Build chamber for providing a protective gas flow in an additive manufacturing device, and additive manufacturing device
The build chamber with multiple inlet areas for varying gas streams addresses recirculation and dead zones in additive manufacturing, improving component quality and productivity by ensuring efficient gas flow with reduced consumption.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing additive manufacturing devices face issues with local recirculation zones and dead water zones near the process area, leading to turbulence and increased gas consumption, particularly in large-format systems, which affect the quality and productivity of three-dimensional component production.
A build chamber with multiple inlet areas for generating primary, secondary, and tertiary protective gas streams, each with varying flow velocities, to create a homogeneous gas flow that suppresses recirculation zones and avoids dead zones, ensuring efficient gas flow with reduced overall volumetric rates.
The solution significantly improves the suppression of local recirculation zones and dead water zones, enhancing the quality and productivity of three-dimensional component manufacturing by maintaining a homogeneous gas flow with minimal gas consumption.
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Figure EP2025073765_05032026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Construction chamber for providing a protective current in an additive
[0002] Fertilizing device and additive fertilizing device
[0003] Technical field
[0004] The present disclosure relates in general to a build chamber for providing a protective gas stream in an additive manufacturing device and an additive manufacturing device for additively manufacturing a three-dimensional component from a powder material, comprising a build chamber having a working surface surrounded by side walls and a ceiling wall, at least one beam source for generating a beam for irradiating powder material in the working surface for layer-by-layer production of the component, and a protective gas system for providing a protective gas stream.
[0005] Background of the Revelation
[0006] Manufacturing devices for the additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional component by layer-by-layer application of a build material, preferably a powder material, and solidification thereof with at least one laser generally comprise a build chamber containing an inert atmosphere, a build cylinder, and at least one laser beam generation unit for directing at least one laser beam onto the build material. The build cylinder includes a vertically movable substrate plate configured to allow the application of layers of the build material by gradual lowering. It is located below the build chamber, connected to the build chamber by being positioned at an opening in the body of the build chamber, and provides a build area for constructing three-dimensional components.To ensure an inert atmosphere within the build chamber, the gas tightness of the build chamber and its adjacent components must be maintained during the construction of the three-dimensional component, and gas losses between individual build processes must be minimized. The laser beam generation unit comprises at least one laser and at least one scanner. Multiple laser beam generation units can be used to increase productivity. Each.
[0007] Each laser beam generation unit has its own unique characteristics, resulting in laser beams with individual properties that influence the quality of the build process and ultimately the build quality of the produced three-dimensional components. For three-dimensional components with good build quality, the laser beam generation units are individually calibrated.
[0008] The build cylinder can be interchangeable. An inert atmosphere is ensured by sealing the build chamber before removing the build cylinder, particularly with a lid, and by at least one seal at the interface between the build cylinder and the build chamber. Furthermore, the additive manufacturing device includes an inlet area and an outlet area for providing a gas flow that flows horizontally along the bottom of the build chamber.
[0009] After the build cylinder is positioned at the interface with the build chamber, the three-dimensional component is manufactured using processes known as selective laser sintering (SLS) and laser metal fusion (LMF). In these processes, the build material, preferably a ceramic or metal powder, is exposed to electromagnetic radiation, preferably laser light. The electromagnetic radiation provides sufficient energy and a suitable wavelength for melting or sintering the build material. First, a thin layer of the build material is spread over the build cylinder's substrate plate using a wiper, roller, brush, or blade. Then, once the thin layer is formed, the areas to be solidified are exposed to the electromagnetic radiation and melted or sintered.After the desired material has cured, the substrate plate is lowered and the two steps are repeated until the three-dimensional component is built up. Once built, the layers are joined together to form the three-dimensional components.
[0010] Modern additive manufacturing devices utilize a dual-stream gas flow concept. The primary stream, positioned directly above the powder bed, removes process byproducts and prevents oxidation. The secondary stream prevents contamination of the process chamber by byproducts escaping from the primary stream. These byproducts would otherwise attenuate the laser beam or contaminate the optical window, thus impairing process results.
