Powder material bottle tilt protection

Abstract

The anti-tip device (1) for a machine for manufacturing a compact by building up a layer of powder material includes a holding device (11) for holding a powder material bottle (2) coupled to a filling interface (3) of the machine, and a device for generating a holding force coupled to the holding device (11). The holding device (11) is arranged in a first state at a first position (Z1) to enable coupling or decoupling of the powder material bottle (2) with the filling interface (3). The holding device (2) is arranged in a second state at a second position (Z2) to transmit a holding force to the powder material bottle (2) coupled to the filling interface (3).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tilt protection for a machine for producing compacts by building up layers of powder material, and is intended in particular to prevent material powder bottles from tipping over or falling when filling the material powder container of the machine.

[0002] Machines for selective laser melting (SLM) manufacture components (molded bodies) in layers of powder material. In this case, the powder material is applied in a thin layer, for example, to a base plate and then completely remelted locally using laser radiation. During solidification, a solid material layer is formed. The base plate is then lowered by the layer thickness and another layer of powder is applied. This process is repeated until the component is completely built up in layers. The finished component is then cleaned of excess powder and further processed as required.

[0003] Furthermore, there are laser processing machines for additive manufacturing that are equipped with powder nozzles that deliver powder material in a targeted manner to a processing location where the powder material is melted at the focus of the laser beam in order to additively manufacture shaped bodies.

[0004] A typical apparatus for producing a mold by building up layers of powder material is disclosed, for example, in EP 2052845.

[0005] The present application relates in particular to tilt protection for machines in which shaped bodies are additively built by melting a material powder by means of laser radiation. The material powder may in particular be a metal powder or a plastic powder. In summary, the term "additive manufacturing machine" is used below for such machines.

[0006] Powder materials used in additive manufacturing machines are typically stored in a powder material tank, which must be replenished as the powder material is consumed. The powder material tank is filled, for example, through a fill opening or fill interface. A powder container or powder material bottle can be placed on such a fill interface for filling. A typical powder container can have a maximum mass of approximately 25 kg when fully filled. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for the fill interface to be approximately 2 m high, which can result in the filling process posing a risk of injury to the personnel involved.

[0007] The term "powder ingredient bottle" is used in this application for ease of explanation and is not intended to limit the shape of the powder container to that of a bottle. The term "powder ingredient bottle" also includes powder containers of other shapes or powder containers that are not bottle-shaped, such as wide-mouth barrels.

[0008] In this application, "operator" specifically refers to a person who interacts with the filling interface to fill the powder container into the main tank.

[0009] In particular, there is a risk that the powder container may tip over and / or fall during filling, which may result in injury to the worker. Therefore, to reduce the risk of injury to the worker, it is necessary to prevent the container from tipping over and / or falling.

[0010] The problems known in the prior art are overcome according to the present invention by the tilt protection as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the accompanying drawings and the following description of exemplary embodiments.

[0011] The tilt protection includes a holding device for holding the powder material bottle (powder container) connected to the filling interface of the machine. The "connected" state can refer to a state in which the powder material bottle is merely placed or attached to the filling interface, but is not yet firmly connected. The holding device holds the powder material bottle, preventing it from tipping or falling before it is firmly screwed in place. This reduces the risk of injury to the operator. Furthermore, the operator has both hands free to securely connect the powder container to the filling interface.

[0012] The holding device is coupled to a device for generating a holding force, which serves to hold the powder material bottle, and which can be generated by a spring or a weight, among others.

[0013] The pressure device is disposed in a first state at a first position to allow coupling or decoupling of the powder material bottle from the filling interface. In other words, the pressure device can be placed in the first position by, for example, displacing and / or rotating the pressure device. When the pressure device is disposed in the first position, the powder material bottle can be inserted or removed without being obstructed by the pressure device. In other words, the distance of the pressure device from the filling interface in the first position is preferably greater than the maximum length of the powder material bottle.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the hold-down device can be fixed in the first position. For this purpose, a latch mechanism can be provided which can be released, for example, by a lever. The latch mechanism can, for example, be part of the movement mechanism described below.

[0015] In the second state, the hold-down device is disposed in a second position, in which the hold-down device contacts the powder material bottle coupled to the filling interface to transmit the generated holding force to the powder material bottle.

[0016] The device for generating a holding force can have a motion mechanism that can guide the motion of the hold-down device. The motion can include rotational and / or translational motion. For example, the motion mechanism can guide the linear displacement of the hold-down device along an axis or the rotation about an axis.

[0017] The device for generating a holding force generates a holding force that prevents the powder container from tipping over or falling when not connected to the filling interface. The holding force can be generated, for example, by a spring that expands and contracts in response to the linear displacement of the holding device, generating a reaction force proportional to the linear displacement. The reaction force cancels out the linear displacement of the holding device starting from the start position (first position).

