Hatch strategy during the process of solidifying construction material in an additive manufacturing process

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer-aided method for providing control data for an additive manufacturing device (1), having: a first step (S1) of accessing computer-based model data of at least one section of the object to be manufactured; a second step (S2) of generating at least one data model of a region to be solidified of a construction material layer, movement vectors of the at least one beam on the construction plane being specified in the data model in order to scan locations of the region to be solidified along a plurality of trajectories, the trajectories being specified such that the distance between adjacent trajectories is always greater than or equal to 5 µm and / or less than or equal to 350 µm and, at the same time, the beam is moved along the adjacent trajectories at a speed which is greater than or equal to 300 mm / s and / or less than or equal to 3500 mm / s; and a third step (S3) in which control data corresponding to the data model generated in step (S2) is provided in order to generate a control data set for the manufacturing device.

Description

[0001] Hatch strategy for solidifying the build material in an additive manufacturing process

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and a device for providing control data for an additive manufacturing device, to a correspondingly adapted additive manufacturing method, a corresponding device for controlling energy input devices of an additive manufacturing device, a correspondingly adapted additive manufacturing device and a correspondingly adapted computer program.

[0003] Additive manufacturing devices and associated methods to which the invention relates are, in particular, those in which objects are produced layer by layer by solidifying a shapeless build-up material. Solidification can be achieved, for example, by supplying heat energy to the build-up material by irradiating it with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation (e.g., laser sintering (SLS or DMLS) or laser melting or electron beam melting). For example, in laser sintering or laser melting, one or more laser beams are moved over those areas of a layer of the build-up material that correspond to the cross-section of the object to be produced in that layer, so that the build-up material is melted at these areas and, after cooling, is in a solidified state.

[0004] Fig. 8 shows the usual procedure for the additive manufacturing of objects by irradiating build material with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation (e.g., laser sintering (SLS or DMLS) or laser melting or electron beam melting). In Fig. 8, an object cross-section 50 is shown in a

[0005] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 The internal or core area 52 and a contour area 51 are subdivided, with the contour area 51 typically being assigned different parameters for energy input into the build-up material than the internal area 52. For example, the contour area 51 is scanned with a laser beam such that the laser beam is moved along the contour. The internal area 52 is usually solidified such that it is subdivided into sub-areas 53, which are typically approximately rectangular or square in shape and are therefore also referred to as "strips" or "squares". The internal area 52 is then scanned sub-area by sub-area with the laser beam.

[0006] As shown in Fig. 8, in each sub-area 53 the laser beam is moved along parallel paths (hatch lines) 54 across the build-up material, resulting in a hatched movement pattern when scanning each sub-area 53 with the laser beam. This process is also known as "hatching" in technical jargon. In Fig. 8, the direction of movement of the laser beam is illustrated by arrows. It can be seen that the directions of movement for adjacent hatch lines 54 are opposite to each other.

[0007] Fig. 9 illustrates how such a movement pattern of the laser beam can be achieved, showing only two hatch lines 64 and 65 of the area 53. The starting and ending points of hatch line 64 are designated 64A and 64E, respectively. The starting and ending points of hatch line 65 are designated 65A and 65E, respectively. In Fig. 9, the laser beam enters area 53 at the top left and scans the build material in area 53 along the upper hatch line 64. At the end 64E of the hatch line, i.e., when the laser beam reaches the edge of the sub-area 53, the direction of the laser beam is changed within the reversal area 55, so that the laser beam can then move along the second-highest hatch line 65 in the opposite direction over the build material in sub-area 53. Following this movement pattern, the entire sub-area 53 is then scanned, as illustrated in Fig. 8.

[0008] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 The inventors observed, particularly when using metal-containing build-up materials, undesirable height differences (fluctuations in layer thickness) of the solidified build-up material at the locations corresponding to the object's cross-section after the material had solidified. These fluctuations can impair the build-up process and the mechanical properties of the manufactured objects. Furthermore, the precision of components with cantilevers / lateral projections was impaired, with the degree of impairment increasing the more horizontal the underside of the cantilever / lateral projection was.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device by which objects with improved detail resolution can be obtained through a more reliable additive manufacturing process.

[0010] The problem is solved by a computer-aided method according to claim 1, an additive manufacturing method according to claim 12, a device for providing control data according to claim 13, a device according to claim 14, an additive manufacturing device according to claim 15, and a computer program according to claim 16. Further developments of the invention are claimed in the dependent claims. In particular, a device according to the invention can also be further developed by features of the methods according to the invention described below or in the dependent claims, and vice versa. Furthermore, the features described in connection with a device according to the invention can also be used to further develop another device according to the invention, even if this is not explicitly stated.

[0011] A computer-aided method according to the invention for providing control data for an additive manufacturing device for producing a three-dimensional object, wherein the object is produced by means of the additive manufacturing device by applying a build material layer upon layer and solidifying the build material in a build plane by supplying radiant energy to locations in each layer that correspond to the cross-section of the object in that layer, by irradiating these locations with at least one beam

[0012] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025, which is scanned along a number of trajectories according to a set of energy input parameter values ​​to effect a sintering or melting process, comprises: a first step (S1) of accessing computer-based model data of at least one section of the object to be manufactured, a second step (S2) of generating at least one data model of an area of ​​a build-up material layer to be solidified for the production of the at least one object section, which is associated with an area of ​​a cross-section of the object, wherein motion vectors of the at least one beam in the build plane are specified in the data model for scanning locations of the area to be solidified along a plurality of trajectories, wherein the beam is moved along a trajectory, wherein the trajectories are specified in such a way thatthat a distance between adjacent trajectories is always greater than or equal to 5 pm and / or less than or equal to 350 pm and at the same time the beam is moved along the adjacent trajectories at a speed greater than or equal to 300 mm / s and / or less than or equal to 3500 mm / s, and a third step (S3) in which control data are provided according to at least one data model for generating a control data set for the additive manufacturing device, based on the data model generated in the second step (S2).

[0013] Preferably, the distance between adjacent trajectories is always greater than or equal to 100 pm and / or less than or equal to 300 pm, more preferably greater than or equal to 120 pm and / or less than or equal to 280 pm, while a speed is specified for the movement of the beam along adjacent trajectories which is greater than or equal to 1000 mm / s and / or less than or equal to 2500 mm / s, more preferably greater than or equal to 1200 mm / s and / or less than or equal to 2000 mm / s.

[0014] Additive manufacturing devices and methods to which the present invention relates are, in particular, those in which energy, in the form of electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, is selectively supplied to a layer of a formless build material. The build plane (also referred to as the working plane) is

[0015] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025, a plane in which the top surface of the layer to which the energy is supplied lies. The energy supply can be carried out, for example, using a laser or an electron beam source. The radiation supplied to the build-up material heats it and thereby causes a sintering or melting process. In particular, the present invention comprises laser sintering, laser melting and electron beam melting devices as well as the associated processes.

[0016] Of particular advantage is an application of the invention in connection with additive manufacturing processes and devices in which a metallic or at least metal-containing build-up material is used, for example a metal powder or metal alloy powder.

[0017] It should be noted here that not only one object, but also several objects can be produced simultaneously using an additive manufacturing device according to the invention. When the present application refers to the production of one object, it is understood that the respective description also applies equally to additive manufacturing processes and devices in which several objects are produced simultaneously.

[0018] The control data set (often also referred to as the control instruction set) is considered here to be a sequence of instructions to apply layers of the build material one after the other and to scan areas of the respective layers, which correspond to the cross-section of an object to be manufactured, with radiation in order to solidify the build material.

[0019] In detail, a control data set is based on a computer-based model of the object(s) to be manufactured, preferably a CAD model. The control data set specifies, for each layer during manufacturing, the locations where solidification of the build material is to be achieved through radiation application, and optionally also the layer thickness. Furthermore, a control data set often contains fixture-specific information, for example, regarding the position and orientation of the objects in the additive manufacturing fixture. Typically, the control data set includes all the information necessary to control the energy input device, i.e., the device that determines the number of radiation sources.

[0020] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 and the associated number of beam deflection devices, required data, which determines, among other things, the radiation power in the beam and / or the traverse speed of the beam over the build-up material and / or an irradiation pattern.

[0021] It should be noted that the diameter of a beam does not necessarily have to be very small, especially if the radiation strikes the build-up material at an angle or if radiation is used that is intentionally designed to cover a larger area when striking the build-up material.

[0022] The control data set can be considered the entirety of all control data specified for controlling the manufacturing process in an additive manufacturing device. The control data relating to a single layer are usually referred to as the layer data set. In the present application, it is specifically assumed that a layer data set contains a data model of the areas of an object's cross-section to be solidified during the manufacturing process. Such a data model is obtained from computer-based model data of the object to be manufactured, in particular a CAD model of the object to be manufactured, by slicing the CAD model into layers. However, it is also conceivable to extract a two-dimensional representation of the object's cross-section to be solidified in a layer by means of one or more beams from the computer-based model data of the object in another way.The layer data set specifies locations corresponding to an object cross-section that are to be solidified in the associated build-up material layer. Furthermore, it can contain additional information regarding the fabrication of the object cross-section, in particular the sequence in which locations corresponding to an object cross-section are to be solidified by specifying the beam's movement vectors in the build plane. These specified movement vectors thus cause the beam to move along a trajectory in the build plane. For example, a movement vector could be specified by stating two pairs of coordinates, e.g., (x1, y1, x2, y2). This would specify that the beam moves from the point (x1, y1) in the build plane to the point (x2, y2) in the...

