De-powdering device, construction chamber for the additive manufacturing of components and method for de-powdering such components

Abstract

The invention relates to a de-powdering device (1) for de-powdering components produced from a powder material by means of additive manufacturing, comprising - a construction chamber receptacle (3) which is designed in such a way that a construction chamber (5) of an additive manufacturing device can be fastened to the construction chamber receptacle (3), - a glove box (7) which is arranged relative to the construction chamber receptacle (3) at least in one working position in such a way that a construction chamber (5) fastened to the construction chamber receptacle (3) can be reached by means of a glove engagement means (9) of the glove box (7), - a first displacement device (11) which is designed to displace a substrate plate (13) of the construction chamber (5) relative to a construction chamber housing (15) of the construction chamber (5) when the construction chamber (5) is fastened to the construction chamber receptacle (3), and comprising - a second displacement device (17) which is arranged and designed to displace the construction chamber receptacle (3) with the construction chamber (5) fastened thereto between a mounting position, in which the construction chamber (5) can be fastened to the construction chamber receptacle (3) and released from the construction chamber receptacle (3), and an emptying position, in which loose powder material can be emptied from the construction chamber (5).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Depowdering device, build chamber for additive manufacturing of components and method for depowdering such components

[0003] The invention relates to a depowdering device for depowdering components produced from a powder material by additive manufacturing, a construction chamber for the additive manufacturing of such components from a powder material and a method for depowdering such components.

[0004] In the additive manufacturing of components from a powder material, the components are built layer by layer, powder material layer by powder material layer, in a build chamber. A substrate plate within the build chamber is constantly shifted downwards by one layer thickness to apply the new powder material layer. At the end of the manufacturing process, the powder volume in the build chamber results from the sum of the applied powder material layers. This powder material includes loose powder in which the manufactured components are embedded. The components must be exposed in a next step, which is generally referred to as "depowdering" or "depowder removal."For this purpose, there are basically two concepts – hereinafter referred to as "depowdering concepts" – which can be used alternatively or in combination with one another: firstly, emptying the build chamber, whereby the loose powder material is essentially poured out; and secondly, particularly manual removal of the loose powder material from the components using a depowdering tool such as a depowdering lance and / or a brush. Depowdering is typically not carried out in the production device itself, but in at least one separate depowdering station. Two different, dedicated depowdering stations are regularly used when the two previously described depowdering concepts of emptying the build chamber on the one hand and removing the loose powder material using a depowdering tool on the other hand are combined.Thus, the build chamber must be inserted at least once, possibly even twice. This, as well as the depowdering process itself, presents logistical difficulties and problems with regard to the contamination of the environment with loose powder material, and especially with regard to the occupational safety of those involved, as the fine-grained powder material is typically respirable. Therefore, there is a fundamental need to optimize the depowdering process, particularly with regard to logistics and process efficiency, and especially with regard to environmental contamination and occupational safety.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a depowdering device for depowdering components produced from a powder material by additive manufacturing, a construction chamber for the additive manufacturing of such components from a powder material and a method for depowdering such components, wherein the aforementioned disadvantages are at least reduced, preferably avoided.

[0006] The object is achieved by providing the present technical teaching, in particular the teaching of the independent claims as well as the embodiments disclosed in the dependent claims and the description.

[0007] The object is achieved in particular by providing a depowdering device for depowdering components produced from a powder material by means of additive manufacturing, which device has a build chamber receptacle, wherein the build chamber receptacle is configured such that a build chamber of an additive manufacturing device can be fastened to the build chamber receptacle, wherein the depowdering device also has a glove box which is arranged at least in one working position relative to the build chamber receptacle such that a build chamber fastened to the build chamber receptacle can be reached by means of a glove opening of the glove box, wherein the depowdering device further has a first displacement device which is configured to displace a substrate plate of the build chamber relative to a build chamber housing of the build chamber when the build chamber is fastened to the build chamber receptacle,and wherein the depowdering device comprises a second displacement device arranged and configured to displace the build chamber holder with the build chamber attached thereto between an assembly position, in which the build chamber can be attached to and detached from the build chamber holder, and an emptying position, in which loose powder material can be emptied from the build chamber. Advantageously, the depowdering device makes it possible to handle the build chamber holder in a protected environment and to separate the manufactured components from loose powder material, in particular by displacing the build chamber as a whole into the emptying position by means of the second displacement device and emptying the loose powder material from the build chamber. By means of the first displacement device, it is possible to displace the substrate plate relative to the build chamber—in particular upwards in the build chamber.That is, toward the intended top of the build chamber—to expose the components and make them accessible for further processing. Thus, the depowder removal device represents a way to carry out the depowder removal process in a logistically simple manner, at least largely without environmental contamination, and with improved occupational safety for those involved.

[0008] The depowdering device proposed here is particularly designed for use with build chambers having a powder volume of 30 l to 100 l, in particular of 60 l to 90 l, in particular of 70 l to 80 l, in particular of 75 l.

[0009] In the context of the present technical teaching, a glove box is understood in particular to mean a volume enclosed by at least partially transparent walls, wherein at least one wall of the glove box has a glove opening through which a person can reach into the interior of the glove box and manipulate objects arranged therein with at least one hand, preferably with both hands over two gloves, while being protected and isolated from the environment by means of at least one glove tightly mounted on the wall. Such a glove box is also referred to as a glove box.

[0010] In particular, the glove opening in the working position of the glove box is arranged and configured such that a construction chamber lid, in particular an inner lid of a lid device of the construction chamber, can be manually opened and preferably moved into a storage position when the construction chamber is arranged on the construction chamber receptacle.

[0011] In one embodiment, the depowdering device comprises an inerting device arranged and configured to inerte the interior of the glove box, in particular to create a vacuum and / or a protective gas atmosphere therein. For this purpose, the inerting device may, in particular, comprise a vacuum pump and / or a protective gas supply. Suitable protective gases include, in particular, noble gases such as helium or argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or other inert gases, or gases that are at least inert or at least unreactive with respect to certain chemical reactions to be excluded. In one embodiment, the inerting device is configured to monitor, preferably maintain, a predetermined residual gas concentration or a predetermined maximum residual gas concentration, in particular a predetermined oxygen partial pressure or a predetermined maximum oxygen partial pressure.Alternatively or additionally, the inerting device is designed to monitor, preferably maintain, a predetermined pressure range or a predetermined maximum pressure.

