Additive Manufacturing Equipment

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an additive manufacturing system for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional workpieces. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an additive manufacturing system for serial production on an industrial scale, the additive manufacturing system including a plurality of additive manufacturing machines for parallel additive manufacturing of three-dimensional workpieces. More particularly, the additive manufacturing machines are preferably configured to apply laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) as an additive manufacturing technique for producing metal workpieces.

[0002] The additive manufacturing of three-dimensional workpieces is often referred to as 3D printing. A particular form of additive manufacturing is laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), in which layers of raw material powder are exposed to a high-energy beam of electromagnetic radiation, e.g., a laser beam or particle beam, to selectively sinter and / or melt the particles of the raw material powder. The three-dimensional workpiece is produced by sequentially sintering and / or melting each layer of raw material powder.

[0003] Compared to traditional manufacturing techniques like molding, additive manufacturing of a single three-dimensional workpiece is significantly more time-consuming. Therefore, in the early days of 3D printing, additive manufacturing was primarily applied to prototyping or small numbers of individual parts. However, because additive manufacturing offers the possibility of designing and manufacturing components unavailable to other traditional manufacturing techniques, there is a demand for its use in industrial-scale serial production. Industrial-scale serial production requires the fast and safe loading and unloading of specific inputs required by the additive manufacturing machine for the build operation. For example, before a build operation can begin, a new build chamber must be placed in its operating position below the process chamber, and after the build operation is completed, the filled build chamber must be removed. Another example is the supply of raw material powder. Depending on the type of raw material powder supply system used by the facility, raw material powder tanks must be refilled or replaced before or during a build operation to supply sufficient raw material powder to the additive manufacturing machine. Other input items, such as build chamber lids or feedstock powder funnels, need to be transported and precisely positioned for continuous additive manufacturing on an industrial scale.

[0004] All these incoming items have in common that they are usually quite heavy, for example, from 40 kg to over 6,000 kg. The fast, accurate, and safe handling of such heavy incoming items is a particular challenge for continuous additive manufacturing on an industrial scale. Typically, fork trucks or jacklifts are operated and operated manually by operating personnel. The relatively large operating area must be isolated for safety reasons. The accurate positioning of the incoming items requires specific operating skills and is time-consuming. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide an additive manufacturing facility that allows for faster and safer handling of heavy input items to be transported to and from the additive manufacturing facility's modeling machines.

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

[0007] According to the present disclosure, an additive manufacturing machine having a process chamber; A plurality of load items; a loading system for positioning an incoming item from a first loading zone to a second loading zone, the second loading zone being located above and / or below the process chamber, An additive manufacturing facility is provided, characterized in that the loading system comprises a lifting column, at least one support arm, and at least one loading article carrier, the at least one support arm being mechanically coupled to the lifting column for vertically raising and lowering along the lifting column, and the at least one loading article carrier being mechanically coupled to the at least one support arm for moving along a predetermined horizontal path relative to the lifting column, a first loading zone being located in a front region of the loading system, and a second loading zone above and / or below the process chamber being located in a rear region of the loading system.

[0008] In other words, the lifting column is positioned axially between the first and second loading zones. To better understand spatial terms within an additive manufacturing facility, such as "axial," "lateral," "above," and "below," it is useful to define a specific right-handed Cartesian coordinate system for the additive manufacturing facility, with the z-axis extending vertically, the y-axis extending horizontally laterally, and the x-axis extending horizontally axially. Thus, the lifting column extends along the z-axis, the at least one support arm extends at least partially laterally along the y-axis, and the at least one loading article carrier is axially movable along the x-axis relative to the lifting column. Thus, the yz-plane spanned by the lifting column and the at least one support arm separates a front region (positive x-axis side) of the loading system from a rear region (negative x-axis side) of the loading system. Thus, the input system can pick up input items in a front region of the input system and position the input items in a rear region of the input system. Of course, reverse transport from a second input zone in the rear region back to the first input zone in the front region is also possible. Note that the ordinal numbers "first," "second," and "third" of input zones herein indicate the order in which particular input items reach the input zones during the input process. Thus, there can be more than one second input zone, particularly if the input system is configured to input more than one input item type.

[0009] Note that the second loading zone is preferably located at a higher elevation than the first loading zone. The first loading zone may be located at ground level or on an elevated stationary platform along which a fork truck or jacklift can travel. For example, the first loading zone may be accessible via a ramp for a fork truck or jacklift to place the loading items in the first loading zone. For example, if the additive manufacturing facility includes an additive manufacturing machine with a process chamber at or just above ground level, below which the second loading zone is located, the second loading zone may be located at the same elevation as or lower than the first loading zone. Preferably, the first zone is the same for all types of loading items; that is, the first loading zone may be an entrance zone through which any type of loading item enters the loading system. Loading items may be brought to the first loading zone manually or by another automated transport system. Alternatively, the first loading zone may be a waiting zone with no further access other than by the loading system. The second loading zone may vary depending on the type of incoming item. A third loading zone may be used as a waiting zone for one or more types of incoming items.