[0023] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 to move the build plane. Furthermore, irradiation parameter values, such as the diameter or the travel speed of the beam impacting the build-up material, can also be specified. It should be emphasized that there are also special cases in which a layer data set does not refer to a complete object cross-section, but only to a part of it.

[0024] A trajectory is understood here as a line in the build plane along which a beam is moved, preferably without interrupting the supply of radiant energy to the build material layer. Trajectories defined in this way can essentially run parallel to each other, in which case they correspond to the hatch lines shown in Fig. 8; however, they can also run along a contour / edge of an object cross-section or parallel to a contour of an object.

[0025] The computer-based model data could, for example, be a model of the object section to be manufactured, which exists, for instance, as a CAD model or converted to the STL format, and does not yet contain any information about the decomposition into layers for layer-by-layer manufacturing. The model data could also exist in a GML (Generative Modeling Language) description. Alternatively, the computer-based model data could consist of a number of layer data sets, each containing a data model of an area of ​​a build-up material layer to be selectively solidified during manufacturing, corresponding to a cross-section of the object section.

[0026] It should be noted here that in the present application the term 'number' is always to be understood as 'one or more'. Furthermore, it should be noted that the object section does not necessarily have to refer only to a part of the object to be manufactured, but can also encompass the entire object to be manufactured.

[0027] Access to the model data can involve reading the model data from memory or receiving it via a network. The model data for the entire object section does not necessarily have to be accessed in this way.

[0028] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 necessarily requires that the data be read in all at once. It is also possible that there is a larger time interval between access operations to parts of the model data, for example, parts of the model data are read in as needed during a manufacturing process of the object section from a memory (which can also be accessed, for example, by the additive manufacturing device) or via a network, and a generated data model is then integrated into the control data set during the manufacturing process. Thus, based on the method according to the invention, an additive manufacturing device can itself modify the control data set for its operation.

[0029] If the model data accessed in the first step already contains a number of layer data records, then the creation of at least one data model in the second step can consist of modifying a data model of an existing assembly material layer within the model data. Otherwise, a data model of an assembly material layer (or a part thereof) can be created for the first time in the second step.

[0030] If the data model generated in the second step specifies scanning with at least one beam along a trajectory or moving a beam along a trajectory, then this means that during the scanning process, at least one beam acts on the build material in such a way that a solidification of at least one uppermost layer of the build material is caused, i.e., the build material is not merely preheated or reheated, but is at least partially melted.

[0031] During the solidification of the build material along a trajectory, the energy input from the beam causes the material to partially or completely melt, resulting in the bonding of its components (e.g., powder particles). After cooling, the build material then exists as a solid.

[0032] It should be mentioned that there may be structural materials, such as alloys, for which a melting range, rather than a single, definitive melting point, is defined. In principle...

[0033] According to EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025, in such a case, partial melting can already be said to have occurred if the solidus temperature, i.e., the lower limit of the melting range, is exceeded. However, the present invention is preferably applicable to cases in which the build-up material is completely melted, i.e., the liquidus temperature or the upper limit of the melting range is exceeded.

[0034] Since the transitions between partial (i.e., superficial in the case of powder particles) melting (e.g., liquid-phase sintering) and complete melting are fluid, the terms sintering and melting are used synonymously in the present application. In any case, the present invention can be used particularly in additive manufacturing processes in which the complete melting of the build material occurs when a beam is directed onto the build material, especially by means of a keyhole welding process.

[0035] When a beam is moved along a trajectory in the build plane across the build material, energy is supplied to the build material along the linear trajectory such that the resulting melt track in the build material has a non-zero width, depending on process parameters, particularly the power and the extent of the beam impact area on the build material. In contrast to the melt track, the trajectory is a line of zero width, resulting from the specification of the beam's movement, i.e., its impact area on the build material, in the build plane.

[0036] The length of a solidification track (melt track) corresponds, for example, in hatching, to the width of a (often strip-shaped or rectangular) section of a cross-section of the object being manufactured that is to be solidified. If an object cross-section or a (often rectangular) section thereof to be solidified is solidified by means of a jet in the form of a hatching pattern, the trajectories corresponding to the hatching lines are also referred to as "hatch lines".

[0037] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 Preferably, the hatch lines run substantially parallel to each other, e.g., for at least 80%, preferably at least 95%, of the length of the shorter of the two adjacent trajectories. The fact that two hatch lines run parallel does not mean that the hatch lines must necessarily be straight. Two curved hatch lines can also be defined as parallel to each other if their distance remains constant over a certain length (e.g., for at least 80%, preferably at least 95%, of the shorter of the two hatch lines).

[0038] When the invention is applied to the hardening of strip-shaped or square sub-areas, the hatch lines have the same lengths. Otherwise, particularly if the areas to be hardened are not rectangular or the trajectories are not perpendicular to the edges of a sub-area, the hatch lines may also have different lengths.

[0039] The direction of scanning along a trajectory generally runs from the start point to the end point, with the start point being the first location scanned and the end point being the last location scanned. To avoid misunderstandings, it should be emphasized that when defining a start or end point, any unwanted swiveling movements of the beam around the start or end point are disregarded.

[0040] It should also be noted that the tax data provided for the generation of a tax data record can consist, on the one hand, of the data model itself generated in the second step, and on the other hand, the data model can also be further prepared according to any format requirements for integration into the tax data record.

[0041] The inventors were able to determine that the quality of the manufactured objects, particularly their mechanical properties, can be improved if the speed of the beam's movement (i.e., the beam's impact area on the build material) in the build plane, as well as the distance between adjacent trajectories, are kept within coordinated ranges. The distance between two adjacent trajectories can, for example, be defined as the average distance in the area where the

[0042] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 defines trajectories as running essentially parallel to each other. "Essentially parallel" can be characterized by the fact that the distance varies by less than 20%, preferably less than 10%, and even more preferably less than 5%. Thus, the trajectories preferably run essentially parallel to each other along their entire length (more precisely, along the entire length of the shorter of the two) or at least along a segment of one of the trajectories. It is also possible to adjust the local speed of movement along a trajectory to the local distance to a neighboring trajectory.

[0043] Depending on the desired mechanical properties for an object or a part thereof, different design parameters are typically specified in the control data set. For example, the power of the radiation source will vary depending on whether high elongation at break or high material strength is required. This can be explained by the fact that the mechanical properties depend on the porosity and the degree of crystallinity of the microstructure after hardening (the lower the porosity and the larger or more oriented the crystals, the higher the elongation at break and the lower the strength).

[0044] It is also important that the porosity of the object (depending on the desired mechanical properties) is low enough to ensure these properties are achieved. Low porosity implicitly means a high density (the fewer pores, the denser the object). Furthermore, the object and its structure must be as free of cracks as possible to guarantee the desired mechanical properties. Typically, a so-called crack density (expressed in mm / mm²) is used to measure this. 2The crack density is defined for an object, where this crack density is the sum of the lengths of all cracks within a unit area. The aim is to ensure that the crack density of an object remains below a certain limit. To minimize porosity (or maximize density) and crack density, the construction parameters in the control data set are specified such that the porosity and / or crack density are kept below a certain limit, at least in some parts of the object.

[0045] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 The inventors were able to determine in this context that, surprisingly, the adjustment of the mechanical properties depends precisely on the ratio between the speed of the beam and the distance between adjacent trajectories. By paying attention to this ratio, the mechanical properties can be adjusted without negatively affecting the porosity of the component (the porosity remains below a certain limit, so that the mechanical properties are not impaired due to excessive porosity).

[0046] For homogeneous material properties within the object, the values ​​for the distance d of adjacent trajectories and the speed of movement v should preferably fluctuate by less than 10%, more preferably by less than 5%, and further preferably by less than 2%.

[0047] Preferably, it is specified that the distance between adjacent trajectories is always less than or equal to 260 pm, while at the same time the beam is moved along the adjacent trajectories at a speed greater than or equal to 1500 mm / s.

[0048] The inventors determined that high strength and low elongation at break require high movement speeds and short distances between trajectories. High strength of the material used in the manufactured object is synonymous with low elasticity.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a distance between adjacent trajectories is specified which is less than or equal to 260 pm, preferably less than or equal to 240 pm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 220 pm and / or greater than or equal to 140 pm, preferably greater than or equal to 160 pm, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 180 pm, wherein at the same time the beam is moved along the adjacent trajectories at a speed which is greater than or equal to 1500 mm / s, preferably greater than or equal to 2000 mm / s, particularly preferably

[0050] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 greater than or equal to 2100 mm / s and / or less than or equal to 3000 mm / s, preferably less than or equal to 2500 mm / s, particularly preferably less than or equal to 2300 mm / s. It is preferably specified that the distance between adjacent trajectories is always greater than or equal to 180 pm, wherein at the same time the beam is moved along the adjacent trajectories at a speed that is less than or equal to 2000 mm / s.

[0051] In particular, a distance between adjacent trajectories is specified which is greater than or equal to 180 pm, preferably greater than or equal to 200 pm, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 220 pm and / or less than or equal to 300 pm, preferably less than or equal to 270 pm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 250 pm, wherein at the same time the beam is moved along the adjacent trajectories at a speed which is less than or equal to 2000 mm / s, preferably less than or equal to 1900 mm / s, particularly preferably less than or equal to 1800 mm / s and / or greater than or equal to 1200 mm / s, preferably greater than or equal to 1350 mm / s, particularly preferably 1500 mm / s.

[0052] The inventors also determined that for low strength (high elasticity) or high elongation at break of the material of the manufactured object, a low movement speed and a large distance between the trajectories must be chosen.

[0053] The inventors were further able to determine that with certain ratios for certain combinations of movement speed v and distance between adjacent trajectories, especially in connection with other #process parameters#, for example the radiation power in the beam and / or the #shape of the laser beam# and / or the layer thickness, it can be ensured that the porosity can be kept below a certain limit or that a sufficient density of the object can be achieved.