[0012] Alternatively or additionally, the inerting device is configured to displace a volume of the glove box before flooding with protective gas; in particular, the inerting device may comprise a suitable pumping device, in particular a bellows, for this purpose.

[0013] In one embodiment, the glove box has a door that can be opened or, in particular, closed in a gas-tight manner. The door is preferably arranged and configured such that the substrate plate—in particular with the components arranged thereon—can be separated from the build chamber, removed, and preferably replaced with a new substrate plate.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first displacement device is configured to displace the substrate plate of the build chamber vertically, preferably linearly, relative to the build chamber housing of the build chamber, in particular along a designated vertical direction of the build chamber housing.

[0015] The build chamber, and in particular the build chamber housing, has the intended vertical direction such that a preferred direction for the arrangement of the build chamber in a manufacturing device for the additive manufacturing of components exists in the build chamber, wherein the intended vertical direction of the build chamber is aligned along the geodetic vertical direction or vertical—in particular oriented parallel thereto—when the build chamber is arranged as intended in the manufacturing device. Accordingly, the build chamber holder of the depowder removal device is preferably designed such that the intended vertical direction of the build chamber is aligned along the geodetic vertical direction and in particular oriented parallel thereto when the build chamber is attached to the build chamber holder and arranged in the assembly position.From the assembly position, the construction chamber can preferably be rotated or pivoted by means of the second displacement device in such a way that the vertical direction of the construction chamber is aligned obliquely to the geodetic vertical direction, in such a way that loose powder can be emptied, in particular tipped out, via an upper edge of the then opened construction chamber housing.

[0016] The first displacement device is particularly configured to displace the substrate plate along the intended vertical direction such that the substrate plate is displaced, in particular starting from a bottom side of the build chamber toward the upper edge of the build chamber housing, so that the manufactured components are raised above the upper edge and thus become accessible. Furthermore, the first displacement device is preferably configured such that the substrate plate can be raised above the upper edge and thus removed from the build chamber and preferably replaced with a new substrate plate.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first displacement device comprises a first fastening device configured to fasten the substrate plate to the first displacement device.

[0018] The first fastening device preferably has first counter-fastening elements that are configured and matched to first fastening elements of the substrate plate in order to cooperate with the first fastening elements to fasten the substrate plate to the first displacement device. The first fastening elements and the first counter-fastening elements are preferably designed as a zero-point clamping system. In this way, a precisely defined position and alignment of the substrate plate on the first displacement device can advantageously be achieved. In particular, the first fastening elements can be designed as clamping bolts, preferably as clamping bolts configured for zero-point clamping. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate plate has four clamping bolts.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the construction chamber holder has a second fastening device which is designed to fasten the construction chamber, in particular the construction chamber housing, to the construction chamber holder.

[0020] The second fastening device preferably has second counter-fastening elements that are configured and coordinated with second fastening elements of the build chamber to interact with the second fastening elements to fasten the build chamber, in particular the build chamber housing, to the build chamber receptacle. The second fastening elements and the second counter-fastening elements are preferably designed as a zero-point clamping system. This advantageously allows a precisely defined position and orientation of the build chamber housing in the depowdering device to be achieved. In particular, the second fastening elements can be designed as clamping bolts, preferably as clamping bolts configured for zero-point clamping. In a preferred embodiment, the build chamber housing has four clamping bolts.

[0021] According to a further development of the invention, the depowdering device comprises a hopper device arranged and configured to be connected—in particular in a gas-tight manner—to the build chamber. The hopper device is designed such that, in the emptying position, powder material emptied from the build chamber can be discharged via the hopper device when the hopper device is connected to the build chamber. Advantageously, the loose powder material can be emptied into the hopper device and discharged via the hopper device in this way without being discharged into the environment and the associated contamination or exposure to people.

[0022] The funnel device is preferably arranged - at least in the mounting position - in the glove box.

[0023] In particular, the funnel device can be connected to the build chamber in the assembly position. For this purpose, the build chamber lid, in particular the inner lid of the lid device, is preferably first removed from the build chamber housing, and the funnel device is attached to the build chamber housing—in particular instead of the build chamber lid. If the build chamber is then moved from the assembly position to the emptying position using the second displacement device, the loose powder material is emptied from the build chamber housing into the funnel device.

[0024] In one embodiment, the depowdering device comprises a removal device by means of which the powder material that has entered the hopper device can be conveyed away. The removal device is preferably designed as a blow-out and / or suction device configured to generate a gas stream through which the powder material is entrained and removed from the hopper device—in particular via a line connected thereto, preferably a hose. In one embodiment, the depowdering device, in particular the glove box, comprises a third displacement device configured to displace the hopper device—within the glove box—relative to the build chamber attached to the build chamber receptacle.By means of the third displacement device, the funnel device can thus advantageously be easily displaced toward the build chamber for securing it thereto. Furthermore, the funnel device can be removed from the build chamber again after being released. In one embodiment, the third displacement device comprises a rail device with at least one guide rail, preferably at least two guide rails, along which the funnel device can be displaced in a guided manner.

[0025] According to a further development of the invention, the second displacement device is configured to rotate the build chamber receptacle between the assembly position and the emptying position about a first axis of rotation—in particular by at least 120°, in particular by at least 150°, in particular by at least 180°. In particular, in this way—as already indicated above—the loose powder material can be easily emptied from the build chamber. Preferably, the first displacement device is also rotated, with the first displacement device advantageously configured to hold the substrate plate relative to the build chamber housing during emptying of the powder material, in particular to prevent the substrate plate from falling out of the build chamber housing.

[0026] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that the glove box can be displaced from the working position into a rest position. In this case, the glove box is preferably arranged in the rest position outside a displacement path of the build chamber from the assembly position to the emptying position. This represents an embodiment in which the build chamber receptacle can be rotated between the assembly position and the emptying position in a particularly simple manner and with particularly little expenditure of force and / or energy. In this embodiment, the build chamber receptacle is thus displaced between the assembly position and the emptying position without the glove box, i.e. in particular independently or separately from the glove box.

