Additive manufacturing device

Abstract

An additive manufacturing apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by solidifying a molding material by electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, and in particular photocuring a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength, comprises: - a container device that defines a receiving volume for receiving a molding material that can be solidified by electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, in particular a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength; - at least one first irradiation device; - at least one second irradiation device; and - at least one polarizing device assigned to at least one first irradiation device and at least one second irradiation device, wherein the at least one polarizing device has a total light receiving angle of at least 8°.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a layered manufacturing apparatus that solidifies a shaping material by electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, particularly photocuring a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength to laminate and manufacture a three-dimensional object.

Background Art

[0002] Each layered manufacturing apparatus that solidifies a shaping material by electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength to laminate and manufacture a three-dimensional object is known from the prior art, and continuously and selectively performs irradiation of a specific wavelength to solidify a shaping material that can be solidified. The irradiated area of the shaping material solidifies to form a cross-section of the three-dimensional object to be shaped, enabling the layered manufacturing of the three-dimensional object.

[0003] Each apparatus is implemented as a selective laser sintering (SLS) apparatus configured to continuously irradiate, particularly in layers, a powdery shaping material, such as a powdery polymer material, with electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, such as a directional light beam. Thereby, the corresponding area of the shaping material melts and then cools and solidifies to form a cross-section of the three-dimensional object to be shaped. Further, each apparatus is implemented as a photocuring apparatus configured to sequentially irradiate, particularly in layers, a photocurable liquid shaping material, such as a photocurable resin, with electromagnetic waves of a specific wavelength, such as a directional light beam and / or an irradiation light image. Thereby, a predetermined area of the shaping material cures and solidifies to form a cross-section of the three-dimensional object to be shaped.

[0004] In any case, each apparatus includes at least one irradiation device configured to irradiate electromagnetic irradiation, such as a directional light beam and / or an irradiation light image, in the direction of a predetermined area of the shaping material to form each cross-section of the three-dimensional object to be shaped. Each irradiation device typically includes a polarization device configured to allow only electromagnetic irradiation polarized at a specific angle to pass through. In particular, each polarization device allows electromagnetic irradiation of a specific polarization deflected at a specific angle to pass through the polarization device, but electromagnetic irradiation of the same specific polarization deflected at different angles, particularly at a perpendicular angle, cannot pass through the polarization device and is reflected from the polarization device.

[0005] Each polarization device is provided in particular when each device comprises a first irradiation device, such as an optical image irradiation device, and a second irradiation device, such as a laser device, wherein the first irradiation device is configured to generate an optical image corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of the three-dimensional object being additively fabricated, the optical image having a first wavelength and a first polarization, the first wavelength in particular corresponding to a specific wavelength of the fabricated material and enabling the solidification of the fabricated material, and the second irradiation device is configured to simultaneously generate a directional optical beam corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of the three-dimensional object being additively fabricated, the directional optical beam having a second wavelength and a second polarization different from the first polarization, the second wavelength also in particular corresponding to a specific wavelength of the fabricated material and enabling the solidification of the fabricated material. Exemplary configurations of each device are disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0006] A drawback of polarizers used in known devices is that the total exposure angle, which typically represents the maximum deviation from the incident angle of electromagnetic energy at which the polarizer operates as desired, is relatively small. A relatively small total exposure angle results in a relatively small build area (in the x and y directions) for each device, making expansion difficult. This is especially true when changes to the spatial arrangement of the device and associated structural design are undesirable, for example, when the distance between the polarizer and the build surface and container device should not be changed. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] International Publication WO2021 / 166005A1 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by solidifying the molding material by electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, and in particular photocuring a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength. This makes it possible to improve the expandability of the molding area (dimensions in the x and y directions) without having to change the spatial arrangement of the apparatus and related structural design, for example, by changing the distances between the polarizing device, the molding surface and the container device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This objective is achieved by an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by solidifying a molding material by electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, particularly by photocuring a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength, in accordance with claim 1. The essence of the dependent claims relates to possible embodiments of claim 1.

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by solidifying a molding material by electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, and in particular by photocuring a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength by electromagnetic irradiation having a specific wavelength. This apparatus is implemented as a selective laser sintering (SLS) apparatus. The SLS apparatus is configured to sequentially irradiate powdered material, such as powdered polymer material, with electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, such as a directional light beam, particularly in layers. As a result, each region of the material melts and then solidifies upon cooling, forming the cross-section of the three-dimensional object to be fabricated. This method can be repeated to additively fabricate three-dimensional objects.

[0011] Alternatively, the apparatus can be implemented as a photocuring apparatus, which is configured to selectively irradiate a photocurable liquid molding material, such as a photocurable resin, specifically a photocurable polyamide resin, with one or more irradiation images and one or more directional light beams of a specific wavelength, particularly in a layered manner. As a result, each region of the molding material hardens and solidifies, forming a cross-section of the three-dimensional object to be fabricated. This method can be repeated to additively fabricate three-dimensional objects.

[0012] The latter embodiment of the apparatus is a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, and the following description of the functional and structural configuration of the apparatus is particularly relevant to this embodiment, but the same description also applies to embodiments in which the apparatus is embodied as an SLS apparatus.

[0013] Therefore, it is preferable that the apparatus is a device that photocures a photocurable molding material, i.e., a photocurable resin, to additively fabricate a three-dimensional object. Therefore, it is preferable that the apparatus is configured to photocure a photocurable molding material, i.e., a photocurable resin, to additively fabricate a three-dimensional object. Curing of the photocurable resin generally involves sequentially and selectively irradiating each layer with electromagnetic waves (light) having a specific wavelength and polarization that enables photocuring of the photocurable resin, sequentially generating corresponding cured resin layers in the cross-section of the three-dimensional object to be additively fabricated, thereby additively fabricating the three-dimensional object.

[0014] The apparatus comprises a container apparatus. The container apparatus may be a tank apparatus or may comprise a tank apparatus. The container apparatus defines a container volume (receiving volume) for receiving the molding material. The container apparatus typically comprises one or more container apparatus elements. One or more container apparatus elements may form one or more walls of the container apparatus, arranged and / or oriented to define a container volume for receiving the molding material. The container apparatus may be supported by a base plate of the apparatus. In particular, the container apparatus may be supported by receiving portions of each base plate of the apparatus. Each receiving portion may be constructed, for example, by an opening or groove, or may comprise an opening or groove.

[0015] The bottom of the container apparatus or the bottom of the container volume of the container apparatus may each be composed of or comprise at least one membrane. The membrane may at least partially form the build area and build surface of the apparatus. The membrane may be attached to or may be attached to one or more elements of the container apparatus. The membrane is typically transparent to electromagnetic irradiation (light) emitted from the irradiation device of the apparatus, which will be described in detail later. Therefore, the membrane is transparent to electromagnetic irradiation emitted from the irradiation device of the apparatus. The membrane is transparent to the optical properties of the electromagnetic irradiation emitted from the irradiation device of the apparatus, such as wavelength and polarization.

[0016] The membrane typically has a planar bottom shape. Because the membrane is typically elastic and / or flexible, it can exhibit reversible bending and / or deformation behavior when forces such as pressure are applied during the operation of the apparatus. Each force can arise directly or indirectly from the relative movement of the apparatus's build platform relative to the membrane. Therefore, the membrane can reversibly bend and / or deform relative to the zero state when each force is applied. Thus, the membrane can be composed of an elastic and / or flexible material, or an elastic and / or flexible material structure, that enables each reversible bending and / or deformation behavior. For example, each elastic and / or flexible material may be a polymer material, and each elastic and / or flexible material structure may be a polymer material structure.

[0017] As is clear from the above, the apparatus may include a build platform apparatus. The build platform apparatus may include a build platform. The build platform may form a build surface capable of additively building three-dimensional objects. The build surface typically comprises planar regions facing either the container apparatus or the container volume of the container apparatus. As will be described later, the build platform is typically supported in a manner that allows it to move with respect to the container apparatus with at least one degree of freedom of movement.

[0018] The apparatus further includes a support device that movably supports the build platform apparatus relative to the container apparatus with at least one degree of freedom of motion. Thus, the build platform apparatus is movably supported relative to the container apparatus, particularly the membrane, with at least one degree of freedom of motion. The at least one degree of freedom of motion is typically a degree of freedom of translational motion along a translation axis. The translation axis is typically positioned and directed perpendicularly to the base plane of the bottom of the container apparatus, or to the base plane of the bottom of the container volume of the container apparatus. Thus, the translation axis can be a vertical axis. The support device may include one or more actuators or drive devices (e.g., one or more electric motors) configured to effectively move the build platform apparatus relative to the container apparatus along the translation axis. One or more actuators or drive devices may, in particular, be configured to effectively perform reciprocating motion of the build platform apparatus along the translation axis. Thus, the build platform apparatus can move in two directions along the translation axis, for example, upward and downward. The build platform apparatus may be positioned above the membrane (bottom-up configuration) or below the membrane (top-down configuration).

[0019] The apparatus comprises at least one first irradiation device, which is configured to generate one or more optical images corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object to be additively manufactured by the additive manufacturing apparatus. The one or more optical images generated by the at least one first irradiation device have a first wavelength and a first polarization. The first polarization is typically generated by at least one polarizer assigned to the at least one first irradiation device. Therefore, the at least one first irradiation device does not have a light source configured to generate light (image) with a specific polarization, but rather a light source that emits light with multiple polarizations. The polarizer is configured to filter and / or split the light emitted from the light source of the at least one irradiation device, which includes multiple polarizations, so that only light of a specific polarization (first polarization) is generated, and the specific polarization is reflected or transmitted through the polarizer toward the container device. The light source of the at least one first irradiation device emits light of multiple polarizations, and only a specific polarization among them is incident on the manufacturing material, so the loss is relatively high. The first wavelength corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength of the manufacturing material that can solidify or harden. The first wavelength may include a wavelength range containing the material at a specific wavelength at which the material can solidify or harden. Therefore, the first wavelength is selected based on the solidification or hardening behavior of the material being processed by the apparatus. The first wavelength is, for example, in the range of 375 nm to 425 nm, particularly in the range of 385 nm to 415 nm, and more specifically in the range of 395 nm to 405 nm. The first polarization is linearly polarized. The first polarization is typically directed at a first angle, where the first angle is 0° with respect to a reference axis or reference plane, respectively. An electromagnetic irradiation with the first polarization may, for example, have an electric field vector oscillating in the vertical direction.

[0020] At least one first irradiation device includes or affects one or more of the following operating parameters, the operating parameters or parameters being the velocity of one or more optical images, the energy of one or more optical images, the focal size of one or more optical images, the focal position of one or more optical images, etc.

[0021] At least one first irradiation device may comprise one or more optical function units assigned thereto. Each optical function unit is or comprises at least one of a first optical unit and a second optical unit, the first optical unit comprising, for example, one or more lenses and configured to adjust the output of a light source and optically couple the adjusted light to a chipset, each chipset configured to generate an optical image, and the second optical unit comprising, for example, one or more lenses and configured to adjust the output of the chipset. In particular, the first optical unit, the chipset, and the second optical unit may be located upstream of the light source. The first irradiation device comprising one or more optical function units may be structurally and / or functionally combined to form a first irradiation device block.

[0022] At least one first irradiation device may be considered or represented as a photo-image generating device in general terms. In exemplary embodiments, at least one first irradiation device may be configured as, for example, at least one of a digital photoprocessing device, a liquid crystal projector device, and a pico projector device. In particular, each digital photoprocessing device (DLP device) may include the aforementioned chipsets.