[0054] The radiation power in the beam refers to the total power transported by the beam to the building material.

[0055] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 The term "shape" or "pattern" of a laser beam refers here to a beam profile that reflects the distribution of radiation intensity within the beam's impact area. Essentially, a distinction can be made between a Gaussian shape (or Gaussian profile), a ring shape (or "donut" shape), and a "center ring" shape (or center ring shape). A combination of a Gaussian profile with a surrounding ring would be an example of such a "center ring" shape. While the intensity distribution is obvious in a Gaussian profile, in a ring profile the radiation power is essentially concentrated in a ring-shaped area. In a "center ring" shape, the radiation power is concentrated in a central area and a surrounding ring.It should also be noted that in practice, with a "donut" or ring shape, residual radiation intensity can also reach the area enclosed by the ring. Similarly, with a central ring shape, residual radiation intensity can also reach the area between the central area and the ring.

[0056] It is preferably specified that the laser beam has a "center ring" shape. In this case, there are several different preferred embodiments:

[0057] In a first preferred embodiment, the maximum diameter of the laser beam, i.e., the outer diameter of the ring, is less than or equal to 280 pm and / or greater than or equal to 220 pm. The following design parameters are further preferably specified:

[0058] • a beam power of less than or equal to 1200 W, particularly preferably less than or equal to 800 W and / or greater than or equal to 300 W, preferably greater than or equal to 600 W; and / or

[0059] • a movement speed of less than or equal to 2400 mm / s, particularly preferably less than or equal to 2000 mm / s and / or greater than or equal to 900 mm / s, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 1600 mm / s; and / or

[0060] • a distance between adjacent trajectories of less than or equal to 200 pm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 120 pm and / or greater than or equal to 70 pm, preferably greater than or equal to 100 pm; and / or

[0061] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 • a layer thickness less than or equal to 100 pm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 80 pm and / or greater than or equal to 25 pm, preferably greater than or equal to 60 pm.

[0062] In a second preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the ring is less than or equal to 150 pm, more preferably less than or equal to 130 pm, more preferably less than or equal to 115 pm, and / or the inner diameter of the ring is greater than or equal to 105 pm. Preferably, the diameter of the central region is less than or equal to 80 pm, more preferably less than or equal to 90 pm, more preferably less than or equal to 100 pm, and in any case less than or equal to 105 pm. The distribution of the radiation intensity in the beam is preferably specified such that at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, and / or at most 85%, more preferably at most 75%, and more preferably at most 70%, are attributable to the central region. Accordingly, at least 15%, more preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 30%, and / or at most 50%, more preferably at most 40%, and more preferably at most 35%, of the radiation intensity is then attributable to the ring.With such a specified distribution of radiation intensity, the following construction parameters are preferably specified:

[0063] • A beam radiant power of at least 600 W, preferably at least 700 W, particularly preferably at least 750 W and / or at most 1000 W, preferably at most 900 W, particularly preferably at most 850 W; and / or

[0064] • a distance between adjacent trajectories of at least 155 pm, preferably at least 175 pm, particularly preferably at least 185 pm and / or of at most 210 pm, preferably at most 200 pm, particularly preferably at most 195 pm; and / or

[0065] • a movement speed of at least 1600 mm / s, preferably at least 2000 mm / s, particularly preferably at least 2300 mm / s and / or at most 2400 mm / s, preferably at most 2375 mm / s, particularly preferably at most 2350 mm / s.

[0066] In a third preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the ring is less than or equal to 160 pm, preferably less than or equal to 140 pm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 125 pm, and / or the inner diameter of the ring is greater than or equal to 110 pm, preferably greater than or equal to 105 pm. The

[0067] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 Diameter of the central region greater than or equal to 80 pm, preferably greater than or equal to 90 pm, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 100 pm and / or less than or equal to 110 pm, preferably less than or equal to 105 pm. The distribution of the radiation intensity in the beam is preferably specified such that at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, particularly preferably at least 45% and / or at most 70%, preferably at most 60%, particularly preferably at most 55% of the radiation intensity is attributable to the central region. Accordingly, at least 30%, preferably at least 35%, particularly preferably at least 60% and / or at most 70%, preferably at most 60%, particularly preferably at most 55% of the radiation power is then attributable to the ring. With such a specified distribution of radiation intensity, the following construction parameters are preferably further specified:

[0068] • A beam radiant power of at least 600 W, preferably at least 700 W, particularly preferably at least 750 W and / or at most 1000 W, preferably at most 900 W, particularly preferably at most 850 W; and / or

[0069] • a distance between adjacent trajectories of at least 145 pm, preferably at least 155 pm, particularly preferably at least 175 pm and / or of at most 220 pm, preferably at most 210 pm, particularly preferably at most 205 pm; and / or

[0070] • a movement speed of at least 1200 mm / s, preferably at least 1500 mm / s, particularly preferably at least 1700 mm / s and / or at most 2500 mm / s, preferably at most 2475 mm / s, particularly preferably at most 2450 mm / s.

[0071] In a fourth preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the ring is less than or equal to 170 pm, preferably less than or equal to 150 pm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 130 pm, and / or the inner diameter of the ring is greater than or equal to 110 pm, preferably greater than or equal to 115 pm, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 120 pm. Furthermore, the diameter of the central region is greater than or equal to 80 pm, preferably greater than or equal to 90 pm, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 100 pm, and / or less than or equal to 110 pm, preferably less than or equal to 105 pm. The distribution of the radiation intensity in the beam is preferably specified such that at least 70% is directed to the central region.

[0072] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 preferably at least 80%, particularly preferably at least 85% and / or at most 90%, preferably at most 95%, particularly preferably at most 99% of the radiation intensity is distributed. Accordingly, at least 1%, preferably at least 5%, particularly preferably at least 10% and / or at most 30%, preferably at most 20%, particularly preferably at most 15% of the radiation intensity is distributed to the ring. With such a specified distribution of radiation intensity in the beam, the following construction parameters are preferably further specified:

[0073] • A beam radiant power of at least 350 W, preferably at least 375 W, particularly preferably at least 390 W and / or of at most 450 W, preferably at most 425 W, particularly preferably at most 410 W; and / or

[0074] • a movement speed of at least 900 mm / s, preferably at least 975 mm / s, particularly preferably at least 1000 mm / s and / or at most 1600 mm / s, preferably at most 1500 mm / s, particularly preferably at most 1400 mm / s; and / or

[0075] • a distance between adjacent trajectories of at least 60 pm, preferably at least 70 pm, particularly preferably at least 85 pm and / or at most 110 pm, particularly preferably at most 100 pm, particularly preferably at least 95 pm.

[0076] In this design variant, a crack density of the object of less than 0.0005 mm / mm is advantageously achievable. 2This can be achieved. A particularly advantageous result is a low crack density in the object when using nickel superalloys, for example, "CM 247 LC" and / or "MAR M 247". Processes according to this design variant are also advantageous for other materials, for example, steel and / or iron and / or titanium and / or chromium and / or copper and / or cobalt and / or silicon and / or aluminum and / or manganese-containing materials, in particular "AISiLMg" and / or "Inconel" or "Inconel718".

[0077] In a fifth preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the ring is less than or equal to 170 pm, preferably less than or equal to 150 mm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 130 pm and / or the inner diameter of the ring is greater than or equal to 110 pm, preferably greater than or equal to 115 pm, particularly

[0078] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 preferably greater than or equal to 120 pm. Furthermore, the diameter of the central region is greater than or equal to 80 pm, preferably greater than or equal to 90 pm, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 100 pm and / or less than or equal to 110 pm, preferably less than or equal to 105 pm. The distribution of the radiation intensity in the beam is preferably specified such that at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, particularly preferably at least 85% and / or at most 90%, preferably at most 95%, particularly preferably at most 99% of the radiation intensity is attributable to the central region. Accordingly, at least 1%, preferably at least 5%, particularly preferably at least 10% and / or at most 30%, preferably at most 20%, particularly preferably at most 15% of the radiation intensity is attributable to the ring. With such a distribution of the radiation intensity in the beam, the following construction parameters are preferably further specified:

[0079] • A beam radiant power of at least 600 W, preferably at least 700 W, particularly preferably at least 750 W and / or at most 1000 W, preferably at most 900 W, particularly preferably at most 850 W; and / or

[0080] • a distance between adjacent trajectories of at least 125 pm, preferably at least 135 pm, particularly preferably at least 140 pm and / or of at most 240 pm, preferably at most 230 pm, particularly preferably at most 225 pm; and / or

[0081] • a movement speed of at least 1000 mm / s, preferably at least 1200 mm / s, particularly preferably at least 1500 mm / s and / or at most 2700 mm / s, preferably at most 2575 mm / s, particularly preferably at most 2500 mm / s.

[0082] With the above-described design variants, a relative density of the object exceeding 99% can advantageously be achieved. Particularly advantageous with the above-described design variants is the high density or low porosity of the object when using nickel-based alloys, for example, "Inconel," especially "Inconel718." Processes according to the above-described design variants are also advantageous for other materials, for example, steel and / or iron and / or titanium and / or chromium and / or copper and / or cobalt and / or silicon and / or aluminum and / or manganese-containing materials, especially "AISiLMg" and / or "CM247LC" and / or "MAR M247."

[0083] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 Preferably, an angle between adjacent trajectories is greater than 90°, more preferably greater than 120°, and less than or equal to 180°.