[0010] Optionally, the lifting column may remain fixed, particularly in the horizontal xy plane. This is beneficial for positioning accuracy, since the defined position of the lifting column does not need to be accurately reproduced. Alternatively, the lifting column may be accurately positionable laterally along the horizontal y-axis, preferably on a rail. Such mobility along the lateral y-axis may be useful for the input system to serve two or more additive manufacturing machines of an additive manufacturing facility side-by-side along the lateral y-axis. Regardless of whether the lifting column is fixed or movable, a storage or shelving system may be part of the additive manufacturing facility and served by the input system. Such a storage or shelving system may have a "single depth" and a "dual depth" along the x-axis. A dual depth has the advantage that two input items can be stored or stored by the input system behind each other in the x-direction.

[0011] Optionally, the lifting column may have a vertical lift range extending from at least the first load zone to above the processor chamber. The number and location of the second load zones may depend on the various types of load items the load system is configured to load. If the load system is highly specialized to load only the build chamber, one second load zone may be sufficient. However, if the load system is more versatile, such as to load a raw material powder tank as well, a separate second load zone above the process chamber to reach is beneficial. If the raw material powder tank is located and connected to such a second load zone at a higher altitude than the process chamber, the raw material powder can fall by gravity from the raw material powder tank to a buffer tank of the process chamber to provide sufficient raw material powder during the build operation.

[0012] Optionally, the loading system can load items such as build chambers, raw powder tanks, build chamber lids, service modules, filter modules, spare parts, wear parts, cleaning mechanisms, maintenance robots, overflow containers, and / or raw powder funnels. Note that the build chamber lids can also serve as raw powder funnels when the build chambers are rotated upside down for powder removal after a build run is completed. If the loading system is versatile enough to load build chamber lids / funnels as well, it is beneficial to have an additional third loading zone located above the first loading zone in the front area. The third loading zone can be used to remove and store the lids / funnels during a build run. After a build run, the loading system can position the build chamber in the third loading zone so that it can be closed with the stored lids / funnels for further transport, cooling, and / or powder removal. The third loading zone can be used to store the closed build chamber after a build run.

[0013] Optionally, at least one of the input article carriers may be telescopically movable horizontally relative to the support arm, which is beneficial for providing accurate and repeatable automatic positioning of the input article in the axial x-direction, i.e., forward-rearward.

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

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

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

[0017] Optionally, each of the input items may have an axial extension, i.e., an extension in the x-direction, that is less than or equal to a maximum axial load item extension defined by the input system, and at least one input item carrier is movable along an axial horizontal movement path length, i.e., in the x-direction, relative to the lifting column, the axial horizontal movement path length being longer than the maximum axial load item extension. Preferably, the axial horizontal movement path length is at least two times, or more preferably at least three times, longer than the maximum axial load item extension. This is particularly useful for the input system to accommodate double-depth storage or shelving systems, such that the input system can park or store two input items behind each other in the x-direction. The maximum axial load item extension may be defined by the axial extension of the largest input item that the input system is to receive. This may be, for example, the largest raw powder tank to receive. The axial horizontal travel path length depends on the axial distance of the loading zones relative to the lifting column: the center of a first loading zone in the front region has an axial distance x1 relative to the lifting column, and the center of a second loading zone in the rear region has an axial distance x2 relative to the lifting column, and the axial horizontal travel path length is at least x1 + x2. Thus, the maximum axial loading item extension X is determined by the following metric:

[0018]

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[0019]

number

[0020] Optionally, at least one input article carrier may be fork-shaped and include two carrier legs extending axially transversely to the support arm, the carrier legs being configured to fork-lift the input article in the axial direction, which is advantageous for a stable and safe input process.

[0021] Optionally, each of the load items may have a lateral extension (lateral extension / lateral length) that is less than or equal to the maximum lateral load item extension defined by the distance between the two carrier legs. This is beneficial for fork lifting of the load items on dedicated lateral support surfaces located on the lateral sides of the load items. Therefore, no transport pallet is required for fork lifting of the load items from below.

