wherein the second loading zone (17a, b) is located above and / or below the process chamber (5). The loading system (14) includes a lifting column (21), at least one support arm (23), and at least one incoming article carrier (25). The at least one support arm (23) is mechanically connected to the lifting column (21) for vertically ascending and descending along the lifting column (21), and the at least one incoming article carrier (25) is mechanically connected to the at least one support arm (23) for moving along a defined horizontal path with respect to the lifting column (21). The first loading zone (15) is located in the front region (31) of the loading system (14), and the second loading zone (17a, b) is located in the rear region (33) of the loading system (14). A stereolithography apparatus (1) characterized by this.

2. The stereolithography apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lifting column (21) is a fixed type.

3. The stereolithography apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lifting column (21) has a vertical lifting range (H) that extends at least from the first loading zone (15) above the process chamber (5).

4. The stereolithography apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one incoming article carrier (25) is horizontally movable in a telescopic manner with respect to the support arm (23).

5. The stereolithography apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one incoming article carrier (25) is horizontally movable with respect to the support arm (23) from the front region (31) of the loading system (14) to the rear region (33) of the loading system (14).

6. The stereolithography apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further including a motor (27) for raising and lowering the at least one incoming article carrier (25) along the lifting column (21) by vertically raising and lowering the support arm (23).

7. Each of the loaded articles (7, 9, 11) has a maximum axial loaded article expansion part (X defined by the loading system (14) ｍａｘ ) and an axial expansion part (X ７ , X ９ , X １１ ) that is equal to or less than the maximum axial loaded article expansion part. The at least one loaded article carrier (25) is movable along an axial horizontal movement path length (L) with respect to the lifting column (21). The axial horizontal movement path length (L) is longer than the maximum axial loaded article expansion part (X ｍａｘ ). The additive manufacturing facility (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The axial direction horizontal movement path length (L) is at least twice, preferably at least three times longer than the maximum axial direction carried-in article expansion part (X ｍａｘ ), and the additive manufacturing facility (1) according to claim 7.

9. The at least one carried-in article carrier (25) is fork-shaped and includes two carrier legs extending laterally with respect to the support arm (23) in the axial direction, and the carrier legs are configured to lift the carried-in articles (7, 9, 11) with the fork in the axial direction. The additive manufacturing facility (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Each of the carried-in articles (7, 9, 11) has a lateral expansion that is less than or equal to a maximum lateral carried-in article expansion defined by a distance (Y) between the two carrier legs. The additive manufacturing facility (1) according to claim 9.

11. The carried-in articles (7, 9, 11) include at least one article (7, 9, 11) selected from the group of carried-in article types including a build chamber (7), a raw material powder tank (11), a lid (9) of the build chamber, and a raw material powder funnel (9). The additive manufacturing facility according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The additive manufacturing facility (1) further includes a post-processing station located in the front region (31) of the loading system (14), preferably at a height higher than the first loading zone (15). The loading system (14) is configured to position the build chamber (7) in the second loading zone (17a) below the process chamber (5) before the building operation, and the loading system (14) is further configured to position the build chamber (7) in the post-processing station for post-processing the build chamber (7) after the building operation. The additive manufacturing facility (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The loading system (14) is programmable to automatically pick up the carried-in articles (7, 9, 11) from the first loading zone (15) and to automatically position the carried-in articles (7, 9, 11) in the second loading zones (17a, b). The second loading zones (17a, b) are located at a height higher than the first loading zone (15). The additive manufacturing facility (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Including a third loading zone (19), and the third loading zone (19) is located above the first loading zone (15) in the front region (31) of the loading system (14). The additive manufacturing facility (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The loading system (14) is configured to raise the construction chamber (7) from the second loading zone (17a) below the process chamber (5) to a raised operating position below the process chamber (5), the additive manufacturing facility (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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