[0084] The angle between two adjacent trajectories is defined such that its magnitude is determined not only by the position of the trajectories in the plane of the construction, but also by the direction of movement of the beam along the two trajectories. In other words, the angle corresponds to the angle by which the direction of movement must be rotated after scanning one trajectory in order to scan the other. Two parallel trajectories scanned in opposite directions thus have an angle of 180° to each other. If they were scanned in the same direction in the plane, the angle would be 0°.

[0085] Although the trajectories are generally essentially parallel to each other, corresponding to the hatch lines shown in Fig. 8, there are special cases where the angle is less than 180°, i.e., closer to 120° or even 90° than to 180°. Since the trajectories are not parallel in the latter case, energy is not supplied to the build material homogeneously. However, this is harmless, for example, with thin walls that are scanned along the wall's length. The non-parallelism reduces the scanning time for a section to be hatched. Angles between 90° and 180° are also conceivable for trajectories that run along or parallel to the contour of an object, for example, in so-called "onion hatching."

[0086] Preferably, the data model is a data model of an area to be solidified, which has an interior area that is assigned to the interior of a cross-section of the object, and an edge area that is assigned to the edge of a cross-section of the object, wherein a number of edge trajectories are specified for the solidification of the edge area and a plurality of trajectories are specified for the solidification of the interior area.

[0087] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 The edge region is that part of a cross-sectional area of ​​the build-up material layer that borders the edge of this area. The trajectories used to solidify the edge region (also referred to as the contour region) generally run along an edge (a contour) or a segment thereof, in particular parallel to the edge (of the contour) or a segment thereof. These are trajectories that do not differ from other trajectories and are only specifically designated as edge trajectories due to their location at the edge.

[0088] It is further preferred that the scanning of the trajectories in the interior area only takes place after the scanning of the number of boundary trajectories in the boundary area.

[0089] The described procedure makes it possible to minimize so-called denudation effects. "Denudation" here refers to the phenomenon of unsolidified build material being (undesirably) drawn into the melt pool. This can occur particularly at the beginning of the exposure of a layer, i.e., immediately after a fresh layer of build material has been applied. The reason is that when the radiation first strikes the layer, the beam is surrounded by a large amount of unsolidified build material, which is effectively drawn into the melt pool. This leads to a raised area of ​​the solidified layer at that point and, at adjacent areas exposed to the beam at a later time, to a deficiency of build material (since it was previously drawn away) and a depression.Overall, this results in an inhomogeneous thickness of the solidified layer, which reduces the precision with which geometric details of the object can be produced (or rather, the level of detail).

[0090] The effect can be observed not only at the point where a layer is first exposed, but also at other points on the layer, depending on how much unsolidified build-up material surrounds the point of impact of the radiation on the layer. Aside from deficiencies in detail fidelity, the existence of peaks in themselves can also lead to problems, since...

[0091] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 next order of a build-up material layer of the coater may encounter such protrusions, resulting in a process termination.

[0092] By first solidifying the contour (the edge area) of the object's cross-section, it is ensured that the amount of solidified build-up material is limited to that build-up material which is actually present inside the object's cross-section (i.e. within the area of ​​the build-up material layer assigned to the object's cross-section).

[0093] The procedure specified here allows denudation effects and unwanted overhangs to be easily avoided without the need for complex adjustments to exposure parameters (e.g., reducing the laser power) to limit the amount of melted build-up material (and thus overhangs). This approach can therefore reduce the required manufacturing time for an object.

[0094] It is further preferred that a number of boundary trajectories be specified for the consolidation of the boundary area.

[0095] By consolidating the material along a number of edge trajectories, the undesirable melting of buildup material originating from the area outside the cross-section can be particularly effectively avoided. Preferably, one edge trajectory is specified for consolidating the edge region. It is also possible to specify a plurality of edge trajectories for consolidating the edge region, running concurrently along the edge. In particular, the exact number of edge trajectories can depend on whether unconsolidated buildup material is present below the edge region in one of n preceding layers, where n is a natural number greater than 0 and less than 10, preferably less than 5, and even more preferably less than 2. Such edge regions are subsequently also referred to as DownSkin edge regions or DownSkin contours.Similarly, the exact number of edge trajectories can depend on whether unconsolidated structural material is present above the edge region in one of the n subsequent layers.

[0096] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025, where n is a natural number greater than 0 and less than 10, preferably less than 5, and even more preferably less than 2. Such boundary regions are hereinafter also referred to as UpSkin boundary regions or UpSkin contours.

[0097] In particular, the exact number of edge trajectories for edge hardening can be made dependent on the angle that a bottom or top surface of the object makes in the build space relative to the plane of the build material layers. In this case, the aforementioned DownSkin and UpSkin contours in successive layers (often also immediately successive layers) are laterally offset from each other. Preferably, for a manufacturing process or for similar manufacturing processes (the same applies to a build operation, e.g., for the production of a component or a component section, or for similar build operations within a manufacturing process), a larger number of edge trajectories is specified the smaller the angle. For example, a number of at least 1 and at most 5 edge trajectories can be specified for edge hardening if the angle is greater than or equal to 40°.A minimum of 2 and a maximum of 10 boundary trajectories can be specified, for example, if the angle is greater than or equal to 20° and less than 40°. For angles less than 20°, a minimum of three and a maximum of 20 boundary trajectories can be specified. With an even larger number of boundary trajectories, angles down to 5°, and possibly even down to 2°, can be achieved. For example, a minimum of three and a maximum of 30 boundary trajectories can be specified if the angle is less than 5°, and possibly less than 2°. The number of boundary trajectories specified can depend, for example, on the requirements of the component (elongation at break, strength, elasticity) and / or on boundary conditions in the manufacturing process (temperature, build rate, layer thickness).

[0098] It is also possible that the number of edge trajectories, i.e., the width of the edge region along the edge of an object's cross-section, varies. In particular, the number of edge trajectories, i.e., the width of the edge region at a point on the edge, can be made dependent on the angle that a bottom or top surface of the object locally forms in the build space relative to the plane of the

[0099] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 occupies layers of the component material. For example, a sub-area of ​​the edge region where the angle is greater than 40°, e.g., if the side wall of the object is almost perpendicular to the component layers in this sub-area, could be scanned with only one edge trajectory, while a sub-area of ​​the edge region at another point in the object cross-section where the angle is less than 40° could be scanned with multiple edge trajectories, e.g., two edge trajectories for an angle greater than 20° and less than or equal to 40°, and three edge trajectories for an angle greater than 10° and less than or equal to 20°.

[0100] In DownSkin marginal areas, outer marginal trajectories are preferentially scanned before inner marginal trajectories, and in UpSkin marginal areas, inner marginal trajectories are scanned before outer marginal trajectories.

[0101] It is further preferred that for the solidification of the edge region a plurality of edge trajectories are specified which run side by side along the edge, wherein the plurality of edge trajectories are specified such that a distance between adjacent edge trajectories is always greater than or equal to 10 pm and / or less than or equal to 200 pm and at the same time the beam is moved along the adjacent edge trajectories at a speed that is greater than or equal to 350 mm / s and / or less than or equal to 2000 mm / s.

[0102] Therefore, in the boundary region, the coordinated value ranges specified above for the speed of the beam's movement in the construction plane and the distance from neighboring trajectories are preferably limited in the manner mentioned.

[0103] Preferably, the distance between adjacent trajectories is always greater than or equal to 10 pm and / or less than or equal to 200 pm, more preferably greater than or equal to 15 pm and / or less than or equal to 100 pm, more preferably greater than or equal to 20 pm and / or less than or equal to 60 pm, while a speed is specified for the movement of the beam along the adjacent boundary trajectories which is greater than or equal to 300 mm / s, more preferably greater than or equal to 400 mm / s, more preferably

[0104] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 preferably greater than or equal to 500 mm / s, and / or less than or equal to 2000 mm / s, preferably less than or equal to 1500 mm / s, particularly preferably less than or equal to 1000 mm / s.

[0105] It is preferred that for a boundary trajectory that has a greater distance to the boundary than a boundary trajectory adjacent to it, a different, preferably lower, beam energy density is specified than for the adjacent boundary trajectory.

[0106] The inventors were able to determine that by strengthening the edge area with a plurality of edge trajectories, the crack density in the object can be reduced or kept below a certain limit.

[0107] Preferably, the boundary region is reinforced with at least two, and particularly preferably at least three, boundary trajectories. More preferably, a Gaussian distribution of the radiation intensity in the beam is specified for the reinforcement of the boundary trajectories in the boundary region. Even more preferably, the following parameters are specified for the reinforcement of the boundary trajectories in the boundary region:

[0108] • A beam power of at least 400 W, preferably at least 425 W, particularly preferably at least 440 W and / or at most 480 W, preferably at most 470 W, particularly preferably at most 460 W, in conjunction with a movement speed of at least 1000 mm / s, preferably at least 1050 mm / s, particularly preferably at least 1100 mm / s and / or of at most 2000 mm / s, preferably at most 1600 mm / s, particularly preferably at most 1200 mm / s; and / or

[0109] • a beam radiant power of at least 330 W, preferably at least 340 W, particularly preferably at least 350 W and / or at most 440 W, preferably at most 425 W, particularly preferably at most 400 W, in conjunction with a distance between adjacent edge trajectories of at least 72 pm, preferably at least 90 pm, particularly preferably at least 98 pm and / or at most 120 pm, preferably at most 110 pm, particularly preferably at most 100 pm; and / or

[0110] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 • a beam radiant power of at least 350 W, preferably at least 375 W, particularly preferably at least 390 W, and / or at most 450 W, preferably at most 425 W, particularly preferably at most 410 W in connection with a movement speed of at least 950 mm / s, preferably at least 975 mm / s, particularly preferably at least 1000 mm / s and / or of at most 1550 mm / s, preferably of at most 1300 mm / s, particularly preferably of at most 1100 mm / s and further in connection with a distance between adjacent edge trajectories of at least 96 pm, preferably at least 102 pm, particularly preferably at least 108 pm.