[0022] Optionally, the additive manufacturing facility may further include a post-processing station, such as a powder removal station, a heating / cooling station, and / or a passivation station, preferably located at a higher altitude than the first load zone, preferably in a front region of the load system, the load system being configured to position the build chamber in a second load zone below the process chamber located in a rear region of the load system before a build operation, and the load system being further configured to position said build chamber in the post-processing station after a build operation for post-processing the build chamber, for example for heating, cooling, passivating, and / or de-powdering the build chamber. The post-processing station may define a third load zone.

[0023] Optionally, the loading system may be programmable to automatically pick up the incoming items from the first loading zone and to automatically position the incoming items in the second loading zone, the second loading zone being located at a higher elevation than the first loading zone.

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

[0025] Optionally, as part of the invention described above or as a separate and independent inventive aspect, the load system may be configured to raise the build chamber from a second load zone below the process chamber to an elevated operating position below the process chamber. The load system can thus be used to perform the task of an elevator of the additive manufacturing equipment to position the build chamber vertically in its operating position. Such an elevator may therefore no longer be required. Note that, as a separate and independent inventive aspect, the raising to the operating position can be performed by a load system having the first and second load zones on the same side, i.e., the load system in this case can load and unload exclusively from either the front side or the rear side, whichever side the process chamber is located on.

[0026] Further embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following figures: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an example additive manufacturing facility according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an example additive manufacturing facility according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of an example additive manufacturing facility according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4a] 3 shows a schematic side view of the additive manufacturing installation according to FIG. 2 in various loading states; [Figure 4b] 3 shows a schematic side view of the additive manufacturing installation according to FIG. 2 in various loading states; [Figure 4c] 3 shows a schematic side view of the additive manufacturing installation according to FIG. 2 in various loading states; [Figure 5a] 3 shows a schematic side view of the additive manufacturing installation according to FIG. 2 in one of further loading states; [Figure 5b] 3 shows a schematic side view of the additive manufacturing installation according to FIG. 2 in one of further loading states; [Figure 5c] 3 shows a schematic side view of the additive manufacturing installation according to FIG. 2 in one of further loading states; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] 1-3 show the most relevant units of the additive manufacturing system 1 from various perspectives for explanation in more detail in this disclosure. For better spatial orientation and understanding of spatial terms, such as "axial", "lateral", "above", and "below", each figure shows a specific right-handed Cartesian coordinate system of the additive manufacturing system 1, with the z-axis extending vertically, the y-axis extending horizontally in the lateral direction, and the x-axis extending horizontally in the axial direction.

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

[0030] For efficient operation of the additive manufacturing facility 1, it is important to minimize the setup time of the additive manufacturing machine 3 between build operations. The logistics and handling of the build chamber 7, its lid 9, and the raw powder tank 11 can contribute to a significant portion of the setup time of the additive manufacturing facility 3. The build chamber 7, its lid 9, and the raw powder tank 11 are fairly heavy input items 7, 9, 11, weighing from 40 kg to over 6,000 kg. Rapid, accurate, and safe handling of such heavy input items 7, 9, 11 is a particular challenge for continuous additive manufacturing on an industrial scale. Therefore, there is a challenge to enable faster and safer handling of the heavy input items (loads) 7, 9, 11 being loaded into and unloaded from the additive manufacturing facility 1's building machine 3.

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

[0032] The loading system 14 comprises two fixed lifting columns 21 which extend vertically, i.e., along the z-axis, at a lateral distance D from each other, i.e., along the y-axis. The loading system 14 further comprises a support arm 23 and an loading article carrier 25. The support arm 23 extends in the form of a bridge between the lifting columns 21 and is mechanically coupled to the lifting columns 21 for vertically raising and lowering along the lifting columns 21. A motor 27 is provided (here at the upper end of one of the lifting columns 21) which drives a chain or belt 29 in each lifting column 21 to raise and lower the support arm 23.

[0033] The input article carrier 25 here is fork-shaped for lifting the input articles 7, 9, 11 and includes two carrier legs extending axially, i.e., along the x-axis, transversely relative to the support arm 23. The input article carrier 25 is mechanically coupled to the support arm 23 for telescopic movement along the x-axis relative to the lifting column 21 to the front and rear along a defined horizontal path. It is important that the vertical lifting range H and the axial horizontal movement path length L of the input article carrier 25 relative to the lifting column 21 are large enough to accommodate the first input zone 15 in the front region 31 of the input system 14 and the second input zone 17 a, b in the rear region 33 of the input system 14.