[0023] The device further comprises at least one second irradiation device configured to simultaneously generate one or more directional light beams corresponding to at least a part of the cross-section of the three-dimensional object to be laminated and shaped by the device. The one or more directional light beams generated by the at least one second irradiation device have a second wavelength and a second polarization. The second polarization is typically generated by at least one second irradiation device including a light source configured to generate a directional light beam having a specific polarization. Further, the second wavelength particularly corresponds to a specific wavelength at which the shaping material is solidified or cured. Thus, the second wavelength has a wavelength range including the specific wavelength at which the shaping material is solidified or cured. Therefore, the second wavelength is selected taking into account the solidification behavior of the shaping material processed by the device. The second wavelength is the same as the first wavelength, substantially the same as the first wavelength, or a value slightly different from the first wavelength by 10% or less, particularly 5% or less. Thus, the second wavelength is also, for example, in the range from 375 nm to 425 nm, particularly in the range from 385 nm to 415 nm, more specifically in the range from 395 nm to 405 nm. The second polarization is linearly polarized. However, the second polarization is different from the first polarization in that it is oriented at a second angle different from the first angle. The second angle is 90° with respect to the reference axis or the reference plane respectively. The electromagnetic irradiation having the second polarization has, for example, an electric field vector vibrating in the horizontal direction when the electric field vector of the first polarization vibrates in the vertical direction, or vice versa.

[0024] The at least one second irradiation device comprises one or more of the operating parameters such as the speed of the one or more directional light beams, the energy of the one or more directional light beams, the focus size of the one or more directional light beams, the focus position of the one or more directional light beams, the (cross-sectional) shape of the one or more directional light beams, etc., or can affect one or more of those parameters.

[0025] At least one second irradiation device may comprise one or more optical function units assigned thereto. Each optical function unit may be at least one of or may comprise a light beam source, a beam expansion unit, and a beam deflection unit (e.g., a scanner unit). In particular, the beam expansion unit is arranged upstream of the beam deflection unit, and the beam deflection unit may be arranged upstream of the light beam source. At least one second irradiation device including one or more optical function units may be structurally and / or functionally combined to form a second irradiation device block.

[0026] At least one second irradiation device may be configured to comprise, for example, a laser device.

[0027] At least one first irradiation device and at least one second irradiation device may be operated simultaneously. Accordingly, one or more optical images generated by at least one first irradiation device are output or can be output in the direction of the shaping material, while one or more directional light beams generated by at least one second irradiation device are simultaneously output in the direction of the shaping material. In particular, one or more optical images generated by at least one first irradiation device output in the direction of the shaping material may be used to solidify, for example, the core part inside each cross-section of each layer of the three-dimensional object to be shaped. In particular, one or more directional light beams generated by at least one second irradiation device and simultaneously output in the direction of the shaping material may be used to solidify, for example, the surface part outside each cross-section of each layer of the three-dimensional object to be shaped. In particular, one or more optical images generated by at least one first irradiation device and output in the direction of the shaping material and one or more directional light beams generated by at least one second irradiation device and simultaneously output in the direction of the shaping material at least partially overlap, for example, in an overlapping region extending between the inside and the outside of each layer of the three-dimensional object to be shaped.

[0028] At least one first illumination device and at least one second illumination device may form part of a coaxial illumination unit located above the device. The coaxial illumination unit may also include at least one polarization device. Thus, the coaxial illumination unit may be configured to simultaneously output one or more optical images having each first wavelength and each first polarization, and one or more directional light beams having each second wavelength and each second polarization, in the direction of the container device and the material being fabricated inside it. The first and second wavelengths are typically (substantially) identical, but the first and second polarizations are typically different in their angular directions. More specifically, the orientations of the first and second polarizations may differ by an angle of 90°. The coaxial illumination unit can be considered a hybrid illumination system configured to simultaneously output one or more optical images and one or more directional light beams at (substantially) constant wavelengths but with variable power and speed.

[0029] The coaxial irradiation unit can be positioned below the container device (bottom-up configuration). However, the reverse configuration, where the coaxial irradiation unit is positioned above the container device (top-down configuration), is also conceivable.

[0030] A control device, embodied in hardware and / or software, may be assigned to at least one first irradiation device and at least one second irradiation device. The control device may be configured to control the operation of at least one first irradiation device and at least one second irradiation device, and to selectively solidify the fabrication material by simultaneously generating and outputting each optical image and directional light beam. Specifically, the control device may be configured to control the operation of at least one first irradiation device and at least one second irradiation device, assuming that the same energy density is applied to each cross-sectional area of ​​the three-dimensional object being fabricated. More specifically, assuming that the irradiation devices apply the same energy density to each cross-section of the three-dimensional object being fabricated, the control device may be configured to predictively control the operating parameters of at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device, such as velocity, energy, focus, focal position, shape, etc.

[0031] The apparatus also comprises at least one first irradiation device, at least one second irradiation device, and at least one polarizing device assigned to each coaxial irradiation unit. The at least one polarizing device is configured as or may comprise at least one passive polarizing filter. The passive polarizing filter may be configured to reflect first-polarized light and transmit second-polarized light, for example, second-polarized light oriented at an angle of 90° to the first polarization, or vice versa. The at least one polarizing device schematically has optical properties realized, for example, through certain external and / or internal structures, such that only electromagnetic irradiation of a specific polarization, in particular electromagnetic irradiation having linear polarization in a specific angular direction, is permissible, while electromagnetic irradiation of a different polarization, in particular electromagnetic irradiation having linear polarization in a different angular direction, is reflected. Thus, the at least one polarizing device may be configured to reflect one or more optical images generated by at least one first irradiation device toward the container device, while one or more directional light beams generated by at least one second irradiation device are configured to pass through the polarizing device toward the container device, or vice versa. Therefore, the different angular polarization of one or more optical images and one or more directional light beams makes it possible for one or more optical images to pass through at least one polarizer and be directed toward the material to be fabricated (transmission mode of at least one first irradiation device), while one or more directional light beams are reflected toward the material to be fabricated by at least one polarizer (reflection mode of at least one second irradiation device), or for one or more directional light beams to pass through at least one polarizer and travel toward the material to be fabricated (transmission mode of at least one second irradiation device), while one or more optical images are reflected toward the material to be fabricated by at least one polarizer (reflection mode of at least one first irradiation device). In particular, at least one polarizer does not change the first and second wavelengths. Therefore, at least one polarizer enables coaxial simultaneous irradiation of the material to be fabricated by electromagnetic irradiation from at least one first irradiation device and at least one second irradiation device.

[0032] At least one polarizer is positioned and configured to transmit one or more optical images toward the container device and simultaneously reflect one or more directional light beams toward the container device, or vice versa, so that at least one polarizer also functions as an optical coupling device, in either case optically coupling one or more optical images and one or more directional light beams to form a resulting illumination including both one or more optical images and one or more directional light beams, which then incident on the fabrication area to selectively solidify the fabrication material within the container device.

[0033] At least one polarization device is typically separated from at least one first irradiation device and at least one second irradiation device, and may be located within the optical output region of at least one first irradiation device and at least one second irradiation device.

[0034] To compensate for the above-mentioned shortcomings of typical polarizers used in conventional devices, at least one polarizer in this device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 8° (at least ±4° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). In particular, at least one polarizer has a total light-receiving angle of at least 9° (at least ±4.5° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizer has a total light-receiving angle of at least 10° (at least ±5° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). Even more specifically, at least one polarizer has a total light-receiving angle of at least 11° (at least ±5.5° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). Even more specifically, at least one polarizer has a total light-receiving angle of at least 12° (at least ±6° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). Even more specifically, at least one polarizer has a total light-receiving angle of at least 13° (at least ±6.5° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 14° (at least ±7° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 15° (at least ±7.5° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 16° (at least ±8° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 17° (at least ±8.5° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 18° (at least ±9° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 19° (at least ±8.5° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 20° (at least ±10° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 21° (at least ±10.5° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 22° (at least ±11° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface).More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 23° (at least ±11.5° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 24° (at least ±12° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 25° (at least ±12.5° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 26° (at least ±13° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 27° (at least ±13.5° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 28° (at least ±14° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). More specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 29° (at least ±14.5° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). Even more specifically, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 30° (at least ±15° with respect to the axis perpendicular to the build surface). In a further embodiment, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle greater than 30°.

[0035] Therefore, at least one polarization device of the apparatus has a relatively large total light-receiving angle, which allows the build area (in the x and y directions) to be expanded by changing, for example, the distance between at least one polarization device and the build surface and / or changing the direction and / or position of at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device relative to the container device, without changing the spatial arrangement of the apparatus and the associated structural design. In other words, it is possible to obtain an expanded build area compared to conventional devices without having to change the optical distance (e.g., irradiation distance) between at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device and the container device.

[0036] In this way, an improved device is provided.

[0037] At least one polarizer may be positioned or installed directly above or below the container device. Therefore, the functional and structural configuration of the device is simplified because at least one polarizer is positioned directly opposite the container device, and there is no need to position or install other optical devices between the at least one polarizer and the container device. In particular, there is no need to position a conditioning, magnification, and / or focusing optical group between at least one polarizer and the three-dimensionally fabricated object built up inside it to apply conditioning, complex magnification, and / or focusing of one or more optical images and one or more directional light beams that are typically polarized coupled with each other. Since at least one polarizer has a total receiving angle of at least 8°, such a conditioning, magnification, and / or focusing optical group can be omitted.

[0038] At least one polarizing device may comprise a first and second surface facing opposite directions. The first and second surfaces facing opposite directions may be provided on opposite surfaces of the substrate of at least one polarizing device. In particular, at least one polarizing device comprises a first surface facing a container device, the first surface having optical reflection properties for one or more optical images generated by at least one first radiating device, and a second surface facing opposite directions to the first surface, the second surface having optical transmission properties for one or more directional light beams generated by at least one second radiating device. In this configuration, at least one first irradiating device is typically arranged in reflection mode, and at least one second irradiating device is typically arranged in transmission mode. In the reverse configuration, at least one polarizing device comprises a first surface facing a container device, the first surface having optical reflection properties for one or more directional light beams generated by at least one second radiating device, and a second surface facing opposite directions to the first surface, the second surface having optical transmission properties for one or more optical images generated by at least one first radiating device. In this configuration, at least one first irradiation device is typically arranged in transmission mode, and at least one second irradiation device is typically arranged in reflection mode.

[0039] At least one polarizing device may be configured as a linear polarizer. In particular, at least one polarizing device may be configured as a passive linear polarizing filter. Thus, at least one polarizing device may be configured to produce a light beam in which the electric vector vibrates (substantially) in only one direction when placed in an incident unpolarized light beam. Thus, at least one polarizing device may be able to avoid undesirable interactions, particularly between one or more optical images and one or more directional light beams, and ensure that only polarized light is incident on the fabrication material. Schematically, any linear polarizer with each total receiving angle of at least 8° may be used. Thus, at least one polarizing device may be configured or comprised of an absorbing polarizer that absorbs electromagnetic irradiation in "undesirable" polarization states when the total receiving angle is at least 8°, or a beam-splitting polarizer that splits electromagnetic irradiation into two beams having opposite polarization states when the total receiving angle is at least 8°.

[0040] A specific exemplary embodiment of at least one polarizing device is a wire grid polarizer. A wire grid polarizer may comprise a substrate or base having at least one set of wire-like metal elements on its surface, having at least one grid arrangement. Each metal element may be arranged on a plane extending at an angle of about 45° with respect to the fabrication area. Each metal element may be arranged in a grid arrangement that forms at least one wire grid layer. Each wire grid polarizer may comprise a plurality of wire grid layers, for example, arranged in a stacked configuration. Each wire grid polarizer may further comprise one or more dielectric grid layers, for example, arranged on one or more wire grid layers. Electromagnetic waves incident on a wire grid polarizer having an electric field aligned parallel to the metal elements induce the movement of electrons along the longitudinal direction of the metal elements. Since electrons can move freely in this direction, the wire grid polarizer behaves similarly to a metal surface that reflects light. When electromagnetic waves are incident on a wire grid polarizer with an electric field oriented perpendicular to the metal elements, electrons cannot move significantly in the width direction of each metal element. Therefore, less energy is reflected, and the incident electromagnetic waves can be transmitted. Thus, the wire grid polarizer is configured to polarize transmitted electromagnetic waves into a linearly polarized state with an electric field perfectly perpendicular to the metal elements. In other words, generally speaking, in the first polarization state (e.g., p-polarization), the wire grid polarizer transmits light that is locally orthogonal or transverse to the metal elements, and in the second polarization state (e.g., s-polarization), it reflects light that is parallel to the metal elements. A specific advantage of the wire grid polarizer is that it has a (significantly) higher angle of reception than a standard polarizer.