[0111] Particularly preferred for inner areas of the object (also called "I n Fi II"), i.e. areas where no unconsolidated building material is present in any of the n preceding or subsequent layers, where n is a natural number greater than 0 and less than 10, preferably less than 5, even more preferably less than 2, the following construction parameters are specified:

[0112] • an "inverse donut" shape of the beam, wherein the outer diameter of the ring is less than or equal to 280 pm and / or greater than or equal to 220 pm; and / or

[0113] • a beam radiant power of at least 350 W, preferably at least 375 W, particularly preferably at least 390 W and / or of at most 450 W, preferably at most 425 W, particularly preferably at most 410 W; and / or

[0114] • a movement speed of at least 1000 mm / s, preferably at least 1175 mm / s, particularly preferably at least 1125 mm / s and / or at most 1600 mm / s, preferably at most 1500 mm / s, particularly preferably at most 1400 mm / s; and / or

[0115] • a distance between adjacent trajectories of at least 75 pm, preferably at least 85 pm, particularly preferably at least 88 pm and / or at most 105 pm, particularly preferably at most 95 pm, particularly preferably at least 92 pm.

[0116] Furthermore, a layer thickness of at least 20 pm, preferably at least 25 pm, is particularly preferred in connection with the construction parameters disclosed above.

[0117] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025, particularly preferably at least 28 pm and / or at most 50 pm, preferably at most 45 pm, particularly preferably at most 42 pm.

[0118] A crack density of less than 0.1 mm / mm is advantageous. 2% achieved in the edge region. A particularly advantageous low crack density in the object is achieved when using nickel superalloys, for example "CM 247 LC" and / or "MAR M 247". Processes according to the embodiment just described are also advantageous for other materials, for example steel and / or iron and / or titanium and / or chromium and / or copper and / or cobalt and / or silicon and / or aluminum and / or manganese-containing materials, in particular "AISiLMg" and / or "Inconel" or "Inconel718".

[0119] The modification of the beam energy density for adjacent edge trajectories that have different distances from the edge of the object cross-section can depend on whether the (partial) edge region(s) is an UpSkin or DownSkin edge region as described above, or an edge region above and below which no unsolidified build-up material is present in any of the n preceding and n subsequent layers, where n is a natural number greater than 0 and less than 10, preferably less than 5, and more preferably less than 2. The latter edge region is also referred to as the "infill" edge region. In particular, for UpSkin and DownSkin edge regions, a lower beam energy density can be specified for scanning edge trajectories that have a greater distance from the edge than adjacent edge trajectories than for the adjacent edge trajectories.In contrast, for In Fi II boundary regions, a higher beam energy density can be specified for scanning boundary trajectories that are further away from the boundary than neighboring boundary trajectories than for the neighboring boundary trajectories.

[0120] The radiation energy density, hereinafter referred to as EB, is defined by the relationship (1 )

[0121] EB = PL / V (1 ).

[0122] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 Here, PL denotes the laser power and v the speed of the beam's movement (i.e., the beam's impact area in the build plane) along a trajectory. The definition of beam energy density is identical to the definition of another quantity known in the field of welding, namely line energy.

[0123] Since the speed of a digitally controlled beam deflection device can only change in steps whose length is determined by the time interval (e.g., 10 s), a beam energy density, defined similarly to the line energy, can also be visualized as energy transferred along a path into the build material, which the beam travels within the build plane within the time interval or within a multiple of the time interval. Strictly speaking, the beam energy density defined in this way is a line density, and it has the unit [J / mm²].

[0124] Alternatively, the radiation energy density can also be defined as the energy density EBF per unit area:

[0125] EBF = P L / (vd) (2).

[0126] Here, d denotes the distance between two adjacent boundary trajectories. The presence of d in the formula can be explained by the fact that the beam width essentially corresponds to d, or at least is correlated with d. Thus, the beam energy density EBF is the energy that is transferred into the build material within a time interval or within a multiple of a time interval over an area swept by the radiation within that time interval. Since d generally does not change during a change in beam power (e.g., laser power) and movement speed, the beam energy density EBF, defined with respect to the area, varies in the same way as the beam energy density EB when the beam power (e.g., laser power) and movement speed are changed.

[0127] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 Since, strictly speaking, it depends on the energy introduced into the build-up material per unit volume, the beam energy density can also be defined in relation to the volume as follows:

[0128] EßV= PL / (v ■ d ■ dlayer) (3).

[0129] Here, diayer refers to the thickness of the uppermost build-up material layer, which roughly approximates the depth of the melt pool. Since diayer generally does not change during variations in beam power (e.g., laser power) and motion speed, the beam energy density EBV, defined per unit volume, varies in the same way as the beam energy densities EB and EBF.

[0130] The marginal trajectory and the marginal trajectory adjacent to it are further preferred, as are the marginal trajectories closest to the edge.

[0131] The scanning of the edge trajectories can take place before ("pre-contour") or after ("post-contour") the scanning of the interior area. The interior area is considered to be the entire area of ​​the cross-section that lies within the edge region.

[0132] Preferably, it is specified that the scanning of the interior begins with the scanning of a trajectory at the point of the trajectory that borders a boundary trajectory.

[0133] The described procedure results in a particularly low amount of unsolidified build-up material being drawn into the melt pool in specific locations. This is because the scanning of an interior trajectory does not begin at a point where the beam impact area is completely surrounded by unsolidified build-up material, but rather adjacent to a boundary trajectory along which solidified build-up material is already present.

[0134] It is further preferably specified that when scanning the edge trajectories, the scanning of the edge region preferably follows the scanning of the interior region.

[0135] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025, at least one edge trajectory in the edge area is scanned again at at least one point that has already been scanned with a trajectory in the interior area.

[0136] In an additive manufacturing process according to the invention for producing a three-dimensional object, wherein the object is produced by means of an additive manufacturing device by applying a build material layer upon layer and solidifying the build material in a build plane by supplying radiant energy to locations in each layer that correspond to the cross-section of the object in that layer, by scanning these locations with at least one beam according to a set of energy input parameter values ​​to effect a sintering or melting process along a plurality of trajectories, the process of the additive manufacturing process is controlled by a control data set that was generated using a control data provision method according to the invention.

[0137] If control data provided according to the invention are used in a control data set that has been generated for the control of an additive manufacturing process, in particular the control of a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process, such as a layer-by-layer powder melting or sintering process, such as SLS or DMLS or SLM, then the component quality of the object can be improved.

[0138] The invention is particularly advantageous in additive manufacturing processes where the depth of the melt pool, generated by an impacting jet in the build-up material, is greater than twice the thickness of a build-up material layer, preferably greater than three times the thickness of a build-up material layer. This condition is met, for example, when melting metal powder by means of deep penetration welding (keyhole welding).

[0139] An inventive device for providing control data for an additive manufacturing device for producing a three-dimensional object, wherein the object is produced by means of the additive manufacturing device by applying a build material in a build plane by supplying radiant energy to

[0140] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 A device that scans locations in each layer, corresponding to the cross-section of the object in that layer, with at least one beam according to a set of energy input parameter values ​​to effect a sintering or melting process along a number of trajectories, comprises: a data access unit designed to access computer-based model data of at least one section of the object to be manufactured; a data model generation unit designed to generate at least one data model of an area of ​​a build-up material layer to be solidified for the production of the at least one object section, corresponding to an area of ​​a cross-section of the object, wherein motion vectors of the at least one beam in the build plane are specified in the data model for scanning locations of the area to be solidified along a plurality of trajectories.wherein the beam is moved along a trajectory without interrupting the supply of radiant energy to the layer, wherein the trajectories are specified such that a distance between adjacent trajectories is always greater than or equal to 5 pm and / or less than or equal to 350 pm, and simultaneously the beam is moved along the adjacent trajectories at a speed greater than or equal to 200 mm / s and / or less than or equal to 3500 mm / s, and a control data provisioning unit designed to provide control data according to the at least one data model generated by the data model generation unit for the generation of a control data set for the additive manufacturing device.

[0141] The provision of the data model generated in the second step for the generation of a control data record can be performed by the control data provisioning unit itself, by integrating the generated data model into a control data record for the additive manufacturing device. Provisioning also includes forwarding the data model to a data processing device, which integrates the data model into a control data record, or forwarding it directly to an additive manufacturing device. In particular, it is possible to dynamically generate data models for further processing during a manufacturing process in the additive manufacturing device.

[0142] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 to provide object cross-sections to be produced. In particular, data models generated in the second step do not need to be provided individually for an additive manufacturing process. Rather, several generated data models can first be collected and then provided in their entirety for integration into a control data set.

[0143] In particular, the device for providing control data can also be integrated into an additive manufacturing device and interact with a control unit in the additive manufacturing device.

[0144] An inventive device for computer-aided control of a number of energy input devices of an additive manufacturing device for producing a three-dimensional object by means of the same, wherein the object is produced by means of the additive manufacturing device by applying a build material layer upon layer and solidifying the build material in a build plane by supplying radiant energy to locations in each layer that correspond to the cross-section of the object in that layer, by scanning these locations with at least one beam according to a set of energy input parameter values ​​to effect a sintering or melting process along a plurality of trajectories, is designed such that solidification of the build material is specified by scanning locations of the area to be solidified along a plurality of trajectories.along which the beam is moved without interrupting the supply of radiant energy to the layer, the trajectories being specified such that a distance between adjacent trajectories is always greater than or equal to 5 pm and / or less than or equal to 350 pm, and at the same time the beam is moved along the adjacent trajectories at a speed greater than or equal to 350 mm / s and / or less than or equal to 3500 mm / s.