[0018] In an alternative embodiment, instead of a spring, a weight can be used which generates the holding force through a corresponding gravitational force, the advantage here being that the gravitational force is always the same regardless of the position of the hold-down device.

[0019] When the powder material bottle is not coupled to the filling interface, the pressure device can be positioned in a first position. The first position may also be referred to as a start position. The pressure device can preferably be displaced from the start position in only one direction, for example, parallel to gravity.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the hold-down device is movable in a region between a first position and a maximum deflection, referred to as a third position.

[0021] If a spring is used, the spring force according to a preferred embodiment can be equal to 0 in the third position, or preferably the spring force is very small.

[0022] From the third position, the hold-down device can be displaced, preferably in a direction opposite to the component of the holding force parallel to gravity. The direction of displacement is defined herein as the positive direction. This positive direction can be referred to, for example, as the positive Z direction. Thus, the direction of the holding force acts in a negative direction. In a preferred embodiment, the direction of the holding force is parallel to the gravity force.

[0023] When receiving the powder material bottle, the press-down device preferably moves against the positive holding force along the axis. A maximum deflection achieved during insertion of the powder material bottle can correspond to the first position. This maximum deflection can depend on the shape of the powder material bottle, for example, its length.

[0024] If a spring is used, it is preferably a compression spring, which has the advantage that the maximum deflection during displacement of the movement mechanism can be limited by the spring without the risk of damaging the spring by excessive tension.

[0025] After the powder material bottle is coupled to the filling interface, the holding device can be displaced from the first position, for example, in the negative Z direction along the axis, to a second position, in which the holding device exerts a holding force on the powder material bottle caused by the holding force generating device (e.g., a spring or a weight), thus preventing the powder material bottle from tipping over or falling.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the presser device comprises a powder material bottle receptacle whose geometric shape allows it to hold a number of different powder material containers with different geometries and prevent them from tipping over. For this purpose, the geometric shape is designed, for example, to taper in a positive direction from its lower opening, so that powder containers with different diameters can be held by contacting the presser device at the tapered point according to their dimensions. For example, a hollow cone or hollow pyramid, which may preferably be rotationally symmetric, is recommended as the geometric shape.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the receptacle may have the shape of a hollow cone, which shape can advantageously be adapted to powder material bottles with different diameters.

[0028] The movement mechanism preferably has a stopper that can limit the displacement or rotation of the presser device, for example, the stopper can have the effect that the presser device can only be displaced from the second position to the second position, i.e., in the negative direction.

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, the stopper can be designed to limit the displacement of the holding device so as to ensure a minimum distance between the holding device and the filling interface, which on the one hand can prevent collisions between the filling interface and the holding device and on the other hand can facilitate insertion of the powder material bottle.

[0030] The movement mechanism preferably has one or more bearings for guiding the shaft, which may be designed, for example, as a rod or rail. The bearings preferably predetermine the direction of displacement and prevent tilting of the movement mechanism during displacement.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the bearings are, for example, plain or rolling bearings, which can ensure a reliable, low-friction guidance of the movement mechanism during displacement.

[0032] A powder material container according to the present invention for a machine for manufacturing a compact by building up a layer of powder material comprises a powder material tank for storing powder material and a filling interface for filling the powder material tank with powder material. According to the present invention, the powder material container has a tilt protection according to the present invention according to one of the aspects described herein.

[0033] The powder material container can be part of a machine for producing a green body, such as an SLM machine or another additive manufacturing machine, or can be coupled to such a machine as an independent module to supply the machine with powder material.

[0034] The filling interface may have a pipe connected to the powder material tank, which serves as a line for filling the powder material tank. The pipe preferably has a closable valve.

[0035] The filling interface may have a closable coupling for coupling the powder material bottle. The powder material bottle can be inserted into the filling interface, and the coupling can be closed to securely connect the filling interface and the powder material bottle. After coupling, for example, a valve on the filling interface and a valve on the powder material bottle can be opened to allow the powder material to flow from the powder material bottle into the powder material tank.

[0036] A machine according to the invention for producing a shaped body by building up a layer of powder material has a powder material container as described above.

[0037] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further advantageous embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, to which the invention is not limited.

[0038] The figure shows, in outline: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a tilt protection according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows the powder material bottles during joining. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a small diameter, bonded powder material bottle held by a tilt protection according to the present invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 shows a large diameter, bonded powder material bottle held by a tilt protection according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Detailed description of the invention with reference to exemplary embodiments In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, the same reference numerals designate the same or equivalent components.

[0041] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a tilt guard 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The tilt guard 1 can be installed, for example, in a powder material cabinet of an additive manufacturing machine to prevent powder material bottles 2 from tipping over and / or falling.