[0041] In addition to or instead of a wire grid polarizer, a cube polarizer, or a combination of a wire grid polarizer and a cube polarizer, can be used. An exemplary embodiment of a cube polarizer or a combination of a wire grid polarizer and a cube polarizer may comprise a first prism including a plurality of triangular faces connected on the inner, outer, and outer surfaces; a second prism including a plurality of triangular faces connected on the inner, outer, and outer surfaces; and a polarizer positioned between the inner surfaces of the first and second prisms. The polarizer may comprise an array of parallel metallic elements. Each metallic element may be positioned between a first substrate and a second substrate. Each metallic element, the first substrate, and the second substrate may be positioned between the inner surfaces of the first and second prisms. Each metallic element may be positioned in a plane extending at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the build area.

[0042] As described above, the apparatus may be configured such that at least one first irradiator is positioned relative to at least one polarizer such that one or more optical images generated by at least one first irradiator pass through at least one polarizer (transmission mode), or so that one or more optical images generated by at least one first irradiator is reflected toward the container apparatus by at least one polarizer (reflection mode). With this method, the energy loss that is typically large when at least one first irradiator is in transmission mode is essentially reduced due to the fact that at least one polarizer typically exhibits high attenuation when electromagnetic irradiation generated by at least one first irradiator passes through at least one polarizer. Experiments have shown that when at least one irradiator is positioned in transmission mode, up to 18% of the energy of the optical image produced by at least one irradiator can be lost via at least one polarizer, whereas when at least one irradiator is positioned in reflection mode, the energy loss of the optical image produced by at least one irradiator via at least one polarizer is only up to 6%.

[0043] As described above, at least one polarizing device may comprise a substrate having a first and second surface facing opposite directions. The substrate may comprise an optical element. The optical element may be configured as a polarizing filter or comprise a polarizing filter. The optical element may be formed of glass, particularly silicone glass, or other light-transmitting material. The optical element may, for example, be reflective to a first polarization of one or more optical images from at least one first irradiator but transmittable to a second polarization of one or more directional light beams from at least one second irradiator, or be reflective to a second polarization of one or more directional light beams from at least one second irradiator but reflective to a first polarization of one or more optical images from at least one first irradiator, for example, by a suitable coating, corresponding metal element, etc. The reflective properties of the optical element are provided by a suitable coating, such as a metal coating, particularly a metal nanocoating, that reflects light of a specific polarization. Each coating is typically applied to a surface of the optical element used to reflect one or more optical images or one or more directional light beams in the direction of the fabrication material. Other surfaces of the optical element may be provided with appropriate coatings (e.g., metallic coatings, especially metallic nanocoatings) that transmit light of a specific polarization. Appropriate anti-reflective coatings can prevent undesirable double illumination that degrades resolution.

[0044] Optical elements are typically flat. Therefore, optical elements may be, for example, disc-shaped or plate-shaped. In particular, the surface of an optical element configured to reflect incident electromagnetic irradiation in the direction of the fabrication material is flat. The flatness of the surface of an optical element or an optical element configured to reflect electromagnetic irradiation incident in the direction of the fabrication material typically means that no radius of curvature exceeds 5 nm. The flatness of the optical element is particularly important in ensuring the shape, position, direction, etc., of one or more optical images generated by at least one first irradiation device in reflection mode, and therefore contributes to high resolution when at least one first irradiation device is arranged in reflection mode.

[0045] As is clear from the above, at least one polarizing device can function as an optical element or mirror that selectively reflects electromagnetic irradiation from each irradiator arranged in reflection mode, i.e., from each optical image or each directional light beam, and / or as an optical element that selectively transmits electromagnetic irradiation from each irradiator arranged in transmission mode, i.e., from each optical image or each directional light beam. Therefore, by changing the direction and / or position of at least one selectively transmitting optical device and polarizing device with at least one degree of freedom of movement, it is possible to correct the direction and / or positional deviation of one or more polarized optical images generated in the fabrication area by at least one first irradiator, and / or the direction and / or positional deviation of one or more polarized directional light beams generated in the fabrication area by at least one second irradiator. Similarly, it is possible to correct calibration shift effects, for example, thermally induced, of at least one first irradiator and / or at least one second irradiator.

[0046] At least one polarizing device may be movably supported with at least one degree of freedom of motion. Each degree of freedom of motion is, for example, at least one translational degree of freedom along a horizontal axis and / or a vertical axis, or at least one rotational degree of freedom about a horizontal axis and / or a vertical axis. Each rotational degree of freedom about a rotation axis may also include rotational motion about a pivot axis. Thus, the orientation and / or position of at least one polarizing device is changeable with respect to at least one first irradiator and / or at least one second irradiator. In particular, the inclination angle of at least one polarizing device with respect to at least one first irradiator and / or at least one second irradiator is changeable by at least one degree of freedom of motion, for example, at least one rotational motion. For example, with respect to the direction and / or position of one or more optical images generated within the build area by at least one first irradiation device, and / or with respect to the direction and / or position of one or more directional light beams generated within the build area by at least one second irradiation device, the tilt angle of at least one polarizer may be changed for the purpose of correcting imaging or beam directivity deviations of at least one first irradiation device or at least one second irradiation device. Additionally or alternatively, the tilt angle of at least one polarizer may be changed for the purpose of correcting calibration deviation effects of at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device.

[0047] At least one polarizing device may be mounted on a support frame structure. The support frame structure may be connected to a higher mechanical frame of the device. The support frame structure may include one or more interfaces that allow the orientation and / or position of at least one polarizing device with respect to at least one first irradiator and / or at least one second irradiator to be changed manually or at least semi-automatically. Each interface allows engagement with a manual transmission element (e.g., a device) or at least one transmission element (e.g., a drive rod) to change the orientation and / or position of at least one polarizing device in the manner described above. Specifically, each transmission element may also transition at least one polarizing device and / or the support frame structure from a locked state where the orientation and / or position is fixed and unchangeable to an unlocked state where the orientation and / or position is not fixed but changeable.

[0048] Accordingly, one or more actuator devices are assigned to and directly coupled to one or more polarizing devices, or indirectly coupled, for example, via at least one corresponding transmission element, and one or more polarizing devices are configured to generate one or more forces that operate the at least one polarizing device with at least one degree of freedom of motion in order to change its direction and / or position relative to at least one first irradiator and / or at least one second irradiator. Each actuator device is configured as or may include an electric drive device, such as a translational drive device or a rotational drive device. Each actuator device can be directly or indirectly coupled to at least one polarizing device and apply forces to at least one first irradiator and / or at least one second irradiator that result in the desired linear and / or rotational motion of the at least one polarizing device. The operation of one or more actuator devices can be controlled by control units embodied in hardware and / or software assigned to them.

[0049] Accordingly, the apparatus may comprise a control unit embodied in hardware and / or software assigned to one or more actuator devices. The control unit may be configured to control the operation of at least one polarization device with at least one degree of freedom of operation based on at least one control criterion. Each control criterion may refer to a specific imaging quality or beam directing quality of at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device. Accordingly, the control unit may be configured to compensate for imaging misalignment or beam directing misalignment of at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit may be configured to compensate for calibration misalignment effects of at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device.

[0050] The apparatus may further include at least one detection device embodied in hardware and / or software, configured to detect imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment of at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device, and / or calibration misalignment effects of at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device. The at least one detection device may be configured to determine, in general terms, whether or not each control criterion is met. Accordingly, the at least one detection device may be configured to generate information indicating, in general terms, that each control criterion is met. In particular, the at least one detection device may be configured to generate information indicating at least one detected imaging misalignment of at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device, and / or at least one detected calibration misalignment effect of at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device.

[0051] At least one detection device may comprise one or more detection elements that operate to detect imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment of at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device, and / or calibration misalignment effects of at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device. Each detection element may comprise an imaging sensor or an optical sensor. Each detection element has a detection area directed and / or positioned relative to at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device, and is capable of detecting each imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment and / or calibration misalignment effect. Additionally or alternatively, each detection element may have a detection area oriented in the direction of the build area, and is capable of detecting each imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment and / or calibration misalignment effect. As an example, each detection element may have a detection area that at least partially coincides with the build area.

[0052] A specific exemplary embodiment of at least one detection device is, for example, at least one camera or comprising a camera.

[0053] The control unit may be configured to control the operation of at least one polarizer with at least one degree of freedom of motion based on information provided by at least one detection device. This allows each detected imaging misalignment or beam-direction misalignment and / or each detected calibration misalignment effect to be used as an input quantity to control changes in the direction and / or position of at least one polarizer. In this way, an effective control loop can be implemented to reduce each imaging misalignment or beam-direction misalignment and / or each calibration misalignment effect. Each control loop may be implemented before, during, or after an additive manufacturing process, particularly one performed by an additive manufacturing apparatus. Thus, online process control can also be realized if, for example, each misalignment and / or calibration misalignment effect of at least one first irradiation device and / or at least one second irradiation device is detected via at least one detection device during the additive manufacturing process.

[0054] The apparatus may be equipped with multiple first irradiators, particularly in a parallel arrangement. Providing multiple first irradiators in the apparatus, particularly in a parallel arrangement, can also contribute to increasing the build area. In particular, the increase in the build area can be achieved without changing the irradiation distance and without reducing the energy density supplied to the build area, and therefore without reducing the build speed. The expansion of the build area by providing multiple first irradiators is based on the wide total light-receiving angle of at least one polarizer, as described above, since the total light-receiving angle of at least one polarizer allows for the reflection or transmission of the light image generated by the multiple first irradiators.

[0055] Accordingly, in a configuration comprising multiple first irradiators, the multiple first irradiators can be arranged with respect to at least one polarizing device such that one or more optical images generated by each of the multiple first irradiators are reflected by at least one polarizing device in the direction of the fabrication area and the fabrication material. In one exemplary embodiment, the multiple first irradiators can be arranged in this reflective mode.

[0056] In one exemplary embodiment having a plurality of first irradiators, one or more optical images generated by the first (first) irradiator of the plurality of first irradiators can be reflected in the direction of a first region of the build area by at least one polarizer. The first region may include or comprise the entire build area, or include or comprise only a portion of the build area; in the latter case, the first region is a first partial region of the build area. In particular, each first partial region is generated by irradiating a optical image onto a first partial region of the reflective surface of at least one polarizer, and the optical image is reflected in the direction of the build material so as to include the first partial region of the build area.

[0057] Simultaneously, one or more optical images generated by the second (first) optical devices of a plurality of first optical devices may be reflected by at least one polarizing device in the direction of a second optical region of the build area. The second optical region may include or comprise the entire build area, or include or comprise only a portion of the build area; in the latter case, the second optical region is a second partial optical region of the build area. In particular, each second partial optical region is generated by irradiating an optical image onto a second partial optical region of the reflective surface of at least one polarizing device, and the optical image is reflected in the direction of the build material so as to include the second partial optical region of the build area.

[0058] Each of the first and second sub-regions of the build area may be sized and / or shaped to encompass the entire build area. Therefore, the first and second sub-regions may have the same size and / or shape. However, the first and second sub-regions may have different sizes and / or shapes.

[0059] The first and second subregions can overlap at least partially in at least one layer of the three-dimensional object being fabricated. This means that the fabrication area comprises at least one superimposed area that can be irradiated by an optical image or a portion thereof from different first irradiators. However, the first and second subregions may not overlap in at least one layer of the three-dimensional object being fabricated. This means that the fabrication area consists of two separate subregions that can be directly adjacent to each other without gaps, or can be spatially separated from each other by a certain gap. In the latter case, electromagnetic irradiation from a further irradiator (e.g., a first irradiator that generates an optical image or a second irradiator that generates a directional light beam) can be used to irradiate and solidify the fabrication material in the gap, thereby connecting the two separate subregions to each other at one or more connection points or connection areas.