[0145] The device for computer-aided control of a number of energy input devices can be implemented solely by means of software components, by means of a mixture of hardware and software components, or even solely by means of

[0146] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 Hardware components are implemented. A device implemented solely by means of software components can interact with, or be integrated into, a control unit in an additive manufacturing device for the production of a three-dimensional object. The device for computer-aided control of a number of energy input devices can improve the component homogeneity of objects produced by an additive manufacturing process. In particular, the device can implement the production of objects by an additive manufacturing process based on a control data set generated by a control data provision method according to the invention.

[0147] An additive manufacturing device according to the invention for producing a three-dimensional object, wherein the object is produced in the additive manufacturing device by applying a build material layer upon layer and solidifying the build material in a build plane by supplying radiant energy to locations in each layer that correspond to the cross-section of the object in that layer, by scanning these locations with at least one beam according to a set of energy input parameter values ​​to effect a sintering or melting process along a plurality of trajectories, comprises: a layer application device suitable for applying a layer of a build material to an existing, preferably selectively solidified, build material layer, and an energy input device suitable for supplying radiant energy to locations corresponding to the cross-section of the object in a layer.by scanning these points with at least one beam beam according to a set of energy input parameter values ​​along a plurality of trajectories, wherein the additive manufacturing device comprises a device according to the invention for computer-aided control of a number of energy input devices and / or is connected to a device according to the invention for computer-aided control of a number of energy input devices via a signal connection.

[0148] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 An energy input device may comprise a number of radiation sources for generating radiation, e.g., electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, as well as an associated number of beam deflection or redirection devices for directing the radiation onto the build material. The radiation sources may be, for example, one or more gas or solid-state lasers or any other type of laser, such as laser diodes.

[0149] A computer program according to the invention comprises program code means to execute all steps of a method according to the invention for providing control data or of an additive manufacturing process according to the invention when the computer program is executed by means of a data processor, in particular a data processor cooperating with an additive manufacturing device.

[0150] "Interaction" here means that the data processor is either integrated into the additive manufacturing device or can exchange data with it. The implementation of the inventive method for providing control data and the associated device by means of software enables easy installation on various computer systems at different locations (for example, at the user who designed the object or at the operator of the additive manufacturing device).

[0151] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0152] Fig. 1 shows a schematic, partially sectioned view of an exemplary device for the additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0153] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a procedure according to a first embodiment.

[0154] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 Fig. 3 is a diagram to illustrate the procedure according to a first embodiment.

[0155] Fig. 4 schematically shows a procedure according to a second embodiment.

[0156] Fig. 5 schematically shows a section through a part of an object during its manufacture to illustrate the different areas of an object's cross-section.

[0157] Fig. 6 illustrates the process of providing tax data,

[0158] Fig. 7 shows the schematic structure of a device for providing control data,

[0159] Fig. 8 shows a procedure known to the applicant for scanning an object cross-section with energy radiation,

[0160] Fig. 9 serves to further explain the procedure shown in Fig. 8.

[0161] Fig. 10 shows an exemplary beam shape that can be used in the process according to the invention.

[0162] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating the procedure according to a further embodiment.

[0163] For a description of the invention, an additive manufacturing device according to the invention will first be described below using the example of a laser sintering or melting device with reference to Fig. 1.

[0164] To build an object 2, the laser sintering or laser melting device 1 contains a process chamber or build chamber 3 with a chamber wall 4. In the

[0165] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 Process chamber 3 is a top-opening construction container 5 with a container wall 6. A working level 7 (also called construction level) is defined by the top opening of the construction container 5, wherein the area of ​​the working level 7 lying within the opening, which can be used for the construction of the object 2, is referred to as the construction area 8.

[0166] Inside the build container 5, a support 10, movable in a vertical direction V, is arranged. A base plate 11 is attached to the support plate, forming the bottom of the container 5. The base plate 11 can be a separate plate attached to the support 10, or it can be integral with the support 10. Depending on the powder used and the process, a build platform 12 can be attached to the base plate 11 as a base on which the object 2 is built. Alternatively, the object 2 can be built directly on the base plate 11, which then serves as the build platform. In Fig. 1, the object 2 to be formed in the container 5 on the build platform 12 is shown in an intermediate state below the working plane 7, with several solidified layers surrounded by unsolidified build material 13.

[0167] The laser sintering or melting device 1 further includes a storage container 14 for a build material 15, in this example a powder that can be solidified by electromagnetic radiation, and a recoater 16 movable in a horizontal direction H for applying the build material 15 within the build area 8. Optionally, a heating device, e.g., a radiant heater 17, can be arranged in the process chamber 3 to heat the applied build material. An infrared radiator, for example, can be provided as the radiant heater 17.

[0168] The exemplary additive manufacturing device 1 further comprises an energy input device 20 with a laser 21, which generates a laser beam 22, and a deflecting device or beam deflection device 23, for example one or more galvanometer mirrors with associated drive, which deflects or redirects the laser beam 22. The laser beam is then focused by a focusing device 24.

[0169] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 focused on the build plane 7 by a coupling window 25, which is attached to the top of the process chamber 3 in the chamber wall 4.

[0170] In laser sintering or laser melting, an energy input device can, for example, comprise one or more gas or solid-state lasers or any other type of laser, such as laser diodes. The specific setup of a laser sintering or melting device shown in Fig. 1 is therefore only exemplary for the present invention and can, of course, be modified, particularly when using a different energy input device than the one shown.

[0171] The laser sintering device 1 further includes a control unit 29, which controls the individual components of the device 1 in a coordinated manner to carry out the build process. Alternatively, the control unit 29 can also be located partially or completely outside the additive manufacturing device. The control unit can include a CPU whose operation is controlled by a computer program (software). The computer program can be stored separately from the additive manufacturing device in a storage device, from where it can be loaded (e.g., via a network) into the additive manufacturing device, in particular into the control unit.

[0172] During operation, the control unit 29 lowers the carrier 10 layer by layer, the coater 16 is controlled to apply a new powder layer, and the deflection device 23 and, if necessary, the laser 21 and / or the focusing device 24 are controlled to solidify the respective layer at the locations corresponding to the respective object by means of the laser by scanning these locations with the laser.

[0173] All statements made below apply not only to laser sintering or melting devices, but also to other types of additive manufacturing devices in which heat energy is introduced into the build material by means of radiation.

[0174] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 In the additive manufacturing device just described as an example, a manufacturing process takes place in such a way that the control unit 29 processes a control data set.

[0175] The control data set specifies to an energy input device, in the case of the laser sintering or laser melting device described above, in particular the deflection device 23, at each point during the solidification process, which point on the working plane 7 the radiation is to be directed. As shown in Fig. 7, a device 100 for providing control data to an additive manufacturing device comprises a data access unit 101, a data model generation unit 102, and a control data provision unit 103. The operation of the device 100 for providing control data is described by way of example with reference to Fig. 6.

[0176] In the device 100 shown in Fig. 7 for providing control data for an additive manufacturing device, the data access unit 101 first accesses a number, i.e., one or more, of layer data sets, each of which contains a data model of an area of ​​a build-up material layer to be selectively solidified during manufacturing, preferably the entire area of ​​a build-up material layer to be solidified, which corresponds to a cross-section of an object section. In the process sequence shown in Fig. 6, this is the first step S1.

[0177] In the second step S2 shown in Fig. 6, the data model generation unit 102 specifies in at least one data model of at least one object section a solidification of locations of a build-up material layer in a temporal sequence that corresponds to the movement of a beam of light along a trajectory over the build-up material. In particular, the movement along trajectories 54 shown in Fig. 8 is defined in an interior region 52 of an object cross-section 50, especially in a sub-region 53 of the interior region 52, i.e., for example, a strip.

[0178] After at least one data model has been generated in the second step S2 in Fig. 6, the control data provision unit shown in Fig. 7 then performs the following functions.

[0179] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 103 Control data is provided for the generation of a control data set (in Fig. 6 this is step S3). Either the data model generated in the second step S2, or at least one of them, can be provided as control information (control data), or the data model can be reformatted into a control data set for better integration. The described procedure can be applied to all trajectories within a strip-shaped or square sub-area.

[0180] In an additive manufacturing process controlled by a control data set generated based on the control data provided in step S3, the build material is then scanned with a beam along trajectories (hereinafter sometimes also referred to as hatch lines) that are essentially parallel to each other, for example to solidify an internal area 52. For this purpose, the control device 29 then controls the deflection device 23 accordingly.

[0181] A procedure according to a first embodiment is explained below with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 schematically shows two adjacent trajectories along which the beam is moved when scanning the build-up material, for example, two of the hatch lines shown in Fig. 8.

[0182] In practice, the area where the laser beam strikes the surface of the build material has a non-zero extent, which is illustrated in Fig. 2 by a circular area 100. Here, the edge of the area of ​​impact is defined such that 99% of the laser beam's radiation power strikes the area lying within the edge.

[0183] Due to the non-zero extent, a beam width b corresponding to the extent of the impact area perpendicular to the trajectory can be assigned to the scanning laser beam. Consequently, the trajectories are spaced apart by an amount d, which is also taken into account in the control data. Although Fig. 2 shows a distance d between the trajectories that is 50% of the beam width b, this does not have to be the case. The distance d can also be

[0184] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 The beam width b must be chosen to be greater or less than 50% of the beam width b. In any case, it is important that after specifying a distance d between the trajectories in a section of the object's cross-section, the beam's velocity v along these trajectories is appropriately adjusted to the distance. In other words, not arbitrary values ​​are possible for either the distance d or the velocity v; rather, the values ​​of both quantities should lie within defined ranges, as illustrated in Fig. 3. For homogeneous mechanical properties within the object, the values ​​for the distance d and the velocity v should preferably fluctuate as little as possible within the object.