[0027] Alternatively, the glove box can be moved together with the build chamber mount between the assembly position and the emptying position. This represents a particularly simple mechanical design, which requires no relative displacement between the glove box and the build chamber mount, since the glove box can be moved together with the build chamber mount.

[0028] According to a further development of the invention, the glove box is rotatable or pivotable about a second axis of rotation from the working position to the rest position—and in particular back again. This represents a particularly space-saving design—particularly in the vertical direction—for moving the glove box from the working position to the rest position, which is particularly suitable for use in low-ceilinged rooms.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the glove box can be moved linearly from the working position to the rest position - and in particular back again. This represents a particularly simple design for moving the glove box from the working position to the rest position. The glove box can be moved horizontally and / or vertically between the working position and the rest position. A purely horizontal displacement is also particularly space-saving, particularly in the vertical direction, whereas a purely vertical displacement requires more vertical space, but can be implemented particularly easily mechanically and also advantageously reduces the space required by the depowdering device. Deviations from a purely linear displacement path are possible, whereby the displacement path can be curved at least in some areas.

[0030] In one embodiment, the glove box is manually movable between the working position and the rest position. Alternatively or additionally, the depowdering device comprises a fourth displacement device arranged and configured to move the glove box between the working position and the rest position.

[0031] According to a further development of the invention, at least one depowdering tool is arranged in the glove box. In this way, both depowdering concepts described above can advantageously be carried out in the same depowdering device and in particular in the same depowdering station. This advantageously further reduces the logistical effort required for depowdering, while also significantly reducing the risk of environmental contamination and significantly increasing occupational safety for the persons involved. In particular, the build chamber only needs to be moved once from the production device to a single depowdering station, namely the depowdering device proposed here, in order to cumulatively implement both depowdering concepts and thus achieve optimized depowdering with optimized logistics as well as increased occupational safety and a reduced risk of contamination.

[0032] In one embodiment, a gas-flow-driven depowdering lance—preferably manually guided—is arranged in the glove box. This represents a particularly efficient design of the depowdering tool. Alternatively or additionally, a brush is arranged in the glove box as the at least one depowdering tool. It is also possible for the depowdering lance to additionally have a brush function or to be designed as a brush.

[0033] In one embodiment, the depowdering lance is designed as a suction lance and configured to suck powder material from the components. In another embodiment, the depowdering lance is designed as a pressure lance or gas gun and configured to blow powder material off the components.

[0034] In one embodiment, at least two depowdering lances are arranged in the glove box, in particular a first depowdering lance designed as a suction lance and a second depowdering lance designed as a pressure lance or gas gun. Alternatively or additionally, a depowdering lance designed as a combined suction and pressure lance, thus combining both functions, is arranged in the glove box.

[0035] According to a further development of the invention, the glove compartment has a cover device with which the glove compartment can be closed in the rest position. Advantageously, this allows the inert atmosphere in the glove compartment to be at least partially maintained, even while the glove compartment is being moved to the rest position or is arranged in the rest position.

[0036] In one embodiment, the cover device is configured to be positively moved between an open position and a closed position—that is, from the open position to the closed position and / or back—when the glove box is moved between the working position and the rest position. This advantageously represents a particularly user-friendly design, whereby, in particular, a person entrusted with the operation cannot forget to move the cover device into the closed position or back to the open position.

[0037] In one embodiment, the covering device is designed as a roller shutter or as a cover.

[0038] According to a further development of the invention, the build chamber holder is rotatable about a third axis of rotation aligned parallel to an imaginary vertical direction of a build chamber intended to be arranged on the build chamber holder. This advantageously simplifies depowdering using the depowdering tool, in particular by making various sides of the substrate plate accessible from the glove-engagement position by rotating the build chamber about the third axis of rotation. Preferably, the build chamber holder can be rotated by at least 180°—in particular in both directions of rotation—and preferably by at least 360° about the third axis of rotation, so that it is accessible from all sides from the glove-engagement position.

[0039] In one embodiment, the build chamber holder is manually rotatable about the third rotation axis. Alternatively or additionally, the depowdering device comprises a fifth displacement device configured to rotate the build chamber holder about the third rotation axis.

[0040] According to a further development of the invention, a storage position is arranged in the glove box for the—in particular, fastened or fixed—storage of the build chamber lid—in particular the inner lid of the lid device—of the build chamber. This advantageously allows the build chamber lid to be stored in a defined manner. The storage position is preferably configured to fix the build chamber lid so that it is not displaced in an undefined manner, for example, by falling down, when the build chamber holder and / or the glove box are displaced.

[0041] According to a further development of the invention, at least one displacement device, selected from the first displacement device and the second displacement device, is designed as a hydraulic or pneumatic displacement device. This advantageously contributes to explosion protection of the depowdering device, since a hydraulic or pneumatic design of the displacement device prevents sparks from occurring, which could potentially lead to ignition and thus deflagration or explosion of the powder material. In one embodiment, at least one displacement device, selected from the first displacement device, the second displacement device, the third displacement device, the fourth displacement device, and the fifth displacement device, is designed as a hydraulic or pneumatic displacement device.

[0042] In one embodiment, all displacement devices of the depowdering device are designed as hydraulic or pneumatic displacement devices.

[0043] In particular, preferably no displacement device of the depowdering device is designed as an electrical displacement device.

[0044] In one embodiment, the second displacement device comprises a pivoting gear. This enables particularly efficient displacement of the build chamber holder between the mounting position and the emptying position. Preferably, the pivoting gear also enables the build chamber holder to be stopped or held in any angular position between the mounting position and the emptying position.

[0045] According to a further development of the invention, the depowdering device comprises at least one vibration device configured to excite vibrations in the build chamber housing and / or the substrate plate—particularly in the emptying position. This advantageously supports depowdering very effectively, particularly through vibration-induced shaking off of the loose powder material.