[0011] However, these concepts do not guarantee the suppression of local recirculation zones and dead water zones near the process area. Furthermore, increased flow velocities occur near the outlet area, which can lead to turbulence or similar issues. A further disadvantage is increased gas consumption. These problems are particularly prevalent in large-format systems.
[0012] Therefore, a particular objective of the present disclosure is to provide a build chamber for supplying a protective gas flow in an additive manufacturing device and an additive manufacturing device for the additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional component from a powder material, comprising a build chamber with a working area surrounded by side walls and a ceiling wall, at least one beam source for generating a beam for irradiating powder in the working area for layer-by-layer production of the component, and a protective gas system for supplying a protective gas flow that improves the suppression of local recirculation zones and avoids dead zones near the process area and, in particular, near the laser safety screen, i.e., at the point where the laser(s) enter the process chamber. This increases the productivity and quality of the manufactured three-dimensional components.
[0013] In general, the present disclosure aims at least in part to improve or overcome one or more aspects of the previous systems and, in particular, to provide an efficient approach for providing a homogeneous gas flow in a build chamber of a manufacturing device for the additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional component.
[0014] Summary of Revelation
[0015] Some of the problems can be solved by a build chamber for providing a protective gas flow in an additive manufacturing device according to independent claim 1, and by an additive manufacturing device for additively manufacturing a three-dimensional component from a powder material, comprising a build chamber with a working surface surrounded by side walls and a ceiling wall, at least one beam source for generating a beam for irradiating powder material or powder in the working surface for layer-by-layer production of the component, and a protective gas system for providing a protective gas flow according to independent claim 12. Further developments are defined in the dependent claims.
[0016] The problem is solved in particular by a build chamber for providing a protective gas flow in an additive manufacturing device, wherein the build chamber comprises a first side wall in which a first inlet area, such as a channel or a protective gas flow rectifier, and a second inlet area are provided, wherein the first inlet area is configured to generate a first primary protective gas flow and the second inlet area is configured to generate a first secondary protective gas flow, wherein the first primary protective gas flow flows substantially horizontally along the bottom of the build chamber and the first secondary protective gas flow flows substantially horizontally above the first primary protective gas flow or is directed at an acute angle to the first primary protective gas flow, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, and an outlet area for extracting the protective gas flow.wherein the first side wall has a third inlet area, wherein the third inlet area is configured to generate at least one first tertiary protective gas stream, wherein the first tertiary protective gas stream flows above the first secondary protective gas stream.
[0017] This build chamber according to the invention for providing a protective gas flow in an additive manufacturing device according to the first aspect offers a system that significantly improves the suppression of local recirculation zones and avoids dead water zones near the process area. Furthermore, efficiency is improved because the volumetric flow rates can be reduced. Additional flow inlets in higher areas of the build chamber, for example, enable more efficient flow with a lower overall volumetric flow rate and without affecting the primary protective gas flow.
[0018] The primary inert gas flow directly above the powder bed serves to remove process residues and prevent oxidation, thus directly influencing the process outcome. The secondary inert gas flow directly above it prevents contamination of higher build chamber areas with process residues, which would otherwise deposit on the optical glass or interact with the laser beam, negatively impacting the process outcome. In the present invention, the efficient flow of gas through the entire build chamber volume with the lowest possible gas flow rate is achieved by introducing multiple, staggered flow inlets. The concept of primary and secondary inert gas flow is limited to the lower build chamber areas directly above the powder bed. These areas require a homogeneous flow across the entire build platform at a constant velocity. Areas located higher up, e.g.,Directly below the optics, the requirements for flow quality are considerably lower, as the sole objective here is to prevent the accumulation of process residues. This can be achieved by the targeted introduction of inert gas with minimal gas consumption, without affecting the primary or secondary protective gas flow.
[0019] In a further embodiment, the first primary protective gas stream has a different flow velocity than the first secondary protective gas stream and the first tertiary protective gas stream, and wherein preferably the first primary protective gas stream has a higher flow velocity than the first secondary protective gas stream and the first secondary protective gas stream has a higher flow velocity than the first tertiary protective gas stream.