[0185] In the diagram of Figure 3, which shows a relationship between the velocity v and the distance d between adjacent trajectories, the checkered rectangle illustrates the defined ranges of values ​​for the distance d and the velocity v. Where the pair of values ​​for distance d and velocity v should preferably lie within the illustrated rectangle depends on the desired mechanical properties of the material of the manufactured object.

[0186] If high strength is desired, which is defined, for example, by the value for tensile strength R mIf the coefficient of friction is above 320 MPa, the elongation at break is low, then the value pair should lie in the right-hatched area shown in the upper left. In other words, the distance between adjacent trajectories should be between 180 pm and 220 pm, and the movement speed should be between 2100 mm / s and 2300 mm / s. Conversely, if high elongation at break or high elasticity is desired, which is defined, for example, by the elongation at break value parallel to layers A25(xy) being above 8% and the elongation at break perpendicular to layers A25(z) being above 5%, and the strength is not as high, then the value pair should lie in the left-hatched area shown in the lower right. In other words, the distance between adjacent trajectories should then be between 220 pm and 270 pm, and the speed of movement should be between 1500 mm / s and 1800 mm / s.

[0187] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 The diagram in Figure 11 again illustrates a relationship between the velocity v and the distance d between adjacent trajectories. The representation in Figure 11 is analogous to that in Figure 3. However, it shows specific ranges of values ​​for the distance d and the velocity v in relation to low crack density and relatively high density (i.e., relatively low porosity). Hatched rectangles illustrate the defined ranges of values ​​for the distance d and the velocity v, similar to Figure 3. The preferred location of the value pair for distance d and velocity v in the diagram in Figure 11 depends on the desired mechanical properties of the material of the manufactured object.

[0188] Is a low crack density desired, for example a crack density below 0.00005 mm / mm 2The value pair should lie within the left-hatched area shown in the lower left. In other words, the distance between adjacent trajectories should be between 70 pm and 100 pm, and the movement speed should be between 1000 mm / s and 2000 mm / s. Such value ranges are advantageous for nickel superalloys, especially "CM 247 CL" and "MAR 247." However, they can also be advantageously used for other materials, such as steel and / or iron and / or titanium and / or chromium and / or copper and / or cobalt and / or silicon and / or aluminum and / or manganese-containing materials, e.g., "AISi Mg" and / or "Inconel" and / or "Inconel 718." If a high crack density is desired, for example, a relative density above 99%, the value pair should lie within the right-hatched area shown in the center.In other words, the distance between adjacent trajectories should then be between 175 pm and 205 pm, and the speed of movement should be between 1700 mm / s and 2500 mm / s. Such value ranges are advantageous for nickel-based alloys, especially "Inconel" and / or "Inconel 718." However, they can also be used for other materials, such as steel and / or iron and / or titanium and / or chromium and / or copper and / or cobalt and / or silicon and / or aluminum and / or manganese-containing materials, for example.

[0189] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 ,AISi10Mg“ and / or nickel-containing materials, e.g. nickel superalloys such as ,CM 247 LC“ and / or “Mar 247”. can be used to advantage.

[0190] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary rectangular cross-section of an object to be manufactured. In this cross-section, the contour area (edge ​​area) 51 is shown disproportionately wide to illustrate that a plurality of trajectories 514i and 514a, in this case referred to as edge trajectories, can also be scanned in the edge area 51, preferably taking into account the above specifications for the distance between adjacent trajectories and the movement speed. The distance between adjacent edge trajectories should preferably be between 60 pm and 100 pm, and the movement speed should be between 300 mm / s and 1000 mm / s.

[0191] In the cross-section of Fig. 4, the two edge trajectories 514i and 514a are scanned first, before the scanning of trajectories 54 in the interior region 52 begins. This prevents unsolidified build-up material present outside the cross-section from interfering with the solidification process in the interior region 52. To ensure that the radiation impact area is surrounded by as little unsolidified build-up material as possible, the solidification of the interior region 52 begins adjacent to the already scanned edge region 51. Accordingly, in Fig. 4, trajectory 541 is scanned first, with the scanning starting in the upper left corner of the interior region 52. In this way, the radiation impact area at the beginning of trajectory 541 borders on two sides on build-up material that has already been melted. The same conditions apply to trajectory 542, which is scanned first in the right-hand subregion 53 of Fig. 4.At the beginning of trajectory 541, the area where the radiation hits also borders on two sides on construction material that has already been melted.

[0192] Edge trajectories 514i and 514a and trajectories 541 in the form of Fig. 4 can also be advantageously used to reduce the crack density in the component or to keep it below a certain limit. In such a procedure, the edge trajectories 514i and 514a are scanned with a Gaussian beam, while the trajectories 541 are scanned with a "donut", "ring" or "center ring", e.g. with

[0193] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 of a beam shape as in Fig. 10, can be scanned. The edge trajectories 514i and 514a can be scanned before ("pre-contour") or after ("post-contour") the scanning of the trajectories 541.

[0194] The number of edge trajectories with which the edge region 51 is to be scanned is preferably made dependent on how close the edge region 51 is to a top or bottom surface of the manufactured object, which is stored in the build space after its production, in particular in unsolidified build material, e.g. in a powder bed. This is explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 5.

[0195] Fig. 5 shows a side view of an object section produced by an additive layering process, similar to the side view of object 2 in Fig. 1. The object section shown in Fig. 5 has seven cross-sections in layers n+1 to n+7, with the arrow on the right of the image indicating the direction in which the object section is built up layer by layer (the "z-direction" when transferring the build volume to a coordinate system). In each layer, region 70, where the build material remains unconsolidated, is shown without infill and with a dashed outline.

[0196] Furthermore, so-called bottom surface areas 62 (often also referred to as downskin areas in technical jargon) can be seen in Fig. 5. These are areas of an object's cross-section that lie above unconsolidated build-up material during object production. The bottom surface areas 62 thus correspond to surface areas of the object that point downwards (towards the support 10) during its production. The bottom surface areas 62 are indicated in Fig. 5 by slashes " / ".

[0197] Fig. 5 also shows regions 61 marked by backslashes "\". These are areas of an object's cross-section that are covered by unconsolidated build-up material immediately after the object's fabrication. Accordingly, the regions 61 are referred to as top-surface areas (often also called upskin areas in technical jargon), since they are

[0198] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 These are surface areas of the object to be manufactured that point upwards (away from the support 10) during its manufacture.

[0199] Finally, Fig. 5 shows regions 63 marked with circles "O". These are areas of an object cross-section above and below which the build-up material is to be solidified, which is why the regions 63 are referred to as sandwich regions or also as "infill" areas.

[0200] It should also be mentioned that Fig. 5 does not explicitly show the contour areas present in the respective object cross-sections.

[0201] In a contour area that is part of a downskin area, there is more unhardened build-up material at the point of impact of the weld bead than, for example, in an infill area. This is because, in a downskin area, the layers below the build-up material layer onto which the weld bead impacts also contain unhardened build-up material. This is particularly relevant when using a metal-containing build-up material and a keyhole welding process.

[0202] Accordingly, different procedures should be chosen for the edge regions, where the build material is melted first within an object's cross-section, depending on their location (downskin, ilpskin, or infill). For example, in downskin and infill edge regions, the outer edge trajectories should be scanned before the inner ones, and in upskin edge regions, the inner edge trajectories should be scanned before the outer ones. The number of edge trajectories used for scanning an edge or contour region is expediently determined by the angle at which the underside (in the case of downskin edge regions) or the top side (in the case of upskin edge regions) of the object forming in the build space is inclined relative to the horizontal (parallel to the build plane). In Fig. 5, this angle, labeled 'a', is shown schematically with respect to the underside.

[0203] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 As mentioned above, only one edge trajectory can be specified for edge hardening if the angle is greater than or equal to 40°. Two edge trajectories can be specified, for example, if the angle is greater than or equal to 20° and less than 40°. For angles less than 20°, three or four edge trajectories can be specified, allowing angles down to 5°, and possibly even down to 2°, to be achieved. The values ​​mentioned apply particularly to downskin edge regions. Depending on the requirements of the component to be manufactured (strength, elongation at break, elasticity) and / or depending on the boundary conditions in the process (process temperature, layer thickness, build rate), an even greater number of edge trajectories can be specified.Preferably, for a construction process or for similar construction processes, a larger number of edge trajectories is specified the smaller the angle between a top surface (upskin edge area) or bottom surface (downskin edge area).

[0204] It should be noted that within a cross-section, the contour area does not necessarily have to be exposed with the same number of adjacent edge trajectories along the entire perimeter of the cross-section. Rather, for example, where the contour area lies within a downskin area, a larger number of edge trajectories can be specified than where the contour area lies within an infill area.

[0205] Furthermore, it is generally advantageous to specify different radiation energy densities for the radiation introduced into the build-up material for the different adjacent boundary trajectories. The radiation energy density is defined as the energy density EBF per unit area, as in equation (2) above.

[0206] EBF = P L / (vd) (2).

[0207] Here, PL denotes the radiated power, v the velocity of motion, and d the distance between two adjacent boundary trajectories.

[0208] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 Preferably, for each pair of adjacent edge trajectories, a different, preferably lower, beam energy density should be specified for the inner trajectory than for the outer trajectory.