[0046] In one embodiment, the vibration device can be configured to be releasably attached to the substrate plate; alternatively or additionally, the vibration device can be arranged on the first displacement device. In one embodiment, a first vibration device is provided that can be releasably attached to the substrate plate, with a second vibration device arranged on the first displacement device.

[0047] In one embodiment, the at least one vibration device is designed as a ball vibrator. In this case, in particular, the vibration device is preferably arranged on the first displacement device, in particular permanently attached.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one vibration device is configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one vibration device is configured to generate vibrations in a frequency range from 1 Hz to 50 kHz, preferably from 1 Hz to 15 kHz or from 30 kHz to 38 kHz. In one embodiment, the first vibration device is configured to generate vibrations in a frequency range from 30 kHz to 38 kHz, and the second vibration device, which is preferably designed as a ball vibrator, is configured to generate vibrations in a frequency range from 1 Hz to 15 kHz.

[0049] The object is also achieved by creating a build chamber for the additive manufacturing of components from a powder material in the build chamber, wherein the build chamber has a build chamber housing, a substrate plate displaceably arranged in the build chamber housing, and a lid device which is designed to be arranged on the build chamber housing in order to close a chamber volume delimited by the build chamber housing and the substrate plate, in particular in a gas-tight manner, wherein the lid device has an outer lid designed for attachment to the build chamber housing and an inner lid which is designed to close a recess in the outer lid, in particular in a gas-tight manner. In connection with the build chamber, in particular those advantages arise which were already explained above in connection with the depowdering device.

[0050] The substrate plate is arranged in particular in an exchangeable manner on the construction chamber housing.

[0051] In particular, the build chamber has at least one sealing element arranged on the build chamber housing and / or on the substrate plate and configured to seal the substrate plate against the build chamber housing, while simultaneously sealing the chamber volume in the region of the transition between the substrate plate and the build chamber housing. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one sealing element is arranged on the substrate plate and configured such that it seals the substrate plate against the build chamber housing even when the substrate plate is displaced relative to the build chamber housing, so that the chamber volume is sealed in this region even when the substrate plate is displaced relative to the build chamber housing.

[0052] In one embodiment, the build chamber has a build chamber lid, with which the build chamber can be closed—in particular, in a gas-tight manner—particularly for transport between the production device and the depowdering device. In one configuration, the build chamber has a lid device comprising an outer lid and an inner lid arranged within the outer lid. The outer lid can be removed together with the inner lid, in particular to enable components to be built on the substrate plate in the production device and to enable the substrate plate to be removed from the build chamber housing after depowdering.The inner lid can be opened while the outer lid remains on the build chamber housing to perform the powder removal process, in particular to attach the funnel device to the build chamber—preferably in a gas-tight manner. The funnel device can be attached, in particular, to the outer lid instead of the inner lid. This particularly advantageously allows for the creation of an inert volume within the build chamber housing and the funnel device that is sealed from the environment, so that the glove box can be moved to the rest position to empty the build chamber without exposing the interior of the build chamber housing to contamination.

[0053] In one embodiment, the build chamber is configured for use with a depowdering device according to the invention or a depowdering device according to one or more of the previously described embodiments.

[0054] According to a further development of the invention, the substrate plate comprises first fastening elements configured to fasten the substrate plate to the first displacement device. The first fastening elements are preferably configured and matched to first counter-fastening elements of the first fastening device of the first displacement device in order to cooperate with the first counter-fastening elements to fasten the substrate plate to the first displacement device. The first fastening elements and the first counter-fastening elements are preferably designed as a zero-point clamping system. This advantageously allows a precisely defined position and alignment of the substrate plate on the first displacement device to be achieved.

[0055] According to a further development of the invention, the build chamber housing comprises second fastening elements configured to fasten the build chamber housing to the build chamber receptacle. The second fastening elements are preferably configured and matched to second counter-fastening elements of the second fastening device of the build chamber receptacle in order to cooperate with the second counter-fastening elements to fasten the build chamber to the build chamber receptacle. The second fastening elements and the second counter-fastening elements are preferably designed as a zero-point clamping system. This advantageously allows a precisely defined position and alignment of the build chamber housing in the depowdering device to be achieved.

[0056] The object is finally also achieved by providing a method for depowdering components produced from a powder material by means of additive manufacturing, comprising the following steps: a) fastening a build chamber, in particular a build chamber according to the invention or a build chamber according to one or more of the previously described embodiments, to a build chamber receptacle of a depowdering device, in particular a depowdering device according to the invention or a depowdering device according to one or more of the previously described embodiments, b) turning the build chamber over and removing powder material from the build chamber by emptying it, c) placing the build chamber upright, d) displacing a substrate plate displaceably arranged in the build chamber relative to the build chamber into a depowdering position, e) further removing powder material, in particular by means of a depowdering tool.

[0057] In connection with the process, the advantages that have already been described in connection with the build chamber or the depowdering device arise in particular.

[0058] In particular, in step b) the loose powder material is tipped out of the build chamber by turning the build chamber over.

[0059] The term "uprighting the build chamber" means, in particular, that the intended vertical direction of the build chamber is aligned along the geodetic vertical direction - i.e. parallel to the geodetic vertical direction - i.e. along the vertical.

[0060] Preferably, in step d), the substrate plate is displaced geodetically upwards, so that, in particular, the components arranged on the substrate plate are unpacked upwards. Preferably, in step e), a brush and / or a gas-driven depowdering lance, in particular a suction lance and / or a pressure lance or gas gun, is used as the depowdering tool. It is possible to use more than one depowdering tool in step b); in particular, depowdering tools of different designs can also be used.

[0061] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that after the construction chamber has been fastened to the construction chamber receptacle, in a further step a1), a glove box in which the construction chamber receptacle is arranged is rendered inert, wherein in particular a protective gas atmosphere and / or a vacuum is generated in the glove box. It is possible for the construction chamber to be introduced into the glove box beforehand in step a) and fastened in the glove box to the construction chamber receptacle; alternatively, the glove box is arranged above the construction chamber receptacle or around the construction chamber receptacle after step a) and before the further step a1), in particular in a further step a01), in particular moved from a rest position to a working position.