[0034] The yz-plane spanned by the lifting columns 21 and the support arms 23 therefore separates a front area 31 (positive x-axis side) of the loading system 14 from a rear area 33 (negative x-axis side) of the loading system 14. The loading system 14 can therefore pick up the loading items 7, 9, 11 in the front area 31 of the loading system 14 and position the loading items 7, 9, 11 in the rear area 33 of the loading system 14. Naturally, reverse transport from the respective second loading zones 17a, b in the rear area 33 back to the first loading zone 15 in the front area 31 is also possible.

[0035] The first loading zone 15 is here located on an elevated stationary platform 35 onto which a fork truck or jacklift can easily place the loading items 7, 9, 11. The first loading zone 15 is the entrance zone for any type of loading item 7, 9, 11 to enter the loading system 14. As such, the loading build chamber 7, lid 9 or raw powder tank 11 or any other loading item is first placed by operating personnel in the first loading zone 15. Both second loading zones 17a,b in the rear region 33 of the loading system 14 are located at a higher elevation than the first loading zone 15.

[0036] Figures 2 and 3 show the build chamber 7, which is closed by a lid 9, positioned in the first loading zone 15 for being lifted by a loading article carrier 25 with a fork. Figure 3 shows that the first loading zone 15 can be reached by an optional ramp 37 which a fork truck or jacklift can use to drive on a raised platform 35. The carrier legs of the loading article carrier 25 have a lateral distance Y relative to one another so that the build chamber 7 fits between them for being lifted by a fork. The loading article carrier 25 is shown in a position far forward, i.e. in the positive x-direction, by having been telescopically moved forward relative to the lifting columns 21.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the incoming items has axial extensions X7, X9, and X 11 Each has axial extensions X7, X9, and X 11 is the maximum axial load extension X defined by the load system 14 max In the illustrated example, the raw powder tank 11 has a maximum axial extension X 11 ≦X max To enable the incoming article carrier 25 to pick up the incoming articles 7, 9, 11 in the incoming zones 15, 17a, b, 19, the incoming article carrier is movable along an axial horizontal movement path length L relative to the lifting column 21. The axial horizontal movement path length L is the maximum axial incoming article extension X max Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the axial horizontal movement path length L is longer than the maximum axial load extension X max At least three times longer than max The axial horizontal movement path length L is the axial distance x of the loading zones 15, 17a, b, 19 relative to the lifting column 21. 15 , x 17a , x 17b , x 19 The axial horizontal movement path length L is determined depending on the maximum axial distance x 15 , x 19and the maximum axial distance x between the loading zones 17a and 17b in the rear region 33. 17a , x 17b In the example shown in FIG. 2, the axial horizontal movement path length is L≧x 15 +x 17a is.

[0038] 2 and 3, the raw powder tank 11 is already placed in its second loading zone 17b above the process chamber 5. Since the raw powder tank 11 is here the heaviest type of loading item 7, 9, 11 at the highest height, the center of the second loading zone 17b for the raw powder tank 11 is at a distance x from the lifting column 21 that is smaller than the distance x1 of the first loading zone 15 from the lifting column 21. 2b This reduces the weight imbalance induced tilting moment that the loading system 14 must withstand.

[0039] 4a-4c and 5a-5c show a series of different loading states that can occur during operation of the loading system 14. FIG. 4a shows a state as in FIGS. 2 and 3, where the raw material powder tank 11 is already positioned in its second loading zone 17b above the process chamber 5. The closed build chamber 7 is just about to be picked up from the first loading zone 15 by the loading item carrier 25. In FIG. 4b, the closed build chamber 7 has been lifted into a third loading zone 19 for the build chamber 7, located above the first loading zone 15, in order to remove the lid 9 from the build chamber 7 and place it there during the building operation. In this example, the third loading zone 19 for the build chamber 7 is therefore the second loading zone for the lid 9.

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

[0041] FIG. 5a illustrates a situation in which the raw powder tank 11 must be replaced or refilled during a build operation to ensure a continuous supply of raw powder. One advantage of the loading system 14 is that the replacement or refill of the raw powder tank 11 can occur within a short window during a build operation. Therefore, the replacement or refill occurs faster than the powder buffer 13 of the additive manufacturing machine 3 can be emptied. Therefore, replacing the raw powder tank 11 does not add to the setup time of the additive manufacturing machine 3 between build operations. In FIG. 5a, a new or refilled full raw powder tank 11 is just being forklifted from the first loading zone 15 by the loading article carrier 25. In FIG. 5b, the new or refilled raw powder tank 11 is already positioned in its dedicated second loading zone 17b above the process chamber 5.