[0209] In a downskin area, the following procedure can be used, for example:

[0210] Preferably, for any two adjacent edge trajectories, a lower beam energy density should be specified for the inner trajectory than for the outer trajectory. For aluminum as the build material, for example, a beam energy density between 12 and 18 J / mm² can be specified for the outermost edge trajectory with a hatch spacing of 20 pm. 2 specified and a beam energy density between 8 and 12 J / mm for the second outermost edge trajectory. 2 be specified.

[0211] In an UpSkin area, the following steps can be taken, for example:

[0212] Preferably, for any two adjacent edge trajectories, a lower beam energy density should be specified for the inner trajectory than for the outer trajectory. For aluminum as the build material, for example, a beam energy density between 7 and 12 J / mm² can be specified for the outermost edge trajectory with a hatch spacing of 20 pm. 2specified and a beam energy density between 6 and 10 J / mm for the second outermost edge trajectory. 2 be specified.

[0213] In an InFill area, the following procedure can be used, for example:

[0214] Preferably, for any two adjacent edge trajectories, a lower beam energy density should be specified for the outermost trajectory than for the innermost one. For aluminum as the build material, for example, a beam energy density between 6 and 10 J / mm² can be specified for the outermost edge trajectory with a hatch spacing of 20 pm. 2 specified and a beam energy density between 7 and 12 J / mm for the second outermost edge trajectory. 2 be specified.

[0215] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 Figure 10 shows an exemplary beam shape 1000 that can be used in the process according to the invention. The beam shape has a ring region 1001 and a central region 1002. Such a beam shape is sometimes referred to as a "ring" or "double ring"; in the present application, the term "center ring" is used for this beam shape. The ring region 1001 is characterized by an outer diameter 1010 and an inner diameter 1020. The central region 1002 is characterized by a diameter 1030. The total radiation intensity of the beam shape

[0216] 1000 consists of the sum of the radiation intensities that fall on the ring area

[0217] The total radiation intensity is distributed between the ring area 1001 and the central area 1002. The total radiation intensity can be distributed between the ring area 1001 and the central area 1002 in different ratios. Preferred values ​​for the outer diameter 1010, the inner diameter 1020, and the diameter 1030 were disclosed at the outset with reference to the embodiments of the method according to the invention described above.

[0218] Finally, it should be mentioned that a device 100 according to the invention for providing control data for an additive manufacturing device can be implemented not only by software components, but also by hardware components alone or by a combination of hardware and software. In particular, the interfaces mentioned in the present application do not necessarily have to be designed as hardware components, but can also be implemented as software modules, for example, if the input or output data can be taken over by other components already implemented on the same device, or only need to be transferred to another component via software. Likewise, the interfaces could consist of hardware and software components, such as a standard hardware interface that is specifically configured by software for the particular application.Furthermore, multiple interfaces can also be combined into a common interface, for example an input-output interface.

[0219] EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025

Claims

Patent claims 1. A computer-aided method for providing control data for an additive manufacturing device (1) for producing a three-dimensional object (2), wherein the object is produced by means of the additive manufacturing device by applying a build material layer upon layer and solidifying the build material in a build plane (7) by supplying radiant energy to locations in each layer that correspond to the cross-section of the object in that layer, by scanning these locations with at least one beam (22) according to a set of energy input parameter values ​​to effect a sintering or melting process along a number of trajectories, wherein the method for providing control data comprises: a first step (S1) of accessing computer-based model data of at least one section of the object to be produced,a second step (S2) of generating at least one data model of an area of ​​a build-up material layer to be solidified for the production of at least one object section, which is assigned to an area of ​​a cross-section of the object, wherein motion vectors of the at least one beam in the build plane are specified in the data model for scanning locations of the area to be solidified along a plurality of trajectories, wherein the beam is moved along a trajectory, wherein the trajectories are specified such that a distance between adjacent trajectories is always greater than or equal to 5 pm and / or less than or equal to 350 pm and at the same time the beam is moved along the adjacent trajectories at a speed that is greater than or equal to 300 mm / s and / or less than or equal to 3500 mm / s, and a third step (S3),in which control data, corresponding to the data model generated in the second step (S2), is provided for the generation of a control data set for the additive manufacturing device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein it is specified that the distance between adjacent trajectories is always less than or equal to 260 pm and simultaneously the EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 The beam is moved along the adjacent trajectories at a speed greater than or equal to 1500 mm / s.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein it is specified that the distance between adjacent trajectories is always greater than or equal to 180 pm and simultaneously the beam is moved along the adjacent trajectories at a speed less than or equal to 2000 mm / s.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an angle between adjacent trajectories is greater than 90°, preferably greater than 120°, and less than or equal to 180°.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data model is a data model of an area to be solidified, which has an inner area (52) that is associated with an interior of a cross-section of the object, and an edge area (51) that is associated with an edge of a cross-section of the object, and wherein a number of edge trajectories are specified for the solidification of the edge area and a plurality of trajectories are specified for the solidification of the inner area.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein it is specified that the scanning of the trajectories in the interior area takes place only after the scanning of the number of edge trajectories in the edge area.

7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein for the hardening of the edge region a number of edge trajectories are specified which run side by side along the edge.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a plurality of boundary trajectories is specified such that a distance between adjacent boundary trajectories is always greater than or equal to 10 pm and / or less than or equal to 200 pm, and at the same time the EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 The beam is moved along the adjacent boundary trajectories at a speed greater than or equal to 350 mm / s and / or less than or equal to 2000 mm / s.

9. Method according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein for an edge trajectory that has a greater distance to the edge than an adjacent edge trajectory, a different, preferably lower, beam energy density is specified than for the adjacent edge trajectory.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the boundary trajectory and the boundary trajectory adjacent to it are the boundary trajectories closest to the boundary.

11. Method according to claim one of claims 5 to 10, wherein it is specified that the scanning of the interior begins with the scanning of a trajectory at the point of the trajectory that borders an edge trajectory.

12. Additive manufacturing method for producing a three-dimensional object, wherein the object is produced by means of an additive manufacturing device by applying a build material layer upon layer and solidifying the build material in a build plane (7) by supplying radiant energy to locations in each layer that correspond to the cross-section of the object in that layer, by scanning these locations with at least one beam (22) according to a set of energy input parameter values ​​to effect a sintering or melting process along a plurality of trajectories, wherein the execution of the additive manufacturing method is controlled by a control data set generated using a method according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Device for providing control data for an additive manufacturing device for producing a three-dimensional object, wherein the object is produced by means of the additive manufacturing device by applying a build material in a build plane (7) by supplying radiant energy to locations in each layer that are associated with the cross-section of the object in that layer, by irradiating these locations with at least one beam (22) according to a set of EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 Energy input parameter values ​​are scanned along a number of trajectories to effect a sintering or melting process, the device for providing control data comprising: a data access unit (101) designed to access computer-based model data of at least one section of the object to be manufactured, a data model generation unit (102) designed to generate at least one data model of an area of ​​a build-up material layer to be solidified for the production of the at least one object section, which is associated with an area of ​​a cross-section of the object, wherein motion vectors of the at least one beam in the build plane are specified in the data model for scanning locations of the area to be solidified along a plurality of trajectories, wherein the beam is moved along a trajectory without interrupting the supply of radiant energy to the layer,wherein the trajectories are specified such that a distance between adjacent trajectories is always greater than or equal to 5 pm and / or less than or equal to 350 pm and simultaneously the beam is moved along the adjacent trajectories at a speed greater than or equal to 200 mm / s and / or less than or equal to 3500 mm / s, and a control data provisioning unit (103) designed to provide control data according to the at least one data model generated by the data model generation unit (102) for the generation of a control data set for the additive manufacturing device.

14. Device for computer-controlled control of a number of energy input devices of an additive manufacturing device for the production of a three-dimensional object by means of the same, wherein the object is produced by means of the additive manufacturing device by applying a build material layer upon layer and solidifying the build material in a build plane (7) by supplying radiant energy to locations in each layer that are associated with the cross-section of the object in that layer, by irradiating these locations with at least one beam (22) according to a set of EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 Energy input parameter values ​​for inducing a sintering or melting process are scanned along a plurality of trajectories, wherein the device is designed such that solidification of the build-up material is specified by scanning locations of the area to be solidified along a plurality of trajectories, along which the beam is moved without interrupting the supply of radiant energy to the layer, wherein the trajectories are specified such that a distance between adjacent trajectories is always greater than or equal to 5 pm and / or less than or equal to 350 pm, and simultaneously the beam is moved along the adjacent trajectories at a speed greater than or equal to 200 mm / s and / or less than or equal to 3500 mm / s.

15. Additive manufacturing device for producing a three-dimensional object, wherein in the additive manufacturing device the object is produced by applying a build material layer upon layer and solidifying the build material in a build plane (7) by supplying radiant energy to locations in each layer that correspond to the cross-section of the object in that layer, by scanning these locations with at least one beam (22) according to a set of energy input parameter values ​​to effect a sintering or melting process along a plurality of trajectories, wherein the additive manufacturing device comprises: a layer application device (16) suitable for applying a layer of a build material to an existing, preferably selectively solidified, build material layer, an energy input device (20) suitable forto supply radiant energy to locations assigned to the cross-section of the object in a layer by scanning these locations with at least one beam (22) according to a set of energy input parameter values ​​along a plurality of trajectories, wherein the additive manufacturing device comprises a device according to claim 14 and / or is signal-connected to a device according to claim 14. EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025 16. Computer program, comprising program code means for performing all steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, when the computer program is executed by means of a data processor, in particular a data processor interacting with an additive manufacturing device. EP 2378 / PK / 01 .08.2025

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