[0062] Alternatively, it is provided that the build chamber is introduced into a—preferably inertized—glove box prior to step a) and secured to the build chamber mount in the glove box. In one embodiment, the glove box is inertized prior to step a), in particular prior to the introduction of the build chamber; in particular, a protective gas atmosphere and / or vacuum is created in the glove box.

[0063] Alternatively or additionally, after step a) and before step b), in a step a2), a funnel device—in particular in the glove box—is attached to the build chamber, wherein powder material emptied from the build chamber in step b) is discharged via the funnel device. Preferably, at least one line, in particular at least one pipe or at least one hose, is attached to the funnel device to discharge the powder material—in particular driven by a gas stream.

[0064] Alternatively or additionally, the funnel device is removed after step c) and before step d) - in particular in the glove compartment.

[0065] Alternatively or additionally, after step a), in particular after step a2), and before step b), the glove box is moved from the working position to the rest position, with the glove box preferably being moved back from the rest position to the working position in or after step c) and before step d). Alternatively, the glove box is turned over together with the build chamber holder in step b) and placed upright again in step c).

[0066] Alternatively or additionally, after step e), the depowdered substrate plate is removed from the build chamber, and a new substrate plate is placed in the build chamber.

[0067] It is possible for the depowdered substrate plate to be removed from the glove box, preferably by breaking or removing the inert atmosphere in the glove box beforehand, so that an ambient atmosphere prevails in the glove box. Alternatively, it is possible for the glove box to be removed, in particular moved to its rest position, before removing the depowdered substrate plate. The new substrate plate is also preferably placed in the build chamber under ambient atmosphere and / or with the glove box removed.

[0068] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, which show:

[0069] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a depowdering device;

[0070] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a

[0071] Depowdering device in a first functional position;

[0072] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a

[0073] Depowdering device in a second functional position;

[0074] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the third embodiment of the

[0075] Depowdering device in a third functional position;

[0076] Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of a

[0077] Depowdering device;

[0078] Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a construction chamber for the additive manufacturing of components from a powder material in the construction chamber, and

[0079] Figure 7 shows an illustration of an embodiment of a substrate plate of the construction chamber according to Figure 6. Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a depowdering device 1 for depowdering components produced from a powder material by additive manufacturing.

[0080] The depowdering device 1 has a build chamber holder 3, which is configured such that a build chamber 5 of an additive manufacturing device, shown in more detail in Figure 6, can be attached to the build chamber holder 3, wherein the depowdering device 1 also has a glove box 7 - in particular a glove box. The glove box 7 is arranged at least in one working position relative to the build chamber holder 3 such that the build chamber 5 attached to the build chamber holder 3 can be reached by means of a glove opening 9 of the glove box 7. The depowdering device 1 also has a first displacement device 11, which is configured to displace a substrate plate 13 of the build chamber 5, shown in more detail in Figure 7, relative to a build chamber housing 15 of the build chamber 5, shown in more detail in Figure 6, when the build chamber 5 is attached to the build chamber holder 3.The depowdering device 1 further comprises a second displacement device 17, which is arranged and configured to displace the build chamber holder 3 with the build chamber 5 fastened thereto between an assembly position illustrated in i), in which the build chamber 5 can be fastened to the build chamber holder 3 and detached from the build chamber holder 3, and an emptying position illustrated in iii), in which loose powder material can be emptied from the build chamber 5. The build chamber 5 can thus be displaced as a whole into the emptying position by means of the second displacement device 17, so that the loose powder material is emptied from the build chamber 5. It is possible for the second displacement device 17 to have a pivoting gear.

[0081] By means of the first displacement device 11, it is possible - as indicated in ii) - to displace the substrate plate 13 relative to the build chamber 5, in particular upwards, in the direction of a designated upper side 19 of the build chamber 5, and thus to expose the components and make them accessible for further processing. In doing so, the manufactured components are raised above an upper edge 20 and thus become accessible. Furthermore, the first displacement device 11 is preferably configured such that the substrate plate 13 itself can be raised above the upper edge 20 and thus removed from the build chamber 5 and preferably replaced with a new substrate plate 13. Furthermore, the first displacement device 11 - as shown in iii) - is preferably displaced together with the build chamber 5 into the emptying position and holds the substrate plate 13 firmly in this emptying position so that it cannot fall out of the build chamber 5.

[0082] The glove opening 9 is preferably arranged and configured in the working position of the glove box 7 such that an inner lid 21 of a lid device 23 of the construction chamber 5, also shown in Figure 6, can be manually opened and preferably moved into a storage position 39 when the construction chamber 5 is arranged on the construction chamber receptacle 3.

[0083] The depowdering device 1 preferably has an inerting device (not shown here) that is arranged and configured to inerte an interior 25 of the glove box 7, in particular to create a vacuum and / or a protective gas atmosphere in the interior 25. The inerting device can, in particular, have a vacuum pump and / or a protective gas supply.

[0084] The glove box 7 can have a door (also not shown here) that can be opened or, in particular, closed in a gas-tight manner. The door is preferably arranged and configured such that the substrate plate 13 with the components arranged thereon can be separated from the build chamber 5, removed, and preferably replaced with a new substrate plate 13.

[0085] The first displacement device 11 is preferably configured to displace the substrate plate 13 vertically, preferably linearly, relative to the build chamber housing 15, in particular along a designated vertical direction of the build chamber housing 15.

[0086] In one embodiment, the first displacement device 11 has a first fastening device (not shown here) which is designed to fasten the substrate plate 13 to the first displacement device 11.

[0087] The first fastening device preferably has first counter-fastening elements that are configured and matched to the first fastening elements 27 of the substrate plate 13 shown in Figure 7, in order to cooperate with the first fastening elements 27 to fasten the substrate plate 13 to the first displacement device 11. The build chamber receptacle 3 preferably has a second fastening device 26 that is configured to fasten the build chamber 5, in particular the build chamber housing 15, to the build chamber receptacle 3.