[0060] Similarly, the same considerations apply to embodiments comprising two or more first irradiation devices. Thus, two or more subregions can be provided that may or may not overlap as described above. As a result, the fabrication region may comprise each overlapping region or at least two separate subregions that are directly adjacent to each other without gaps, or that are spatially separated from each other via at least one specific gap space. In the latter case, electromagnetic irradiation from a further irradiation device (e.g., a first irradiation device that generates an optical image or a second irradiation device that generates a directional light beam) can be used to irradiate and solidify the fabrication material in the gap space, thereby connecting the two separate subregions to each other at one or more connection points or connection regions.

[0061] Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus may be equipped with multiple second irradiation devices, particularly in a parallel arrangement. Providing multiple second irradiation devices in the apparatus, particularly in a parallel arrangement, can also contribute to expanding each build area. In particular, the expansion of the build area can be achieved without changing the irradiation distance, without reducing the energy density supplied to the build area, and therefore without reducing the build speed. Since the total light-receiving angle of at least one polarizer can reflect or transmit the directional light beam generated by multiple second irradiation devices, the expansion of the build area by providing multiple second irradiation devices is, as described above, based on the wide total light-receiving angle of at least one polarizer.

[0062] Accordingly, in a configuration comprising multiple second irradiation devices, the multiple second irradiation devices may be arranged with respect to at least one polarizer such that one or more directional light beams generated by each second irradiation device are transmitted by at least one polarizer and each passes through at least one polarizer to proceed in the direction of the fabrication area and the fabrication material. In one exemplary embodiment, the multiple second irradiation devices may be arranged in this transmission mode.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment having two second irradiation devices, one or more directional light beams generated by the first (second) irradiation device among a plurality of second irradiation devices can be transmitted in the direction of a first region of the build area by at least one polarizer. The first region includes or comprises the entire build area, or includes or comprises only a portion of the build area; in the latter case, the first region is a first sub-region of the build area. Each first sub-region is generated in particular by irradiating a first sub-region of the transmission surface of at least one polarizer with a directional light beam, in which case the directional light beam is transmitted in the direction of the build material so as to act in the first sub-region of the build area.

[0064] Simultaneously, one or more directional light beams generated by the second (second) irradiator among a plurality of second irradiators can be transmitted in the direction of a second region of the build area by at least one polarizer. The second region may include or comprise the entire build area, or include or comprise only a portion of the build area; in the latter case, the second region is a second sub-region of the build area. Each second sub-region can be generated in particular by irradiating the second sub-region of the transmission surface of at least one polarizer with one or more directional light beams, in which case one or more directional light beams are transmitted in the direction of the build material so as to act in the second sub-region of the build area.

[0065] Each of the first and second sub-regions of the build area may be sized and / or shaped to encompass the entire build area. Thus, the first and second sub-regions may have the same size and / or shape. However, the first and second sub-regions may have different sizes and / or shapes. The first and second sub-regions may overlap at least partially in at least one layer of the three-dimensional object being built. This means that the build area may have at least one overlapping region to which directional light beams from different second illumination devices can be irradiated. However, the first and second sub-regions may not overlap in at least one layer of the three-dimensional object being built. This means that the build area may not have each overlapping region and may have two separate sub-regions that are directly adjacent to each other without gaps, or that are spatially separated from each other with a certain gap. In the latter case, the material being fabricated in the gap can be irradiated and solidified by electromagnetic irradiation from a further irradiation device, such as a first irradiation device that generates a light image or a second irradiation device that generates a directional light beam, so that the two separate sub-regions can be connected to each other at one or more connection points or connection regions.

[0066] The same considerations apply to embodiments comprising two or more second irradiation devices. Accordingly, two or more overlapping or non-overlapping subregions can be provided as described above. As a result, the fabrication region can comprise superimposed regions or at least two separate subregions that are directly adjacent to each other and do not require gaps, or that are spatially separated from each other by at least one specific gap. In the latter case, the fabrication material in the gaps can be irradiated and solidified by electromagnetic irradiation from a further irradiation device, such as a first irradiation device that generates an optical image or a second irradiation device that generates a directional light beam. As a result, at least two separate subregions can be connected to each other by one or more connection points or connection regions.

[0067] In embodiments comprising multiple second irradiation devices, the directional energy beams generated by each second irradiation device may be identical or different. In the latter case, the directional light beams generated by the multiple second irradiation devices may include at least one set of beam parameters, such as different beam spot sizes (focals), different focal positions, different beam intensities, and different beam phases / coherences. However, the second wavelength of the directional light beams of all second irradiation devices typically includes a wavelength corresponding to a specific wavelength of the material being fabricated, enabling the solidification of the material.

[0068] In an embodiment comprising a plurality of first irradiation devices and a plurality of second irradiation devices, both at least one first irradiation device and at least one second irradiation device may be arranged in reflection mode, and at least one further first irradiation device and at least one further second irradiation device may be arranged in transmission mode.

[0069] In any embodiment, the apparatus may have a machine frame comprising one or more machine frame elements. The machine frame is configured to support one or more functional and / or structural units of the apparatus. Each functional and / or structural unit may, in particular, comprise at least one first irradiation device and at least one second irradiation device. The machine frame may be divided into a plurality of compartments, with the container apparatus located in the first compartment and at least one first irradiation device and at least one second irradiation device located in the second compartment. The machine frame may comprise at least one access element that is movablely supported between an open state allowing access to three-dimensional objects manufactured by the apparatus and a closed state not allowing access to three-dimensional objects manufactured by the apparatus.

[0070] The above description relating to the additive manufacturing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention also applies schematically to the following exemplary configurations of additive manufacturing apparatuses according to the second and third aspects of the present invention.

[0071] In a second aspect of the present invention, an additive manufacturing apparatus is provided for additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object by photocuring a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength, and the additive manufacturing apparatus is - A container device that defines the receiving volume for receiving a molding material that can be solidified at a specific wavelength, particularly a resin that can be photocured at a specific wavelength, - A first irradiation device comprising at least one or more first irradiation devices configured to generate one or more optical images corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object manufactured by an additive manufacturing device, wherein one or more optical images have a first wavelength and a first polarization, and the first wavelength corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength of the manufacturing material, - At least one or more other first irradiation devices configured to simultaneously generate one or more optical images corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object manufactured by an additive manufacturing device, wherein one or more optical images have a second polarization different from a second wavelength and a first polarization, and the second wavelength corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength of the additive material, - The system comprises at least one first irradiator and at least one polarizer assigned to at least one other first irradiator, wherein the at least one polarizer is configured to reflect one of one or more optical images generated by the at least one first irradiator toward the container device, while one or more optical images generated by the at least one other first irradiator can pass through the polarizer toward the container device or vice versa, and the at least one polarizer has a total light-receiving angle of at least 8°.

[0072] Accordingly, the apparatus according to the second embodiment comprises only an illumination device configured to generate one or more polarized light images having a first wavelength which may be the same as the second wavelength, and first and second polarizations which are different from the first polarization. Accordingly, the apparatus may have multiple image generation configurations that do not include any illumination devices configured to generate a directional light beam. In particular, at least one first illumination device can be arranged in transmission mode, and at least one other first illumination device can be arranged in reflection mode.

[0073] In a third aspect of the present invention, an additive manufacturing apparatus is provided for additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object by photocuring a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength, and the additive manufacturing apparatus is - A container device that defines the receiving volume for receiving a molding material that can be solidified by electromagnetic irradiation at a specific wavelength, particularly a resin that can be photocured at a specific wavelength, - A second irradiation device configured to generate one or more directional light beams corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object manufactured by an additive manufacturing device, wherein the one or more directional light beams have a first wavelength and a first polarization, and the first wavelength corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength of the material being manufactured. - At least one other second irradiation device configured to simultaneously generate one or more directional light beams corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object manufactured by an additive manufacturing device, wherein one or more directional light beams have a second polarization different from a second wavelength and a first polarization, and the second wavelength corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength of the material being manufactured, and the other second irradiation device - comprising at least one second irradiation device and at least one polarizing device assigned to at least one other irradiation device, wherein the at least one polarizing device is configured to reflect one of one or more directional light beams generated by the at least one second irradiation device toward the container device, while one or more directional light beams generated by the at least one other second irradiation device can pass through the polarizing device toward the container device or vice versa, and the at least one polarizing device has a total receiving angle of at least 8°.

[0074] Accordingly, the apparatus according to the third embodiment, in its basic configuration, comprises only an irradiation device configured to generate one or more directional light beams having a first wavelength which may be the same as the second wavelength, and having first and second polarizations different from the first polarization. Accordingly, the apparatus may have a multi-laser configuration without an irradiation device configured to generate an optical image. In particular, at least one second irradiation device may be arranged in transmission mode, and at least one other second irradiation device may be arranged in reflection mode.

[0075] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a method for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by solidifying a molding material by photocuring a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength, particularly by electromagnetic irradiation at a specific wavelength. This method can be carried out using an apparatus according to the first, second, or third aspect of the present invention. All descriptions relating to the apparatus of the first, second, or third aspect of the present invention also apply to the method of the fourth aspect of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0076] When implemented by an apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention, the method particularly includes a step of generating one or more optical images corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object to be additively fabricated by the apparatus via at least one first irradiation device, wherein one or more optical images have a first wavelength and a first polarization, the first wavelength in particular corresponding to a specific wavelength of the fabrication material, and simultaneously, a step of generating one or more directional light beams corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object to be additively fabricated by the apparatus via at least one second irradiation device, wherein one or more directional light beams have a second wavelength and a second polarization different from the first polarization, the second wavelength in particular corresponding to a specific wavelength of the fabrication material, and the one or more optical images and one or more directional light beams are optically coupled via at least one polarizing device assigned to the at least one first irradiation device and the at least one second irradiation device, wherein the at least one polarizing device is configured to reflect one of the one or more optical images generated by the at least one first irradiation device toward the container device, while the directional light beam generated by the at least one second irradiation device can pass through the polarizing device toward the container device, or vice versa. In particular, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 8°.

[0077] When implemented by an apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, the method particularly includes the step of generating one or more optical images corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object to be additively fabricated by the apparatus via at least one first irradiation device, wherein one or more optical images have a first wavelength and a first polarization, the first wavelength in particular corresponding to a specific wavelength of the fabrication material, and simultaneously, the method includes the step of generating one or more optical images corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object to be additively fabricated by the apparatus via at least one other first irradiation device, wherein one or more optical images have a second wavelength and a second polarization different from the first polarization, the second wavelength in particular corresponding to a specific wavelength of the fabrication material, and the one or more optical images are optically coupled via at least one polarizing device assigned to each of the at least one first irradiation device and at least one other first irradiation device, wherein the at least one polarizing device is configured to reflect one or more optical images generated by the at least one first irradiation device toward the container device, while one or more optical images generated by the at least one other first irradiation device can pass through the polarizing device toward the container device, or vice versa. In particular, at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 8°.

[0078] When implemented by an apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, the method particularly includes a step of generating one or more directional light beams corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object to be additively fabricated by the apparatus via at least one second irradiation device, wherein the one or more directional light beams have a first wavelength and a first polarization, the first wavelength in particular corresponding to a specific wavelength of the fabrication material, and simultaneously includes a step of generating one or more directional light beams corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object to be additively fabricated by the apparatus via at least one other second irradiation device, wherein the one or more directional light beams have a second wavelength The directional light beams have a second polarization different from the first polarization, the second wavelength of which corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength of the material being fabricated, and one or more directional light beams are optically coupled via at least one polarizer assigned to at least one second irradiator and at least one other second irradiator, the at least one polarizer being configured to reflect one or more directional light beams generated by at least one second irradiator toward the container device, while one or more directional light beams generated by at least one other second irradiator can pass through the polarizer toward the container device, or vice versa. In particular, the at least one polarizer has a total receiving angle of at least 8°.

[0079] Furthermore, the description of the following exemplary embodiments will be readily understood by referring to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0080] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing an additive manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram showing an additive manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram showing an additive manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram showing an additive manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram showing an additive manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram showing an additive manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0081] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an additive manufacturing apparatus 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The apparatus 1 is generally configured to additively manufacture a three-dimensional object (not shown) by solidifying a molding material 2 by photocuring a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength using electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength.