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

[0043] 1 Additive manufacturing equipment 3. Additive manufacturing machine 5. Process Chamber 7. Construction Chamber 9 Lid / funnel 11 Raw powder tank 13 Powder Buffer 14 Loading System 15 First Loading Zone 17a, b Second loading zone 19 Third Loading Zone 21 Lifting column 23 Support arm 25 Incoming Goods Carrier 27 Motor 29 Chain / Belt 31 Anterior area 33 Posterior area 35 Platform 37 Lamp D Lateral distance between lifting columns Y Lateral distance between carrier legs H Vertical lift range L Axial direction horizontal movement path length Xmax Maximum axial load extension X7 build chamber axial extension X9 lid axial extension X 11 Axial extension of raw powder tank X 15 Axial distance of the first loading zone to the lifting column X 17a Axial distance of the second lower loading zone to the lifting column X 17b Axial distance of the second upper loading zone to the lifting column X 19 Axial distance of the third loading zone to the lifting column

Claims

1. An additive manufacturing facility (1) comprising: an additive manufacturing machine (3) having a process chamber (5); a plurality of input items (7, 9, 11); and a loading system (14) for positioning the input items (7, 9, 11) from a first loading zone (15) to a second loading zone (17a, b), the second loading zone (17a, b) being located above and / or below the process chamber (5), the loading system (14) comprises a lifting column (21), at least one support arm (23), and at least one loading item carrier (25), the at least one support arm (23) being mechanically coupled to the lifting column (21) for vertically raising and lowering along the lifting column (21), and the at least one loading item carrier (25) being mechanically coupled to the at least one support arm (23) for movement along a defined horizontal path relative to the lifting column (21), the first loading zone (15) being located in a front region (31) of the loading system (14), and the second loading zones (17a, b) being located in a rear region (33) of the loading system (14).

2. The additive manufacturing installation (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lifting column (21) is fixed.

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

4. 2. The additive manufacturing installation (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one input item carrier (25) is horizontally movable in a telescopic manner relative to the support arm (23).

5. 2. The additive manufacturing installation (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one input item carrier (25) is horizontally movable relative to the support arm (23) from the front area (31) of the input system (14) to the rear area (33) of the input system (14).

6. 2. The additive manufacturing equipment (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a motor (27) for vertically raising and lowering the support arm (23) to raise and lower the at least one input article carrier (25) along the lifting column (21).

7. Each of the load items (7, 9, 11) has a maximum axial load item extension (X ｍａｘ axial extension (X ７ , X ９ , X １１ ), and the at least one input article carrier (25) is movable along an axial horizontal movement path length (L) relative to the lifting column (21), and the axial horizontal movement path length (L) is equal to or greater than the maximum axial input article extension (X ｍａｘ 2. The additive manufacturing installation (1) according to claim 1, wherein the length is longer than

8. The axial horizontal movement path length (L) is the maximum axial carry-in article extension section (X ｍａｘ 8. The additive manufacturing installation (1) according to claim 7, wherein the length is at least twice as long as the length of the first and second electrodes.

9. 2. The additive manufacturing installation (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one input item carrier (25) is fork-shaped and comprises two carrier legs extending axially transversely to the support arm (23), the carrier legs being configured to fork-lift the input item (7, 9, 11) in the axial direction.

10. 10. The additive manufacturing installation (1) according to claim 9, wherein each of the incoming items (7, 9, 11) has a lateral extension that is less than or equal to a maximum incoming item lateral extension defined by the distance (Y) between the two carrier legs.

11. 2. The additive manufacturing installation according to claim 1, wherein the input item (7, 9, 11) comprises at least one item (7, 9, 11) selected from a group of input item types comprising a build chamber (7), a raw material powder tank (11), a build chamber lid (9), and a raw material powder funnel (9).

12. 2. The additive manufacturing equipment (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a post-processing station located in the front region (31) of the loading system (14), the loading system (14) being configured to position a build chamber (7) in the second loading zone (17a) below the process chamber (5) before a build operation, and the loading system (14) being further configured to position the build chamber (7) in the post-processing station for post-processing the build chamber (7) after the build operation.

13. 2. The additive manufacturing facility (1) of claim 1, wherein the loading system (14) is programmable to automatically pick up the loading items (7, 9, 11) from the first loading zone (15) and to automatically position the loading items (7, 9, 11) in the second loading zone (17a, b), the second loading zone (17a, b) being located at a higher altitude than the first loading zone (15).

14. 2. The additive manufacturing installation (1) according to claim 1, comprising a third loading zone (19), the third loading zone (19) being located above the first loading zone (15) in the front region (31) of the loading system (14).

15. 2. The additive manufacturing installation (1) according to claim 1, wherein the load system (14) is configured to raise a build chamber (7) from the second load zone (17a) below the process chamber (5) to an elevated operating position below the process chamber (5).

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