[0088] The second fastening device 26 preferably has second counter-fastening elements 24, which are configured and coordinated with second fastening elements 28 of the build chamber holder 3, shown in more detail in Figure 6, to cooperate with the second fastening elements 28 to fasten the build chamber 5, in particular the build chamber housing 15, to the build chamber holder 3. The second fastening elements 28 and the second counter-fastening elements 24 are preferably designed as a zero-point clamping system.

[0089] According to a further development of the invention, the depowdering device 1 comprises a hopper device 29, which is arranged and configured to be connected—in particular in a gas-tight manner—to the build chamber 5. The hopper device 29 is designed such that, in the emptying position, powder material emptied from the build chamber 5 can be discharged via the hopper device 29 when the hopper device 29 is connected to the build chamber 5. The hopper device 29 can preferably be displaced by means of a third displacement device 43 shown in Figure 5.

[0090] The funnel device 29 is preferably arranged - at least in the mounting position - in the glove box 7.

[0091] In particular, the funnel device 29 can be connected to the build chamber 5 in the assembly position. For this purpose, a build chamber lid 30—see Figure 6—in particular the inner lid 21 of the lid device 23, is preferably first removed from the build chamber housing 15, and the funnel device 29 is attached to the build chamber housing 15—in particular instead of the inner lid 21. If the build chamber 5 is then displaced from the assembly position to the emptying position by means of the second displacement device 17, the loose powder material is emptied from the build chamber housing 15 into the funnel device 29.

[0092] The depowdering device 1 can have a discharge device by means of which the powder material which has entered the hopper device 29 can be conveyed away, wherein the discharge device is preferably designed as a blowing and / or suction device which is set up to generate a gas flow by which the powder material is entrained and discharged from the hopper device 29 - in particular via a line, preferably a hose, connected to a line connection 31 of the hopper device 29.

[0093] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, it is provided that the second displacement device 17 is configured to rotate the construction chamber holder 3 between the assembly position and the emptying position about a first axis of rotation Al.

[0094] The glove box 7 is preferably movable from the working position to a rest position. In the rest position, the glove box 7 is preferably arranged outside a displacement path of the build chamber 5 from the assembly position to the emptying position.

[0095] Figure 1 does not explicitly show how the glove box 7 can be displaced between the working position and the rest position, but it can be displaced in particular linearly from the working position to the rest position - and back -, in particular vertically, i.e. along the direction of gravity. The glove box 7 can also be displaced horizontally and linearly between the working position and the rest position. An overlap between a vertical and a horizontal direction of movement, for example diagonally upwards into the rest position, is also possible. Furthermore, deviations from a purely linear displacement path are of course possible, whereby the displacement path can be curved at least in some regions. Alternatively, the glove box 7 can be rotatable between the working position and the rest position about a second axis A2 - see Figure 2.

[0096] Preferably, the glove box 7 is manually movable between the working position and the rest position. Alternatively or additionally, the depowdering device 1 comprises a fourth displacement device 33—shown in Figure 3—which is arranged and configured to move the glove box 7 between the working position and the rest position.

[0097] Preferably, at least one depowdering tool 35, only schematically indicated in Figure 1 at i), is arranged in the glove box. The depowdering tool 35 is preferably a brush or a manually guided gas-flow-driven depowdering lance. The depowdering lance can be designed as a suction lance and configured to suck powder material from the components. Alternatively, the depowdering lance can be designed as a pressure lance or gas gun and configured to blow powder material from the components. A depowdering lance and a brush can also be arranged in the glove box 7. It is also possible for at least two depowdering lances to be arranged in the glove box 7, in particular a first depowdering lance designed as a suction lance and a second depowdering lance designed as a pressure lance or gas gun, and optionally additionally a brush.Finally, it is also possible for a powder removal lance to be arranged in the glove box 7, which is designed as a combined suction and pressure lance and thus combines both functions, and optionally also a brush.

[0098] Preferably, the glove box 7 has a cover device 37 with which the glove box 7 can be closed in the rest position. The cover device 37 is optionally configured to be positively moved from an open position to a closed position when the glove box 7 is moved from the working position to the rest position—and back again accordingly. The cover device 37 can be designed as a roller shutter or as a cover.

[0099] The storage position 39 for the—in particular, fastened or fixed—storage of the build chamber lid 30—in particular the inner lid 21 of the lid device 23—of the build chamber 5 is preferably arranged in the glove box 7. The build chamber lid 30 can thus advantageously be stored in a defined manner. The storage position 39 is preferably configured to fix the build chamber lid 30 so that it is not displaced in an undefined manner, for example, by falling down, when the build chamber holder 3 and / or the glove box 7 are displaced.

[0100] The depowdering device 1 preferably has at least one vibration device 41 configured to excite the build chamber housing 15 and / or the substrate plate 13 to vibrate, in particular for vibration-induced shaking off of the loose powder material in the emptying position. The depowdering device 41 can be detachably attached to the substrate plate 13; in the embodiment illustrated here, the vibration device 41 is arranged on the first displacement device 11, optionally detachably or permanently attached thereto. The vibration device 41 can be designed as a ball vibrator.

[0101] Within the scope of a method for depowdering components produced from a powder material by means of additive manufacturing, the following is preferred: a) the build chamber 5 - as shown in i) - is fastened to the build chamber holder 3 of the depowdering device 1, then b) the build chamber 5 - as shown in iii) - is turned over, and powder material is removed from the build chamber 5 by emptying, in particular tipped out or emptied, then c) the build chamber 5 is placed upright again, then d) the substrate plate 13 displaceably arranged in the build chamber 5 is displaced relative to the build chamber housing 15 into a depowdering position, and e) further powder material is removed, in particular by means of the depowdering tool 35.

[0102] Preferably, the substrate plate 13 is displaced geodetically upwards in step d) so that the components arranged on the substrate plate 13 are unpacked upwards.

[0103] Preferably, in step e), a brush and / or a gas-driven depowdering lance, in particular a suction lance and / or a pressure lance or gas gun, is used as the depowdering tool 35. It is possible for more than one depowdering tool 35 to be used in step b); in particular, depowdering tools 35 of different configurations can also be used.