[0082] In the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 6, the apparatus 1 irradiates a photocurable liquid molding material 2, such as a photocurable polyamide resin, with electromagnetic waves of a specific wavelength, such as one or more irradiation images 3 and one or more directional light beams 4, to solidify the corresponding areas of the molding material 2 by curing, thereby forming a cross-section of the three-dimensional object to be fabricated. This process can be repeated to additively fabricate three-dimensional objects.

[0083] However, apparatus 1 can be conceptually implemented as a selective laser sintering (SLS) apparatus.

[0084] Apparatus 1 comprises a container apparatus 5 which may be a tank apparatus or includes a tank apparatus. The container apparatus 5 defines a container volume 5.1 (receiving volume) for receiving the molding material 2. The container apparatus 5 typically comprises one or more container apparatus elements which may form one or more walls of the container apparatus 5 and are arranged and / or oriented to define a container volume 5.1 for receiving the molding material 2. The container apparatus 5 may be supported by a base plate 6 of apparatus 1. In particular, the container apparatus 5 may be supported by a receiving portion 6.1 of the base plate 6 of apparatus 1. The receiving portion 6.1 may be composed of, for example, an opening or a recess.

[0085] The bottom of the container device 5 or the bottom of the container volume 5.1 of the container device 5 is composed of or includes a membrane 5.2. The membrane 5.2 forms the build area 7 and the build surface of the device 1, respectively. The membrane 5.2 is particularly detachably attachable to or attached to one or more container device elements of the container device 5. The membrane 5.2 is typically transparent to electromagnetic irradiation (light) emitted from the irradiation devices 8 and 9 of the device 1, as will be described later. Therefore, the membrane 5.2 is at least transparent to electromagnetic irradiation emitted from the irradiation devices 8 and 9 of the device 1. Therefore, the membrane 5.2 is at least transparent to the optical properties of the electromagnetic irradiation emitted from the irradiation devices 8 and 9 of the device 1, such as wavelength and polarization.

[0086] The membrane 5.2 has a planar bottom shape. The membrane 5.2 is typically elastic and / or flexible and may exhibit reversible bending and / or deformation behavior when a force such as pressure is applied during the operation of the apparatus 1. Each force can be generated directly or indirectly by the movement of the build platform 10.1 of the build platform apparatus 10 of the apparatus 1 relative to the membrane 5.2. Therefore, when each force is applied, the membrane 5.2 reversibly bends and / or deforms relative to the zero state. Thus, the membrane 5.2 may be composed of an elastic and / or flexible material or an elastic and / or flexible material structure that enables each reversible bending and / or deformation behavior. Each elastic and / or flexible material is, for example, a polymer material, and each elastic and / or flexible material structure is a polymer material structure.

[0087] As is clear from the above, the apparatus 1 further comprises a build platform apparatus 10. The build platform apparatus 10 comprises a build platform 10.1 that forms a build surface 10.2 capable of additively building three-dimensional objects. The build surface 10.2 typically comprises planar areas that each face the container apparatus 5 or the container volume 5.1 of the container apparatus 5. Furthermore, as will be described later, the build platform 10.1 is typically movably supported relative to the container apparatus 5 with at least one degree of freedom of movement.

[0088] Apparatus 1 further includes a support device (not explicitly shown) that movably supports the build platform device 10 relative to the container device 5 with at least one degree of freedom of motion. Thus, the build platform device 10 is movably supported relative to the container device 5, particularly the membrane 5.2, with at least one degree of freedom of motion. The at least one degree of freedom of motion is typically a degree of freedom of translational motion along a translation axis (shown by a double arrow in Figure 1). The translation axis is typically positioned and directed perpendicular to the bottom surface of the container device 5 or the bottom surface of the container volume 5.1 of the container device 5. Thus, the translation axis can be a vertical axis. The support device may include one or more actuators or drive devices (not shown), such as one or more electric motors, configured to move the build platform device 10 relative to the container device 5 along the translation axis. One or more actuators or drive devices may be configured to reciprocate the build platform device 10 in particular along the translation axis. Thus, the build platform device 10 can move along the translation axis in two directions, for example, vertically. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the molding platform device 10 is positioned on the film 5.2. Thus, the device 1 has a bottom-up configuration. However, a configuration in which the molding platform device 10 is positioned below the film 5.2 is also conceivable. Thus, the device 1 may also have a top-down configuration.

[0089] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 1 includes a first illumination device 8 configured to generate one or more optical images 3 corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object to be additively fabricated using the apparatus 1. The one or more optical images 3 generated by the first illumination device 8 have a first wavelength and a first polarization. The first polarization is generated by at least one polarizing device 13 assigned to the first illumination device 8. Thus, the first illumination device 8 includes a light source 8.2 that emits light with multiple polarizations, rather than a light source 8.2 configured to generate light (image) with a specific polarization. The polarizing device 13 filters and / or splits the light emitted from the light source 8.2 containing multiple polarizations, so that only light with a specific polarization is generated, and this light with a specific polarization is reflected or transmitted through the polarizing device 13 toward the container apparatus 5. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the polarizing device 13 filters and / or splits the light emitted from the light source 8.2 so that only light with a first polarization is transmitted toward the container apparatus 5. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2, the polarizing device 13 filters and / or splits the light emitted from the light source 8.2 so that only the light of the first polarization is reflected towards the container device 5. The light source 8.2 emits light of multiple polarizations, and only a specific polarization is incident on the molding material 2, so the light source 8.2 has relatively high losses. Details of the polarizing device 13 will be described later. In particular, the first wavelength corresponds to a specific wavelength on which the molding material 2 can solidify or harden. The first wavelength may include a wavelength range that includes a specific wavelength on which the molding material 2 can solidify or harden. Therefore, the first wavelength is selected based on the solidification or hardening behavior of the molding material 2 processed by the device 1. The first wavelength may be, for example, in the range of 375 nm to 425 nm, particularly in the range of 385 nm to 415 nm, more specifically in the range of 395 nm to 405 nm. The first polarization is linearly polarized. The first polarization is typically oriented at a first angle. The first angle is an angle of 0° with respect to a reference axis (e.g., axis A) or reference plane. An electromagnetic irradiation having a first polarization may, for example, have an electric field vector that oscillates in the vertical direction.

[0090] The first irradiation device 8 includes, or can influence, one or more operating parameters such as the velocity of one or more optical images 3, the energy of one or more optical images 3, the focal size of one or more optical images 3, and the focal position of one or more optical images 3.

[0091] As is clear from Figure 1, the first illumination device 8 may comprise one or more optical functional units assigned thereto. Each optical functional unit may comprise at least one of the following: a light source 8.2, a first optical unit 8.3, a first optical unit 8.3 including one or more lenses configured to adjust the output of the light source 8.2 and optically couple the adjusted light to a chipset 8.4, each chipset 8.4 configured to generate an optical image 3, and a second optical unit 8.1 including one or more lenses configured to adjust the output of the chipset 8.4. In particular, the first optical unit 8.3, the chipset 8.4, and the second optical unit 8.1 may be located upstream of the light source 8.2. The first illumination device 8, comprising one or more optical functional units, may be structurally and / or functionally combined to form a first illumination device block (indicated by the frame surrounding the optical functional units).

[0092] The first irradiation device 8 may be considered or represented as a photo-image generating device in general terms. In this exemplary embodiment, the first irradiation device 8 is configured as a digital photoprocessing device (DLP device) or comprises a DLP device. However, the first irradiation device 8 may be configured as, for example, at least one of a liquid crystal projector device and a pico projector device or comprises at least one of the two.

[0093] Apparatus 1 further comprises a second irradiation device 9 configured to simultaneously generate one or more directional light beams 4 corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of the three-dimensional object to be additively fabricated by Apparatus 1. The directional light beams 4 generated by the second irradiation device 9 have a second wavelength and a second polarization. The second polarization is generated by the second irradiation device 9, which typically includes a light source 9.1 configured to generate directional light beams with a specific polarization. The second wavelength also corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength at which the fabrication material 2 solidifies or hardens. Thus, the second wavelength includes a wavelength range that includes the specific wavelength at which the fabrication material 2 solidifies or hardens. Therefore, the second wavelength is selected based on the solidification behavior of the fabrication material 2 processed by Apparatus 1. The second wavelength may be the same as, substantially the same as, the first wavelength, or slightly deviated from the first wavelength by a value of 10% or less, particularly 5% or less. Thus, the second wavelength may also be, for example, in the range of 375 nm to 425 nm, particularly in the range of 385 nm to 415 nm, more specifically in the range of 395 nm to 405 nm. The second polarization may be linearly polarized. However, the second polarization is oriented at a second angle different from the first polarization, and therefore differs from the first polarization. The second angle is 90° with respect to the reference axis (e.g., axis A) or reference plane. Electromagnetic irradiation with the second polarization may have an electric field vector that oscillates horizontally, for example, when the electric field vector of the first polarization oscillates vertically, or vice versa.

[0094] The second irradiation device 9 has one or more operating parameters, such as the velocity of one or more directional light beams 4, the energy of one or more directional light beams 4, the focal size of one or more directional light beams 4, the focal position of one or more directional light beams 4, and the (cross-sectional) shape of one or more directional light beams 4, or can influence one or more of these parameters.

[0095] As is clear from Figure 1, the second irradiation device 9 may comprise one or more optical functional units assigned to it. Each optical functional unit is one or more of a light source 9.1, a beam expansion unit 9.2, and a beam deflection unit 9.3 (e.g., a scanner unit), or may comprise one or more of these. In particular, the beam expansion unit 9.2 may be located upstream of the beam deflection unit 9.3, and the beam deflection unit 9.3 may be located upstream of the light source 9.1. The second irradiation device 9, including one or more optical functional units, may be structurally and / or functionally coupled to form a second irradiation device block (indicated by the frame surrounding the optical functional units).

[0096] In this exemplary embodiment, the second irradiation device 9 is configured as a laser device or comprises a laser device.

[0097] The first irradiation device 8 and the second irradiation device 9 can be operated simultaneously. Therefore, one or more optical images 3 generated by the first irradiation device 8 are output or can be output in the direction of the fabrication material 2, and at the same time, one or more directional light beams 4 generated by the second irradiation device 9 are output in the direction of the fabrication material 2. In particular, one or more optical images 3 generated by the first irradiation device 8 and output in the direction of the fabrication material 2 can be used to solidify the interior of each cross section of each layer of the three-dimensional object being fabricated, for example, the core. In particular, one or more directional light beams 4 generated by the second irradiation device 9 and output simultaneously in the direction of the fabrication material 2 can be used to solidify the exterior of each cross section of each layer of the three-dimensional object being fabricated, for example, the skin. In particular, one or more optical images 3 generated by the first irradiation device 8 and output in the two directions of the fabrication material, and one or more directional optical beams 4 generated by the second irradiation device 9 and output simultaneously in the two directions of the fabrication material, can overlap at least partially in an overlapping region that extends between each interior and each exterior of each layer of the three-dimensional fabrication object being fabricated.

[0098] The first irradiation device 8 and the second irradiation device 9 may form part of the upper coaxial irradiation unit 11 of the device 1. The coaxial irradiation unit 11 may also include a polarization device 13. Thus, the coaxial irradiation unit 11 may be configured to output one or more optical images 3, each having a first wavelength and a first polarization, and simultaneously output one or more directional light beams 4, each having a second wavelength and a second polarization, in the direction of the container device 5 and the molding material 2 arranged inside it. The first and second wavelengths are typically (substantially) the same, but the first and second polarizations are typically different in their angular direction. More specifically, the first and second polarizations may differ in their direction by an angle of 90°. The coaxial irradiation unit 11 is considered or shown as a hybrid illumination system that outputs one or more directional light beams 4 along with one or more optical images 3 at (substantially) constant wavelengths, but is configured to have variable power and velocity.

[0099] The exemplary embodiment in Figure 1 shows that the coaxial irradiation unit 11 can be positioned below the container device 5 (bottom-up configuration). However, the reverse configuration (top-down configuration) in which the coaxial irradiation unit 11 is positioned above the container device 5 is also conceivable.