[0042] The tilt protection 1 comprises a hold-down device 11 coupled to a device for generating a holding force 12 having a movement mechanism. The movement mechanism comprises a shaft 14 that is linearly displaceable along the vertical direction in Fig. 1 by means of two bearings 15. The vertical direction shown in the exemplary embodiment should be understood as an example and not as a limitation.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the device 12 for generating a holding force comprises a spring 13 which generates a spring force that, when deflected, results in the holding force.

[0044] At the upper end of the shaft 14, an L-shaped arm 16 is provided that supports the hold-down device 11. At the lower end, the shaft 14 is connected to a spring 13 that generates a corresponding reaction force during the displacement of the shaft 14. Figure 1 shows the hold-down device 11 in a starting position, referred to as the third position Z3. In this third position Z3, the arm 16 rests on a stop 17 that prevents further downward movement.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment, a weight may be used instead of or in addition to the spring 13 to generate the holding force.

[0046] The illustrated hold-down device 11 has the shape of a rotationally symmetric hollow cone so as to be suitable for receiving the bases of different sizes of powder material bottles 2. In other alternative embodiments, the receptacle of the hold-down device 11 can also have the shape of, for example, a hollow pyramid.

[0047] The process of coupling a powder material bottle 2 to a filling interface 3 of a powder material container of an additive manufacturing machine will now be described by way of example with reference to Figures 1 to 3 .

[0048] 1 shows an initial state in which the powder material bottle 2 has not yet been coupled to the filling interface 3. Here, the presser device 11 is located in the third position Z3. The spring 13 is relaxed or slightly stressed. The L-shaped arm 16 of the motion mechanism 12 rests on the stopper 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the motion mechanism 12 is pulled further downward by gravity.

[0049] The powder material bottle 2 includes an interface 21 for coupling to the filling interface 3. Furthermore, the powder material bottle 2 includes a valve 22 that can be opened by rotation to allow the powder material to flow out of the powder material bottle 2.

[0050] The filling interface 3 includes a tube 31 connected to the powder material container. The tube 31 is provided with a valve 32 that can be opened and closed by rotating. The filling interface 3 further includes a coupling 33 that serves to connect to the interface 21 of the powder material bottle 2. The coupling 33 can be opened and closed via a screw 34.

[0051] In the first step, the operator manually rotates the powder material bottle 2 into the tilt guard 1, as shown by the arrow in Figure 1, so that the bottom of the powder material bottle 2 contacts the pressing device 11. The upward base of the powder material bottle 2 presses against the pressing device 11, causing the kinematic system 12 to displace upward. This displacement compresses the spring 13.

[0052] Figure 2 shows the state after the first step. The spring 13 is now compressed. The pressure device 11 is now in what is called the first position Z1. The L-shaped arm 16 is at an indefinite distance from the stop 17. The compressed spring 13 limits the displacement path of the movement mechanism 12. The axis 14 of the tilt protection 1 is guided during displacement by two bearings 15, which can be designed as plain or rolling bearings, for example.

[0053] In the next step, the operator aligns the powder material bottle 2 coaxially with the filling interface 3 so that the interface 21 of the powder material bottle 2 can be inserted into the coupling portion 33 in the state shown in FIG.

[0054] The operator can then couple the powder material bottle 2 to the filling interface 3. To this end, the operator places the powder material bottle 2 with the interface 22 on the filling interface 3. The kinematic system 14 is again displaced downward, and the spring 13 relaxes by a distance between Z1 and Z2. The presser device 11 preferably remains in continuous contact with the powder material bottle 2 as the powder material bottle 2 approaches the filling interface 3.

[0055] 3 (second state), the pressing device 11 is located at a position called second position Z2, which is located between the first position Z1 and the third position Z3 and depends on the size of the powder material bottle 2. Here, the L-shaped arm 16 is not yet resting on the stopper 17.

[0056] Also shown in Figure 3 is the Z axis, which indicates the positive direction of displacement. Thus, displacement from Z1 to Z2 occurs in the negative Z direction. Positions Z1 and Z2 are also shown for comparison with Z3.

[0057] When descending from the first position Z1 to the second position Z2, the spring 13 relaxes by the corresponding distance between Z1 and Z2. However, the spring 13 continues to generate sufficient holding force at the position Z2 to prevent the powder material bottle 2 from tipping over. As soon as the powder material bottle 2 is inserted into the coupling portion 33 together with the interface 22, the operator can release the powder material bottle 2. Here, the powder material bottle 2 is held at its base by the tilt protection 1.

[0058] In this state, the operator has both hands free to securely screw the coupling 33 with the screw 34. Then, the two valves 22 and 32 on the powder material bottle 2 and the filling interface 3 can be opened, so that the powder material can flow into the powder material container.