[0104] Preferably, after the construction chamber 5 has been fastened to the construction chamber holder 3, the glove box 7 is rendered inert in a step a1), wherein in particular a protective gas atmosphere and / or a vacuum is generated in the glove box 7.

[0105] Preferably, as shown in ii), after step a) and before step b), in a step a2), the funnel device 29 is attached to the build chamber 5—preferably in the glove box 7. In step b), the powder material emptied from the build chamber 5 is then removed via the funnel device 29. After step c) and before step d), the funnel device 29 is preferably removed—in particular again in the glove box 7.

[0106] Alternatively or additionally, after step a), in particular after step a2), and before step b), the glove box 7 is moved from the working position to the rest position, wherein the glove box 7 is preferably moved back from the rest position to the working position in or after step c) and before step d). Alternatively or additionally, the depowdered substrate plate 13 is removed from the build chamber 5—in particular also from the glove box 7—after step e), wherein a new substrate plate 13 is arranged in the build chamber 5, preferably after its introduction into the glove box 7.

[0107] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the depowdering device 1 in a first functional position.

[0108] Identical and functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures, so reference is made to the preceding description. Furthermore, only the relevant differences from the embodiments explained in detail in connection with Figure 1 will be discussed below.

[0109] In this second embodiment, the glove box 7 is rotated or - equivalently - pivoted about a second axis of rotation A2 in the first functional position from the working position to the rest position.

[0110] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the depowdering device 1 in a second functional position.

[0111] In this third embodiment, the glove box 7 is shown in the second functional position in the working position, and the fourth displacement device 33 is configured here to displace the glove box 7 linearly vertically from the working position to the rest position - and back.

[0112] The build chamber holder 3 is preferably rotatable about a third rotational axis A3, oriented parallel to an imaginary vertical direction of the build chamber 5. This advantageously simplifies depowdering using the depowdering tool 35, in that, in particular, from the position of the glove grip 9, different sides of the substrate plate 13 become accessible by rotating the build chamber 5 about the third rotational axis A3. The build chamber holder 3 can be manually rotatable about the third rotational axis A3, or a fifth displacement device 42 can be provided, which is configured to rotate the build chamber holder 3 about the third rotational axis A3.

[0113] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the third embodiment of the depowdering device 1 in a third functional position. In this third embodiment, the glove box 7 is displaced linearly upward from the working position to the rest position by the fourth displacement device 33 in the third functional position.

[0114] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the depowdering device 1.

[0115] In this fourth exemplary embodiment, the depowdering device 1, in particular the glove box 7, has the third displacement device 43, which is configured to displace the funnel device 29—within the glove box 7—relative to the build chamber 5 fastened to the build chamber receptacle 3, in order to fasten the funnel device 29 to the build chamber 5—see i) and ii). Furthermore, the funnel device 29 can be removed from the build chamber 5 again after the fastening has been released. The third displacement device 43 here has a rail device 45 with at least one guide rail 47, here precisely two guide rails 47, along which the funnel device 29 can be displaced in a guided manner.

[0116] In the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 5, it is also provided that the glove box 7 is rotated together with the construction chamber holder 3 from the assembly position into the emptying position in step b) as part of the method and, after emptying, is placed upright together with the latter again from the emptying position into the assembly position in step c) - see i) and iii).

[0117] Preferably, all displacement devices 11, 17, 33, 42, 43—if provided in a particular embodiment—are designed as hydraulic or pneumatic displacement devices. This advantageously contributes to explosion protection of the depowder removal device 1, since a hydraulic or pneumatic design of the displacement devices 11, 17, 33, 42, 43 prevents sparks from occurring, which could potentially lead to ignition and thus deflagration or explosion of the powder material.

[0118] Fig. 6 shows an illustration of an embodiment of a build chamber 5 for the additive manufacturing of components from a powder material in the build chamber 5.

[0119] Shown is the build chamber housing 15, which is closed on top by the lid device 23. The lid device 23 is designed to be arranged on the build chamber housing 15 and to close—in particular in a gas-tight manner—a chamber volume of the build chamber 5 defined by the build chamber housing 15 and the substrate plate 13. The lid device 23 has an outer lid 51 designed for attachment to the build chamber housing 15 and the inner lid 21. The inner lid 21 is designed to close—in particular in a gas-tight manner—a recess in the outer lid 51.

[0120] With the lid device 23, the construction chamber 5 can be closed - in particular gas-tight - in particular for transport between a production device and the depowdering device 1.

[0121] The outer cover 51 can be removed together with the inner cover 21, in particular to enable components to be built on the substrate plate 13 in the production device and to enable the substrate plate 13 to be removed from the build chamber housing 15 after depowdering. The inner cover 21 can be opened while the outer cover 51 remains on the build chamber housing 15 in order to perform depowdering, in particular to attach the funnel device 29 to the build chamber 5—preferably in a gas-tight manner. The funnel device 29 can be attached to the outer cover 51 or to the build chamber housing 15.

[0122] The build chamber housing 15 also has the second fastening elements 28, which are configured to fasten the build chamber housing 15 to the build chamber receptacle 3. The second fastening elements 28 are preferably configured and matched to the second counter-fastening elements 24 of the second fastening device 26 of the build chamber receptacle 3 in order to cooperate with the second counter-fastening elements 24 to fasten the build chamber 5 to the build chamber receptacle 15. The second fastening elements 28 and the second counter-fastening elements 24 are preferably designed as a zero-point clamping system.

[0123] Fig. 7 shows an illustration of an embodiment of a substrate plate 13 of the construction chamber according to Figure 6.

[0124] The substrate plate 13 is arranged in particular in an exchangeable manner on the construction chamber housing 15.

[0125] The build chamber 5 preferably has at least one sealing element 53, which is arranged on the build chamber housing 15 and / or on the substrate plate 13 and is configured to seal the substrate plate 13 against the build chamber housing 15, wherein at the same time the chamber volume is sealed in the region of the transition between the substrate plate 13 and the build chamber housing 15. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 7, two sealing elements 53 in the form of circumferential sealing rings are arranged on the substrate plate 13 and are configured such that they seal the substrate plate 13 against the build chamber housing 15 even when the substrate plate 13 is displaced relative to the build chamber housing 15, so that the chamber volume is sealed even when the substrate plate 13 is displaced relative to the build chamber housing 13.