[0100] A control device 12, implemented in hardware and / or software, can be assigned to the first irradiation device 8 and the second irradiation device 9. The control device 12 may be configured to control the operation of the first irradiation device 8 and the second irradiation device 9, and to simultaneously generate and output each optical image 3 and directional light beam 4 to solidify the fabrication material 2. Specifically, the controller 12 may be configured to control the operation of the first irradiation device 8 and the second irradiation device 9, assuming that the same energy density is applied to each cross-sectional area of ​​the three-dimensional object being fabricated. More specifically, the control device 12 may be configured to predictively control the operation parameters of the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9, such as velocity, energy, focus, focal position, and shape, assuming that the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9 apply the same energy density to each cross-section of the three-dimensional object being fabricated.

[0101] Apparatus 1 also comprises a first irradiation device 8, a second irradiation device 9, and polarizing devices 13 assigned to the coaxial irradiation unit 11. The polarizing device 13 is a passive polarizing filter configured to reflect light of first polarization and transmit light of second polarization (e.g., second polarization directed at an angle of 90° to the first polarization, or vice versa). The polarizing device 13 has optical properties realized schematically, for example, by a specific external and / or internal structure, that allow only electromagnetic irradiation with a specific polarization state, in particular linear polarization in a specific angular direction, to pass through, while reflecting electromagnetic irradiation with a different polarization state, in particular linear polarization in a different angular direction. Thus, the polarizing device 13 is configured to reflect one or more directional light beams 4 generated by the second irradiation device 9 toward the container device 5, while one or more optical images 3 generated by the first irradiation device 8 can pass through the polarizing device 13 toward the container device 5, or vice versa. Therefore, due to the different angular polarization of one or more optical images 3 and one or more directional light beams 4, one or more optical images 3 can pass through the polarizing device 13 in the direction of the material to be molded 2 (transmission mode of the first irradiation device 8), while one or more directional light beams 4 are reflected in the direction of the material to be molded 2 by the polarizing device 13, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1 (reflection mode of the second irradiation device 9), or one or more directional light beams 4 can pass through the polarizing device 13 in the direction of the material to be molded 2 (transmission mode of the second irradiation device 9), while one or more optical images 3 are reflected in the direction of the material to be molded 2 by the polarizing device 13, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2 (reflection mode of the first irradiation device 8). In particular, the polarizing device 13 does not change the first and second wavelengths. Therefore, in either case, the polarizing device 13 enables coaxial simultaneous irradiation of the material to be molded 2 by electromagnetic irradiation from the first irradiation device 8 and the second irradiation device 9.

[0102] The polarizing device 13 is arranged and configured to transmit one or more optical images 3 in the direction of the container device 5 and simultaneously reflect one or more directional light beams 4 in the direction of the container device 5, or vice versa, so that one or more optical images 3 and one or more directional light beams 4 are optically coupled, and a resulting irradiation R is formed that includes both one or more optical images 3 and one or more directional light beams 4, and the radiation R is incident on the fabrication area and solidifies the fabrication material 2. In either case, the polarizing device 13 can also function as an optical coupling device.

[0103] To compensate for the above-mentioned shortcomings of polarization devices typically used in conventional devices, the polarization device 13 has a total light-receiving angle α of at least 8° (at least ±4° with respect to an axis perpendicular to the build surface, e.g., axis A). In particular, the polarization device 13 may have a total light-receiving angle α of at least 10° (at least ±5° with respect to an axis perpendicular to the build surface, e.g., axis A). More specifically, the polarization device 13 may have a total light-receiving angle α of at least 15° (at least ±7.5° with respect to an axis perpendicular to the build surface, e.g., axis A).

[0104] Therefore, the polarization device 13 has a relatively large total light-receiving angle α, and the build area (in the x and y directions) can be expanded without changing the spatial arrangement of the device 1 and the related structural design. For example, by changing the distance between the polarization device 13 and the build surface, and / or by changing the direction and / or position of the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9 relative to the container device 5, in other words, it is possible to obtain an expanded build area compared to conventional devices without having to change the optical distance (e.g., irradiation distance) between the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9 and the container device 5.

[0105] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the polarizer 13 is positioned directly below the container device 5. Therefore, there is no need to place other optical devices between the polarizer 13 and the container device 5, simplifying the functional and structural configuration of the device. In particular, there is no need to place a set of conditioned, magnifying, and / or focusing optical systems between the polarizer 13 and the container device 5 and the three-dimensional object built inside it, which typically conforms to the conditioning, complex magnification, and / or focusing of one or more optical images 3 and one or more directional light beams 4 that are polarized and coupled to each other. Such a set of conditioned, magnifying, and / or focusing optical systems can be omitted by using a polarizer 13 having a total light-receiving angle of at least 8° (at least ±4° with respect to an axis perpendicular to the build surface, e.g., axis A).

[0106] The polarizing device 13 may comprise a first surface 13.1 and a second surface 13.2 facing opposite directions. The first surface 13.1 and the second surface 13.2 facing opposite directions may be provided on opposite sides of the substrate 13.3 of the polarizing device 13. In particular, the polarizing device 13 comprises a first surface 13.1 facing the container device 5, the first surface 13.1 having the property of optically reflecting one or more optical images 3 generated by the first radiating device 8, and the polarizing device 13 comprises a second surface 13.12 facing opposite directions to the first surface 13.1, the second surface 13.2 having the property of optically transmitting one or more directional light beams 4 generated by the second irradiating device 9. In the configuration shown in Figure 2, the first irradiating device 8 is typically arranged in reflection mode, and the second irradiating device 9 is typically arranged in transmission mode. In the reverse configuration shown in Figure 1, the polarizing device 13 comprises a first surface 13.1 facing the container device 5 and a second surface 13.2 in the opposite direction to the first surface 13.1. The first surface 13.1 has optical reflection properties with respect to one or more directional light beams 4 generated by the second irradiation device 9, and the second surface 13.2 has optical transmission properties with respect to one or more light images 3 generated by the first irradiation device 8. In this configuration, the first irradiation device 8 is arranged in transmission mode, and the second irradiation device 9 is arranged in reflection mode.

[0107] The polarizing device 13 may be configured as a linear polarizer. Therefore, when the polarizing device 13 is placed in an incident unpolarized light beam, it may be configured to produce a light beam in which the electric vector vibrates (substantially) in only one direction. Thus, the polarizing device 13 can, in particular, avoid undesirable interactions between one or more optical images 3 and one or more directional light beams 4, and ensure that only polarized light is incident on the fabrication material 2.

[0108] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the polarizing device 13 is a wire grid polarizer. The wire grid polarizer may comprise a substrate 13.3 or a base having a plurality of wire-like metal elements (not shown) in at least one grid arrangement on at least one surface. Each metal element may be arranged in a plane extending at an angle of about 45° with respect to the fabrication area. Each metal element may be arranged in a grid arrangement forming at least one wire grid layer. Each wire grid polarizer may comprise a plurality of wire grid layers arranged, for example, in a stacked arrangement. Each wire grid polarizer may further comprise one or more dielectric grid layers arranged, for example, on one or more wire grid layers. In other words, the wire grid polarizer substantially transmits light having a first polarization state (e.g., p-polarization), for example, light locally oriented orthogonal or transverse to the metal elements, and reflects light having a second polarization state (e.g., s-polarization), for example, light oriented parallel to the metal elements.

[0109] In addition to or instead of a wire grid polarizer, a cube polarizer, or a combination of a wire grid polarizer and a cube polarizer, may be used. An exemplary embodiment of a cube polarizer or a combination of a wire grid polarizer and a cube polarizer may comprise a first prism including a plurality of triangular faces connected on the inner, outer, and outer surfaces; a second prism including a plurality of triangular faces connected on the inner, outer, and outer surfaces; and a polarizer positioned between the inner surfaces of the first and second prisms. The polarizer may comprise an array of parallel metallic elements. Each metallic element may be positioned between a first substrate and a second substrate. Each metallic element, the first substrate, and the second substrate may be positioned between the inner surfaces of the first and second prisms. Each metallic element may be positioned in a plane extending at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the build area.

[0110] As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 1 may have a configuration in which the first irradiator 8 is positioned relative to the polarizer 13 such that one or more optical images 3 generated by the first irradiator 8 pass through the polarizer 13 and proceed in the direction of the container apparatus 5 (transmission mode), or as shown in Figure 2, the apparatus 1 may have a configuration in which the first irradiator 8 is positioned relative to the polarizer 13 such that one or more optical images 3 generated by the first irradiator 8 are reflected by the polarizer 13 and proceed in the direction of the container apparatus 5 (reflection mode). Due to the fact that electromagnetic irradiation generated by the first irradiator 8 typically experiences high attenuation by the polarizer 13 when passing through the polarizer 13, the energy loss that is typically high when the first irradiator 8 is in transmission mode is essentially reduced in the above method. In other words, the configuration of the apparatus 1 shown in Figure 2 has less loss than the configuration of the apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0111] As described above, the polarizing device 13 may include a substrate 13.3 having a first surface 13.1 and a second surface 13.2 in opposite directions. The substrate 13.3 may include optical elements that can be formed from glass, particularly silicon glass, or other light-transmitting materials. The optical elements may be configured, for example, by appropriate coatings, metal elements, etc., to be reflective to the first polarization of one or more optical images 3 of the first irradiation device 8, while being transmittance to the second polarization of the directional light beam 4 of the second irradiation device 9, or to be reflective to the second polarization of the directional light beam 3 of the second irradiation device 9, while being reflective to the first polarization of the optical image 3 of the first irradiation device 8. The reflective properties of the optical elements may be provided by appropriate reflective coatings, such as metal coatings, particularly metal nanocoatings. Each reflective coating is typically applied to the surface of an optical element used to reflect one or more optical images 3 or one or more directional light beams 4 in the direction of the fabrication material 2. On each other surface of the optical element, an appropriate anti-reflective coating, such as a metallic coating, particularly a metallic nanocoating, may be provided. Each anti-reflective coating can ensure the avoidance of undesirable double illumination that could degrade resolution.

[0112] The substrate 13.3 and the optical elements are typically flat. Therefore, the optical elements are, for example, disc-shaped or plate-shaped. In particular, the surface of an optical element configured to reflect incident electromagnetic irradiation in two directions of the fabricated material is flat. The flatness of the surface of an optical element or an optical element configured to reflect incident electromagnetic irradiation in two directions of the fabricated material typically means that the radius of curvature does not exceed 5 nm. The flatness of the optical elements is particularly important for ensuring the shape, position, direction, etc., of one or more optical images 3 generated by the first irradiation device 8 in reflection mode, and therefore contributes to high resolution when the first irradiation device 8 is positioned in reflection mode.

[0113] As is clear from the above, the polarizing device 13 can function as an optical element or mirror that selectively reflects electromagnetic irradiation from each irradiation device 8, 9 arranged in reflection mode, i.e., each light image 3 or each directional light beam 4, and / or as an optical element that selectively transmits electromagnetic irradiation from each irradiation device 8, 9 arranged in transmission mode, i.e., each light image 3 or each directional light beam 4. Therefore, by changing the direction and / or position of the polarizing device 13 with at least one degree of freedom of movement, it is possible to correct the directional and / or positional deviation of one or more light images 3 generated by the first irradiation device 8, and / or correct the one or more directional light images 4 generated by the second irradiation device 9 within the fabrication area. Similarly, it is possible to correct, for example, the calibration deviation effect of the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9 that is thermally induced.

[0114] As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 3, the polarizing device 13 can be movably supported with at least one degree of freedom of motion. Each degree of freedom of motion is at least one of the following: a translational degree of freedom along a translational axis, e.g., a horizontal axis and / or a vertical axis, or a rotational degree of freedom around a rotational axis, e.g., a horizontal axis and / or a vertical axis. Each rotational degree of freedom around a rotational axis may also include rotational motion around a pivot axis illustrated by the double arrow in Figure 3. This allows the direction and / or position of the polarizing device 13 to be changed with respect to the first radiator 8 and / or the second radiator 9. In particular, the tilt angle of the polarizing device 13 can be changed with respect to the first irradiator 8 and / or the second irradiator 9 with respect to at least one degree of freedom of motion. The tilt angle of the polarizing device 13 may be changed for the purpose of correcting image shift or beam direction shift of the first irradiating device 8 or the second irradiating device 9, for example, with respect to the direction and / or position of one or more optical images 3 generated in the fabrication area by the first irradiating device 8, and / or the direction and / or position of one or more directional optical beams 4 generated in the fabrication area by the second irradiating device 9. Additionally or alternatively, the tilt angle of the polarizing device 13 may be changed for the purpose of correcting the calibration shift effect of the first irradiating device 8 and / or the second irradiating device 9.