[0059] In an alternative embodiment, the presser device can be locked in the first position Z1. For this purpose, the movement mechanism can have a latch mechanism that can be released, for example, by a lever. The sequence of inserting the powder material bottle 2 here proceeds in the same way as above.

[0060] First, the operator can lock the presser device 11 in the first position Z1, which is the starting position (first state similar to FIG. 2 ), and then the powder material bottle 2 can be coupled to the filling interface 3 without having to actively push the presser device 11 upward.

[0061] The latch mechanism is then released and the presser device 2 is moved downward (in the negative Z direction) by spring force and / or weight force to a second position (second state, see Figure 3), where the receptacle of the presser device 11 contacts the base of the powder material bottle 2 and holds the powder material bottle 2 by the generated holding force.

[0062] The illustrated embodiment may also allow for rotational movement of the hold-down device about axis 14. For example, to couple a large powder material bottle 2 to the filling interface 3, it may be advantageous to rotate the hold-down device 11 about axis 14.

[0063] Figure 4 shows a further example of a situation corresponding to Figure 3, with a powder material bottle 2' having a larger diameter than the powder material bottle 2 of Figure 3. Due to the hollow conical shape of the receptacle of the holding device 11, the larger base of the powder material bottle 2' can also be held by the holding device 11.

[0064] Furthermore, the powder material bottle 2' in Figure 4 is shorter than the powder material bottle 2 in Figure 3, and the resulting position Z2' is located below position Z2 and therefore near position Z3. Therefore, the movement mechanism 12 allows the tilting guard 1 to be used with powder material bottles of different lengths.

[0065] It should be noted that the figure shows a cross section of the presser device 11. The receptacle of the presser device 11 is preferably rotationally symmetrical, in particular so that the circular bottle base of the powder material bottle 2 can contact the receptacle of the presser device 11 along its edge. Thus, the presser device 11 can receive and hold powder material bottles 2 of different diameter sizes.

[0066] Thus, a large number of different powder material bottles can be used with the tilt protection 1. The receptacle of the hold-down device 11 can, on the one hand, accept different diameters and, on the other hand, the movement mechanism 12 can be adapted to different lengths.

[0067] Preferably, the inside of the receptacle can be coated with rubber or other material to increase adhesion between the powder material bottle 2 and the receptacle so as to prevent the powder material bottle 2 from slipping inside the receptacle.

[0068] For clarity, not all reference numbers from FIG. 1 are shown in FIGS.

[0069] The features disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the drawings may be important both individually and in any desired combination for implementing the invention in its various embodiments.

Claims

1. A tilt protection (1) for a machine for producing compacts by building up layers of powder material, comprising: a presser device (11) for holding a powder material bottle (2) coupled to a filling interface (3) of the machine; a device (12) for generating a holding force, connected to the holding device (11); the pressing device (11) is arranged in a first state at a first position (Z1) to allow coupling or decoupling of the filling interface (3) and the powder material bottle (2); The tilt protection (1) is arranged in a second state at a second position (Z2) to transmit the holding force to a powder material bottle (2) coupled to the filling interface (3).

2. 2. The tilt protection (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hold-down device (11) has receptacles configured to hold powder material bottles (2) of different sizes and / or geometric shapes.

3. 3. The tilt protection (1) according to claim 2, wherein the receptacle has the shape of a hollow cone, a hollow truncated cone, a hollow pyramid, or a hollow truncated pyramid.

4. Tilt protection (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device (12) for generating the holding force comprises a spring (13).

5. 5. A tilt protection (1) according to claim 4, wherein the spring (13) is a compression spring.

6. Tilt protection (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device (12) for generating the holding force comprises a weight.

7. The tilt protection (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the device (12) for generating the holding force has a movement mechanism configured to guide a linear and / or rotational movement of the hold-down device (11) along and / or about an axis (14).

8. 8. A tilt protection (1) according to claim 7, wherein the movement mechanism has stops (17) for limiting the linear and / or rotational movement of the hold-down device (11).

9. 9. Tilt protection (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the movement mechanism has one or more bearings and / or guides (15) for guiding the shaft (14).

10. 10. Tilt protection (1) according to claim 9, wherein the bearing (15) is a plain bearing or a rolling bearing.

11. 1. A powder material container for a machine for producing compacts by building up layers of powder material, comprising: a powder material tank for storing the powder material; a filling interface (3) for filling the powder material tank with powder material; A powder material container comprising a tilt protection according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. 12. The powder material container according to claim 11, wherein the filling interface (3) comprises a pipe section (31) connected to the powder material tank.

13. 13. The container for powder material according to claim 12, wherein the tube section (31) has a closable valve (32).

14. 14. The container for powder material according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the filling interface (3) has a closable coupling (33) for coupling a powder material bottle (2).

15. Machine for producing compacts by building up layers of powder material, characterized in that it comprises a powder material container according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

Images