[0020] Alternatively, the first inlet area is essentially located on the underside of the first side wall.
[0021] Advantageously, the second inlet area is located essentially above the first inlet area.
[0022] Preferably, the third inlet area directs the first tertiary protective gas flow substantially through the entire first side wall or partially through the first side wall.
[0023] According to another embodiment, the outlet area is essentially located on the underside of the second side wall. Alternatively, the cross-section of the first inlet area is smaller than that of the outlet area.
[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a fourth inlet area and a fifth inlet area are provided in the second side wall, wherein the fourth inlet area is configured to generate a second primary protective gas flow and the fifth inlet area is configured to generate a second secondary protective gas flow, wherein the second primary protective gas flow flows substantially horizontally along the bottom of the assembly chamber and the second secondary protective gas flow flows substantially horizontally above the second primary protective gas flow or is directed at an acute angle to the second primary protective gas flow, wherein the second primary protective gas flow and the second secondary protective gas flow flow in the horizontally opposite direction to the first primary protective gas flow and the first secondary protective gas flow, and wherein the second side wall has a sixth inlet area.wherein the sixth inlet area is configured to generate at least one second tertiary protective gas stream, and wherein the second tertiary protective gas stream flows above the second secondary protective gas stream.
[0025] Preferably, the second primary protective gas stream has a higher flow velocity than the second secondary protective gas stream, and the second secondary protective gas stream has a higher flow velocity than the second tertiary protective gas stream. Preferably, the three protective gas stream pairs, consisting of the first primary and second primary protective gas streams, the first secondary and second secondary protective gas streams, and the first tertiary and second tertiary protective gas streams, each have the same flow velocity.
[0026] Preferably, the outlet area is arranged between the first inlet area and the fourth inlet area.
[0027] Advantageously, the first side wall and / or the second side wall has at least a partially inclined and / or curved section. Alternatively, the third inlet area and / or the sixth inlet area comprises a protective gas flow rectifier such as a filter laminate, a perforated plate, or a honeycomb mesh.
[0028] The problem is also solved by providing an additive manufacturing device for the additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional component from a powder material, comprising a build chamber with a work surface surrounded by side walls and a ceiling wall, at least one beam source for generating a beam for irradiating powder in the work surface for layer-by-layer production of the component, and a protective gas system for providing a protective gas stream.The build chamber comprises a first side wall in which a first inlet area and a second inlet area are provided, wherein the first inlet area is configured to generate a first primary protective gas stream and the second inlet area is configured to generate a first secondary protective gas stream, wherein the first primary protective gas stream flows substantially horizontally along the bottom of the build chamber and the first secondary protective gas stream flows substantially horizontally above the first primary protective gas stream or is directed at an acute angle to the first primary protective gas stream, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, and an outlet area for extracting the protective gas stream, wherein the first side wall has a third inlet area, wherein the third inlet area is configured to generate at least one first tertiary protective gas stream, wherein the first tertiary protective gas stream flows above the first secondary protective gas stream.
[0029] This additive manufacturing device according to the invention for the additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional component from a powder material, comprising a build chamber with a working area surrounded by side walls and a ceiling wall, at least one beam source for generating a beam for irradiating powder in the working area for layer-by-layer production of the component, and a protective gas system for providing a protective gas flow according to the second aspect, offers a system that significantly improves the suppression of local recirculation zones and avoids dead water zones near the process area. Furthermore, efficiency is improved because volumetric flow rates can be reduced. Additional flow inlets in higher areas of the build chamber, for example, enable more efficient flow with a lower overall volumetric flow rate and without affecting the primary protective gas flow.
[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment, a fourth inlet area and a fifth inlet area are provided in the second side wall, wherein the fourth inlet area is configured to generate a second primary protective gas flow and the fifth inlet area is configured to generate a second secondary protective gas flow, wherein the second primary protective gas flow flows substantially horizontally along the bottom of the assembly chamber and the second secondary protective gas flow flows substantially horizontally above the second primary protective gas flow or is directed at an acute angle to the first primary protective gas flow, wherein the second primary protective gas flow and the second secondary protective gas flow flow in the horizontally opposite direction to the first primary protective gas flow and the first secondary protective gas flow, and wherein the second side wall has a sixth inlet area.wherein the sixth inlet area is configured to generate at least one second tertiary protective gas stream, and wherein the second tertiary protective gas stream flows above the second secondary protective gas stream.