[0115] Figure 3 further shows that the polarizing device 13 can be mounted on the support frame structure 14. As shown in Figure 1, the support frame structure 14 can be connected to the upper machine frame 15 of the device 1. The support frame structure 14 may include one or more interfaces 14.1 that allow the direction and / or position of the polarizing device 13 relative to the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9 to be changed manually or at least semi-automatically. Each interface 14.1 can engage with a manual transmission element, such as a device, or at least one transmission element 16, such as a drive rod, thereby changing the direction and / or position of the polarizing device 13 in the manner described above. Specifically, each transmission element 16 can also transition the polarizing device 13 and / or the support frame structure 14 from a locked state, where its direction and / or position is fixed and unchangeable, to an unlocked state, where its direction and / or position is not fixed and can be changed.

[0116] Accordingly, one or more actuator devices 17 are assigned, directly connected, or indirectly connected, for example, via at least one corresponding transmission element 16, and the actuator devices 17 are configured to generate one or more forces to move the polarization device 13 with at least one degree of freedom of motion, changing its direction and / or position relative to the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9. Each actuator device 16 is configured as or may be equipped with an electric drive, such as a translational drive or a rotational drive. Accordingly, each actuator device 16 is directly or indirectly connected to the polarization device 13 to apply forces and generate the desired translational and / or rotational motion of the polarization device 13 relative to the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9. The operation of one or more actuator devices 17 can be controlled by control units 18 embodied in hardware and / or software assigned to them.

[0117] Accordingly, the apparatus 1 may include a control unit 18 embodied in hardware and / or software assigned to one or more actuator devices 17. The control unit 18 may be configured to control the operation of the polarization device 13 by at least one degree of freedom of motion based on at least one control criterion. Each control criterion may refer to a specific imaging quality of the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9. Accordingly, the control unit 18 may be configured to correct imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment of the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 18 may be configured to compensate for calibration misalignment effects of the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9.

[0118] Apparatus 1 may further include a hardware and / or software-embodied detection device 19 configured to detect imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment of the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9, and / or the calibration misalignment effect of the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9. The detection device 19 may be configured to determine whether or not each control criterion is substantially met. Accordingly, the detection device 19 may be configured to generate information indicating that each control criterion is substantially met. In particular, the detection device 19 may be configured to generate information indicating the detected imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment of the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9, and / or the detected calibration misalignment effect of the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9.

[0119] The detection device 19 may comprise one or more detection elements 19.1 capable of detecting imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment of the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9, and / or calibration misalignment effects of the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9. Each detection element 19.1 may comprise an imaging sensor or an optical sensor. Each detection element 19.1 may have a detection region directed and / or positioned to detect each imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment and / or calibration misalignment effect with respect to the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9. Additionally or alternatively, each detection element 19.1 may have a detection region directed towards the build area to detect each imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment and / or calibration misalignment effect. As an example, each detection element 19.1 may have a detection region that at least partially coincides with the build area.

[0120] A specific exemplary embodiment of at least one detection device 19 is, for example, at least one camera or comprises such camera.

[0121] The control unit 18 may be configured to control the operation of the polarization device 13 with respect to at least one degree of freedom of motion, based on the information provided by the detection device 19. This allows each detected imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment and / or each detected calibration misalignment effect to be used as an input quantity to control the change in direction and / or position of the polarization device 13. In this manner, an effective control loop can be implemented to reduce each imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment and / or each calibration misalignment effect. Each control loop may be implemented before, during, or after the additive manufacturing process carried out in the device 1. Therefore, online process control may also be implemented during the additive manufacturing process, for example, if misalignments and / or calibration misalignment effects of the first irradiation device 8 and / or the second irradiation device 9 are detected via the detection device 19.

[0122] The exemplary configuration of apparatus 1 shown in Figure 3, which has a first irradiation device for reflection mode and a second irradiation device 9 for transmission mode 8, is merely an example and not limiting.

[0123] As is evident from the exemplary embodiments in Figures 4-6, the apparatus 1 may include a plurality of first irradiation devices 8, particularly arranged in parallel (see Figures 4 and 5 in particular). Providing the apparatus 1 with a plurality of first irradiation devices 8, particularly in parallel, can also contribute to expanding the build area. In particular, the expansion of the build area can be achieved without changing the irradiation distance and without reducing the energy density supplied to the build area, and therefore without reducing the build speed. In particular, the entire light-receiving angle of the polarizing device 13 can reflect or transmit the light image 3 generated by the plurality of first irradiation devices 8, and therefore the expansion of the build area by providing a plurality of first irradiation devices 8 is based on the wide entire light-receiving angle of the polarizing device 13, as described above.

[0124] Therefore, in a configuration having multiple first irradiators 8, the multiple first irradiators 8 can be arranged with respect to the polarizer 13 such that one or more optical images 3 generated by each of the multiple first irradiators 8 are reflected by the polarizer 13 in the direction of the fabrication area and the fabrication material 2. In one exemplary embodiment, the multiple first irradiators 8 can be arranged in a reflective mode as shown in Figure 4.

[0125] In an exemplary embodiment having two first irradiators 8 as shown in Figure 4, one or more optical images 3 generated by the first (first) irradiator 8 of the plurality of first irradiators 8 can be reflected by the polarizer 13 in the direction of a first region B1 of the build area. The first region B1 can include the entire build area or only a part of the build area; in the latter case illustrated in Figure 4, the first region B1 is a first partial region of the build area. In particular, the optical image 3 can be irradiated onto a first partial region of the reflective surface of the polarizer 13, and each first partial region can be generated by reflecting the optical image 3 in the direction of the build material 2 so as to include the first partial region of the build area.

[0126] Simultaneously, one or more optical images 3 generated by the second (first) optical imager 8 among the multiple first optical imagers 8 can be reflected by the polarizing device 13 in the direction of the second region B2 of the fabrication area. The second region B2 may include or encompass the entire fabrication area, or include or encompass only a part of the fabrication area. In the latter case illustrated in Figure 4, the second region B2 is a second partial region of the fabrication area. In particular, the second partial region is generated by irradiating the optical image 3 onto the second partial region of the reflective surface of the polarizing device 13, and the optical image 3 is reflected in the direction of the fabrication material 2, encompassing the second partial region of the fabrication area.

[0127] Each of the first and second sub-regions B1 and B2 of the build area may be sized and / or shaped to encompass the entire build area. Therefore, the first and second sub-regions B1 and B2 may have the same size and / or shape. However, it is also possible that the first and second sub-regions B1 and B2 have different sizes and / or shapes.

[0128] The first and second subregions B1 and B2 can overlap at least partially in at least one layer of the three-dimensional object being fabricated. This means that the fabrication region can have at least one overlapping region that can be illuminated by or by part of the optical image 3 from different first irradiation devices 8. However, the first and second subregions B1 and B2 do not have to overlap in at least one layer of the three-dimensional object being fabricated (as illustrated in Figure 4). This means that the fabrication region does not have each overlapping region but is composed of two separate subregions that can be directly adjacent to each other without gaps or spatially separated from each other with a certain gap. In the latter case, the fabrication material 2 in the gap can be irradiated and solidified by electromagnetic irradiation from an additional irradiation device such as a second irradiation device 9 that generates a directional optical beam 4. This allows the two separate subregions to be connected to each other at one or more connection points or connection regions.

[0129] The same considerations apply to embodiments having two or more first irradiation devices 8. Therefore, as described above, two or more subregions can be provided that either overlap or do not overlap. As a result, the fabrication region can comprise each overlapping region or at least two separate subregions that can be directly adjacent to each other without requiring gaps, or that can be spatially separated from each other by at least one specific gap. In the latter case, the fabrication material 2 in the gaps can be irradiated and solidified by electromagnetic irradiation from an additional irradiation device, such as a second irradiation device 9 that generates a directional light beam. As a result, at least two separate subregions can be connected to each other by one or more connection points or connection regions.

[0130] Figure 4 also shows that the apparatus 1 may be equipped with multiple second irradiation devices 9, particularly in a parallel arrangement. In particular, providing multiple second irradiation devices 9 in the apparatus 1, especially in a parallel arrangement, can contribute to expanding the build area. In particular, the build area can be expanded without changing the irradiation distance, without reducing the energy density supplied to the build area, and therefore without reducing the build speed. In particular, the total light receiving angle of the polarizing device 13 allows for reflection or transmission of the directional light beam 4 generated by multiple second irradiation devices 9, and therefore the expansion of the build area by providing multiple second irradiation devices is based on the wide total light receiving angle of the polarizing device 13, as described above.

[0131] Therefore, in a configuration having multiple second irradiation devices 9, the multiple second irradiation devices 9 can be arranged relative to the polarizing device 13 such that one or more directional light beams 4 generated by each of the multiple second irradiation devices 9 are transmitted by the polarizing device 13 and proceed to the fabrication area and the fabrication material 2, respectively. In one exemplary embodiment, the multiple second irradiation devices 9 can be arranged in a pass-through mode, as shown in Figure 4.

[0132] One or more directional light beams 4 generated by the first (second) irradiator 9 among the multiple second irradiators 9 can be transmitted by the polarizer 13 in the direction of the first region B1 of the build area. The first region B1 can encompass the entire build area or only a part of it; in the latter case, the first region B1 is the first partial region of the build area. In particular, each first partial region can be generated by irradiating the first partial region of the transmission surface of the polarizer 13 with the directional light beam 4, thereby transmitting the directional light beam 4 in the direction of the build material 2 and acting in the first partial region of the build area.

[0133] Simultaneously, one or more directional light beams 4 generated by the second (second) irradiator 9 among the multiple second irradiators 9 can be transmitted by the polarizer 13 in the direction of the second region B2 of the build area. The second region B2 may completely include or comprise the build area, or include or comprise only a part of the build area; in the latter case, the second region B2 is a second partial region of the build area. In particular, each second partial region can be generated by irradiating one or more directional light beams 4 onto the second partial region of the transmission surface of the polarizer 13, and one or more directional light beams 4 are transmitted in the direction of the build material 2 and act in the second partial region of the build area.

[0134] Each of the first and second sub-regions of the build area may be sized and / or shaped to cover the entire build area. Therefore, the first and second sub-regions may have the same size and / or shape. However, it is also possible for the first and second sub-regions to have different sizes and / or shapes. The first and second sub-regions may overlap at least partially in at least one layer of the three-dimensional object being built. This means that the build area includes at least one overlapping region that can be illuminated by directional light beams 4 from different second illumination devices 9. However, the first and second sub-regions do not have to overlap in at least one layer of the three-dimensional object being built. This means that the build area may have two separate sub-regions that do not have a corresponding overlapping region and may be directly adjacent to each other without gaps, or may be spatially separated from each other with a predetermined gap. In the latter case, the molding material 2 in the gap space can be irradiated and solidified by electromagnetic irradiation from a further irradiation device, such as a first irradiation device 8 that generates an optical image 3 or a second irradiation device 9 that generates a directional light beam 4, thereby connecting the two separate subregions to each other at one or more connection points or connection regions.

[0135] The same considerations apply to two or more embodiments of the second irradiation device 9. Therefore, two or more sub-regions can be provided that may or may not overlap as described above. As a result, the fabrication region can comprise each overlapping region or at least two separate sub-regions that can be directly adjacent to each other without gaps, or that can be spatially separated from each other by having at least one specific gap. In the latter case, the fabrication material 2 in the gaps can be irradiated and solidified by electromagnetic irradiation from a further irradiation device, such as the first irradiation device 8 that generates an optical image 3 or the second irradiation device 9 that generates a directional light beam 4, thereby connecting at least two separate sub-regions to each other at one or more connection points or connection regions.