[0126] The substrate plate 13 also has the first fastening elements 27, which are configured to fasten the substrate plate 13 to the first displacement device 11. The first fastening elements 27 are preferably configured and matched to first counter-fastening elements of the first fastening device of the first displacement device 11 in order to cooperate with the first counter-fastening elements to fasten the substrate plate 13 to the first displacement device 11. The first fastening elements 27 and the first counter-fastening elements are preferably designed as a zero-point clamping system.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Depowdering device (1) for depowdering components produced from a powder material by additive manufacturing, comprising a build chamber holder (3) configured such that a build chamber (5) of an additive manufacturing device can be attached to the build chamber holder (3), a glove box (7) arranged at least in one working position relative to the build chamber holder (3) such that a build chamber (5) attached to the build chamber holder (3) can be reached by means of a glove opening (9) of the glove box (7), a first displacement device (11) configured to displace a substrate plate (13) of the build chamber (5) relative to a build chamber housing (15) of the build chamber (5) when the build chamber (5) is attached to the build chamber holder (3), and a second displacement device (17) arranged and configuredto move the build chamber holder (3) with the build chamber (5) attached thereto between a mounting position in which the build chamber (5) can be attached to and detached from the build chamber holder (3), and an emptying position in which loose powder material can be emptied from the build chamber (5).

2. Depowdering device (1) according to claim 1, with a hopper device (29) which is arranged and designed to be connected - in particular in a gas-tight manner - to the building chamber (5), wherein the hopper device (29) is designed such that, in the emptying position, powder material emptied from the building chamber (5) can be discharged via the hopper device (29) when the hopper device (29) is connected to the building chamber (5).

3. Depowdering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second displacement device (17) is arranged to rotate the construction chamber receptacle (3) between the assembly position and the emptying position about a first axis of rotation (Al).

4. Depowdering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the glove box (7) can be moved from the working position to a rest position, or - can be moved together with the construction chamber holder (3) between the assembly position and the emptying position is.

5. Depowdering device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the glove box (7) is moved from the working position to the rest position - rotatable about a second axis of rotation (A2) and / or - can be moved linearly.

6. Depowdering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one depowdering tool (35), in particular a - preferably manually guided - gas flow driven depowdering lance, is arranged in the glove box (7).

7. Depowdering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the glove box (7) has a covering device (37) with which the glove box (7) can be closed in the rest position, wherein the covering device (37) is preferably designed to be displaced in a positively controlled manner between an open position and a closed position when the glove box (7) is displaced between the working position and the rest position.

8. Depowdering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the construction chamber holder (3) is rotatable about a third axis of rotation (A3) aligned parallel to an imaginary vertical direction of a construction chamber (5) arranged as intended on the construction chamber holder (3).

9. Depowdering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a storage position (39) for the - in particular fastened or fixed - storage of a construction chamber cover (30) of the construction chamber (5) is arranged in the glove box (7).

10. Depowdering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one displacement device (11, 17, 33, 42, 43), selected from the first displacement device (11) and the second displacement device (17), is designed as a hydraulic or pneumatic displacement device (11, 17, 33, 42, 43), wherein preferably all displacement devices (11, 17, 33, 42, 43) of the depowdering device (1) are designed as hydraulic or pneumatic displacement devices (11, 17, 33, 42, 43).

11. Depowdering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the depowdering device (1) has at least one vibration device (41) which is designed to excite the build chamber housing (15) and / or the substrate plate (13) - in particular in the emptying position - to vibrate.

12. A build chamber (5) for the additive manufacturing of components from a powder material in the build chamber (5), comprising a build chamber housing (15), a substrate plate (13) displaceably arranged in the build chamber housing (15), and a lid device (23) configured to be arranged on the build chamber housing (15) in order to close a chamber volume delimited by the build chamber housing (15) and the substrate plate (13), in particular in a gas-tight manner, wherein the lid device (23) has an outer lid (51) configured for attachment to the build chamber housing (15) and an inner lid (21) configured to close a recess in the outer lid (51), in particular in a gas-tight manner, wherein the build chamber (5) is preferably configured for use with a depowdering device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The build chamber (5) according to claim 12, wherein the substrate plate (13) comprises first fastening elements (27) configured to fasten the substrate plate (13) to the first displacement device (11).

14. The build chamber (5) according to one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the build chamber housing (15) has second fastening elements (28) which are configured to fasten the build chamber housing (15) to the build chamber receptacle (3).

15. A method for depowdering components produced from a powder material by means of additive manufacturing, comprising the following steps: a) fastening a construction chamber (5), in particular a construction chamber (5) according to one of claims 12 to 14, to a construction chamber receptacle (3) of a depowdering device (1), in particular a depowdering device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, b) turning the construction chamber (5) over and removing powder material from the construction chamber (5) by emptying it, c) placing the construction chamber (5) upright, d) displacing a substrate plate (13) displaceably arranged in the construction chamber (5) relative to the construction chamber (5) into a depowdering position, e) further removal of powder material, in particular by means of a Depowdering tool (35).

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein - after fastening the construction chamber (5) to the construction chamber holder (3) in a step a1), a glove box (7) in which the construction chamber holder (3) is arranged is rendered inert, and / or - after step a) and before step b) in a step a2) a funnel device (29) - in particular in the glove box (7) - is attached to the construction chamber (5), wherein in step b) powder material emptied from the construction chamber (5) is discharged via the funnel device (29), and / or - after step c) and before step d) - in particular in the glove box (7) - the funnel device (29) is removed, and / or - after step a), in particular after step a2), and before step b), the glove box (7) is moved from a working position to a rest position, wherein preferably in or after step c) and before step d), the glove box (7) is moved back from the rest position to the working position, and / or - after step e), the depowdered substrate plate (13) is removed from the construction chamber (5) - in particular from the glove box (7) -, wherein a new substrate plate (13) is arranged in the construction chamber (5), preferably after being introduced into the glove box (7).

Images