[0136] In embodiments comprising multiple second irradiation devices 9, the directional energy beams 4 generated by each second irradiation device 9 may be identical or different. In the latter case, the multiple directional light beams 4 generated by the multiple second irradiation devices 9 may have at least one set of beam parameters, such as various beam spot sizes (focals), various focal positions, various beam intensities, various beam phases / coherences, etc. However, the second wavelengths of the multiple directional light beams 4 of all second irradiation devices 9 typically include wavelengths corresponding to specific wavelengths of the fabrication material 2, enabling the solidification of the fabrication material 2.

[0137] Figure 5 shows an embodiment opposite to that of Figure 4, namely, multiple first irradiation devices 8 are arranged in transmission mode, and multiple second irradiation devices 9 are arranged in reflection mode.

[0138] In an embodiment having a plurality of first irradiation devices 8 and a plurality of second irradiation devices 9, both at least one first irradiation device 8 and at least one second irradiation device 9 may be arranged in reflection mode, and at least one further first irradiation device 8 and at least one further second irradiation device 9 may be arranged in transmission mode (see Figure 6).

[0139] In particular, the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 6 can also be modified so that the apparatus 1 comprises only two or more first irradiation devices 8, with at least one first irradiation device 8 configured in transmission mode and at least one other first irradiation device 8 configured in reflection mode, or so that the apparatus 1 comprises only two or more second irradiation devices 9, with at least one second irradiation device 9 configured in transmission mode and at least one other second irradiation device 9 configured in reflection mode.

[0140] As described above, in any embodiment, the apparatus 1 may have a machine frame 15 comprising one or more machine frame elements, such as bars, rods, etc. The machine frame 15 is configured to support one or more functional and / or structural units of the apparatus 1. Each functional and / or structural unit may, in particular, comprise at least one first irradiation device 8 and at least one second irradiation device 9. The machine frame 15 may be divided into a plurality of compartments, with the container apparatus 5 located in the first compartment and at least one first irradiation device 8 and at least one second irradiation device 9 located in the second compartment. The machine frame 15 may include at least one access element (not shown) that is movablely supported between an open state that allows access to three-dimensional objects manufactured by the apparatus 1 and a closed state that does not allow access to three-dimensional objects manufactured by the apparatus 1. The base plate 6 may be connected directly or indirectly to the machine frame 15.

[0141] Each apparatus 1 is configured to perform a method of additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by solidifying the molding material by electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, and in particular by photocuring a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength.

[0142] The method particularly includes a step of generating one or more optical images 3 via at least one first irradiation device 8 that correspond to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object being additively fabricated in the apparatus 1, wherein one or more optical images 3 have a first wavelength and a first polarization, the first wavelength in particular corresponding to a specific wavelength of the fabrication material 2, and simultaneously includes a step of generating one or more directional light beams 4 via at least one second irradiation device 9 that correspond to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object being additively fabricated in the apparatus 1, wherein one or more directional light beams 4 have a second wavelength and a second polarization different from the first polarization. The second wavelength corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength of the fabrication material 2, and one or more optical images 3 and one or more directional light beams 4 are optically coupled via polarizers 13 assigned to at least one first irradiator 8 and at least two second irradiators 9, wherein the polarizers 13 are configured to reflect one of the one or more optical images 3 generated by at least one first irradiator 8 toward the container device 5, while one or more directional light beams 4 generated by at least one second irradiator 9 can pass through the polarizers 13 toward the container device 5, or vice versa. In particular, at least one polarizer 13 may have a total receiving angle of at least 8°.

[0143] If an apparatus 1 comprising only a first irradiation device 8 is realized, the method particularly includes a step of generating one or more optical images 3 corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object additively fabricated in the apparatus 1 via at least one first irradiation device 8, wherein one or more optical images 3 have a first wavelength and a first polarization, the first wavelength in particular corresponding to a specific wavelength of the fabrication material 2, and the method also includes a step of simultaneously generating one or more optical images 3 corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object additively fabricated in the apparatus 1 via at least one other first irradiation device 8, wherein one or more optical images 3 have the first polarization and The photon has different second wavelengths and second polarizations, the second wavelength in particular corresponding to a specific wavelength of the molding material 2, and the photon is optically coupled via at least one polarizer 13 assigned to at least one first irradiator 8 and at least one other first irradiator 8, the at least one polarizer 13 being configured to reflect one or more photon images 3 generated by at least one first irradiator 8 toward the container device 5, while the photon images 3 generated by at least one other first irradiator 8 can pass through the polarizer 13 toward the container device 5, or vice versa.

[0144] In the case of realizing an apparatus 1 comprising only a second irradiation device 9, the method particularly includes a step of generating one or more directional light beams 4 via at least one second irradiation device 9 that correspond to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object to be additively fabricated in the apparatus 1, wherein one or more directional light beams 4 have a first wavelength and a first polarization, the first wavelength in particular corresponding to a specific wavelength of the fabrication material 2, and the method also includes a step of simultaneously generating one or more directional light beams 4 via at least one other second irradiation device 9 that correspond to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object to be additively fabricated in the apparatus 1, wherein one or more directional light beams 4 have a first polarization The directional light beam 4 has a second wavelength and a second polarization different from light, the second wavelength in particular corresponding to a specific wavelength of the molding material 2, and the directional light beam 4 is optically coupled via at least one polarizer 13 assigned to at least one second irradiation device 9 and at least one other second irradiation device 9, the at least one polarizer 13 is configured to reflect one or more directional light beams 4 generated by at least one second irradiation device 9 toward the container device 5, while the directional light beam 4 generated by at least one other second irradiation device 9 can pass through the polarizer 13 toward the container device 5, or vice versa.

[0145] One or more features mentioned in relation to a particular embodiment of Apparatus 1 can be combined with one or more features of at least one other embodiment of Apparatus 1.

Claims

1. An additive manufacturing apparatus that solidifies a molding material by electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, and in particular photocures a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength, thereby additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object. - A container device that defines the receiving volume for receiving a molding material that can be solidified by electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, particularly a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength, - A first irradiation device configured to generate one or more optical images corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object manufactured by an additive manufacturing device, wherein the one or more optical images have a first wavelength and a first polarization, and the first wavelength corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength of the manufacturing material, - A second irradiation device comprising at least one, configured to simultaneously generate one or more directional light beams corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object manufactured by an additive manufacturing device, wherein one or more directional light beams have a second wavelength and a second polarization different from a first polarization, and the second wavelength corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength of the additive manufacturing material, - An additive manufacturing apparatus comprising at least one first irradiation device and at least one polarizing device assigned to at least one second irradiation device, wherein the at least one polarizing device is configured to reflect one of one or more optical images generated by the at least one first irradiation device toward the container device, while one or more directional optical beams generated by the at least one second irradiation device can pass through the polarizing device toward the container device or vice versa, and the at least one polarizing device has a total light receiving angle of at least 8°.

2. An additive manufacturing apparatus that solidifies the molding material by electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, and in particular photocures a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength, thereby additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object. - A container device that defines the receiving volume for receiving a molding material that can be solidified by electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, particularly a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength, - A first irradiation device configured to generate one or more optical images corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object manufactured by an additive manufacturing device, wherein the one or more optical images have a first wavelength and a first polarization, and the first wavelength corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength of the manufacturing material, - At least one or more other first irradiation devices configured to simultaneously generate one or more optical images corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object manufactured by an additive manufacturing device, wherein one or more optical images have a second wavelength and a second polarization different from that of a first polarization, and the second wavelength corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength of the additive material, - An additive manufacturing apparatus comprising at least one first irradiation device and at least one polarizing device assigned to at least one other first irradiation device, wherein the at least one polarizing device is configured to reflect one of one or more optical images generated by the at least one first irradiation device toward the container device, while one or more optical images generated by the at least one other first irradiation device can pass through the polarizing device toward the container device or vice versa, and the at least one polarizing device has a total light receiving angle of at least 8°.

3. An additive manufacturing apparatus that solidifies the molding material by electromagnetic irradiation at a specific wavelength, and in particular photocures a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength, thereby additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object. - A container device that defines the receiving volume for receiving a molding material that can be solidified by electromagnetic irradiation of a specific wavelength, particularly a photocurable resin that can be cured at a specific wavelength, - A second irradiation device configured to generate one or more directional light beams corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object manufactured by an additive manufacturing device, wherein the one or more directional light beams have a first wavelength and a first polarization, and the first wavelength corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength of the material being manufactured. - At least one other second irradiation device configured to simultaneously generate one or more directional light beams corresponding to at least a portion of the cross-section of a three-dimensional object manufactured by an additive manufacturing device, wherein one or more directional light beams have a second wavelength and a second polarization different from the first polarization, and the second wavelength corresponds in particular to a specific wavelength of the material being manufactured. - An additive manufacturing apparatus comprising at least one second irradiation device and at least one polarizing device assigned to at least one other irradiation device, wherein the at least one polarizing device is configured to reflect one of one or more directional light beams generated by the at least one second irradiation device toward the container device, while one or more directional light beams generated by the at least one other second irradiation device can pass through the polarizing device toward the container device or vice versa, and the at least one polarizing device has a total light receiving angle of at least 8°.

4. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one polarizing device has a total light-receiving angle of at least 9°, at least 10°, at least 15°, and at least 20°.

5. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the polarizing device is positioned directly above or directly below the container device.

6. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one polarizing device comprises a first surface facing a container device and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface having the property of optically reflecting one or more light images generated by at least one first irradiation device, and the second surface having the property of optically transmitting a directional light beam generated by at least one second irradiation device, or vice versa.

7. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one polarizing device is configured as a linear polarizer or comprises a linear polarizer.

8. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least one polarizing device is a wire grid polarizer or a cube polarizer, or comprises a wire grid polarizer or a cube polarizer.

9. An additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one first irradiator is positioned relative to at least one polarizing device such that one or more optical images generated by at least one first irradiator pass through at least one polarizing device.

10. An additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one first irradiator is positioned relative to at least one polarizing device such that one or more light images generated by at least one first irradiator are reflected toward a container device by at least one polarizing device.

11. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one polarizing device comprises a planar optical element, and the planar optical element is partially reflective to the polarization of one or more directional light beams generated by at least one first irradiation device, or to the polarization of a directional light beam generated by at least one second irradiation device.

12. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one polarizing device is movably supported with at least one degree of freedom of movement.

13. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12, comprising a control unit assigned to at least one polarization device, wherein the control unit controls the operation of at least one polarization device with at least one degree of freedom of operation to correct image shift or beam direction shift of at least one first irradiation device and / or second irradiation device, and / or compensate for calibration shift effect of at least one first irradiation device and / or second irradiation device.

14. Additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a detection device configured to detect imaging misalignment and / or beam direction misalignment of at least one first irradiation device and / or second irradiation device, and / or to detect calibration misalignment effect of at least one first irradiation device and / or second irradiation device, wherein the detection device is configured to generate information indicating the detected imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment of at least one first irradiation device and / or second irradiation device, and / or information indicating the detected calibration misalignment effect of at least one first irradiation device and / or second irradiation device.

15. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the control unit is configured to control the operation of at least one operating degree of freedom of at least one polarizer based on information indicating detected imaging misalignment or beam direction misalignment of at least one first irradiation device, and / or the calibration misalignment effect of at least one first irradiation device.

16. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, particularly comprising a plurality of first irradiation devices arranged in parallel.

17. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of first irradiators are arranged with respect to at least one polarizing device such that one or more optical images generated by the plurality of first irradiators are reflected toward the container device by at least one polarizing device.

18. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, particularly comprising a plurality of second irradiation devices arranged in parallel.

19. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of second irradiators are arranged with respect to at least one polarizing device such that one or more optical images generated by the plurality of second irradiators pass through at least one polarizing device and are directed toward a container device.

20. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the directed energy beam of the second irradiation device comprises various beam parameters, such as various beam spot sizes, various beam intensities, beam phase / coherence, etc.

21. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein at least one first irradiation device comprises at least one digital photoprocessing device, a liquid crystal projector device, and a pico projector device.

22. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein at least one second irradiation device comprises a laser device.

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