[0031] Alternatively, the outlet area is located between the first inlet area and the fourth inlet area.
[0032] Preferably, the first side wall and / or the second side wall has at least a partially inclined and / or curved section.
[0033] Other features and aspects of this revelation will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
[0034] Brief description of the drawings
[0035] The accompanying drawings, which are included herein and form part of the description, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings, Fig. 1 schematically shows an additive manufacturing device for the additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional component from a powder material with a build chamber.
[0036] Fig. 2 schematically shows a construction chamber according to the state of the art,
[0037] Fig. 3 schematically shows a construction chamber according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and
[0038] Fig. 4 schematically shows a construction chamber according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] Detailed description
[0040] The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments described therein and illustrated in the drawings are intended to teach the principles of the present disclosure and to enable the person skilled in the art to implement and use the present disclosure in many different environments and for many different applications. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments are not intended as a limiting description of the scope of patent protection and should not be regarded as such. Rather, the scope of patent protection is to be defined by the accompanying claims.
[0041] Fig. 1 schematically shows an additive manufacturing device 1 comprising two laser beam generation units 2a, 2b, a build chamber 5, and a build cylinder 12. The laser beam generation units 2a, 2b each comprise an electromagnetic radiation-generating beam source 3a, 3b, and a scan unit 4a, 4b, each of which deflects a beam or laser beam 6a, 6b. The scan units 4a, 4b, such as mirrors and lenses, align the laser beams 6a, 6b so that the laser beams 6a, 6b, by means of their optical components, irradiate a build material 7 in a scan field 28 located in an opening 11 on the underside of the build chamber 5. For example, each scan unit 4a, 4b can comprise a scanner mirror rotatable in two directions (not shown) or two scanner mirrors rotatable in one direction (not shown).For example, each scan unit 4a, 4b can include a galvanometer scanner and / or an F-theta lens, which is often used at the output of the laser scan units 4a, 4b to focus the laser beam 6a, 6b onto a flat image field. The build chamber 5 is designed to provide a closed process environment, access points for the laser beam generation units 2a, 2b, access points for generating a gas flow, and an opening 11 on its lower surface.
[0042] The build cylinder 12 is positioned at the opening 11 of the build chamber 5. The build cylinder 12 contains a movable substrate plate 13, which allows layers of build material 7—in this figure, a powder meltable by the energy of the laser beams 6a, 6b and supplied by the manufacturing device 1—to be applied by a coating unit 8 using a coating lip 9. The coating lip 9 can be made of rubber, but can also be a blade, a wiper, or a cylinder. After the substrate plate 13 is lowered, the coating unit 8 pushes a small stack of build material 7 over the scan field 28, creating a new layer that can be solidified by the laser beams 6a, 6b. Thus, the two three-dimensional components 10a, 10b shown are produced layer by layer within the build cylinder 12.
[0043] During the build process, an inert atmosphere is established and maintained in build chamber 5 to ensure good process quality by creating a controlled environment for the melting process. The opening 11 of build chamber 5 is sealed with the build cylinder 12. Only an inlet area / inlet channel 36 and an outlet area / outlet channel 37, connected to a gas supply system, ensure a controlled volume exchange by establishing a continuous flow of protective gas within build chamber 5. This prevents the formation of smoke and removes particles and condensates from the atmosphere during the build process to reduce interference with the laser beams 6a, 6b. The inlet area 36 is also used to fill build chamber 5 with an inert, protective gas to establish the inert atmosphere.For example, the inlet area 36 and the outlet area 37 can include an inlet valve and an outlet valve to ensure controlled gas flow and the gas tightness of the build chamber 5 when the gas flow is interrupted. The gas tightness of the build chamber 5 can also be ensured by seals between the build cylinder 12 and the build chamber 5.
[0044] The construction cylinder 12 can have an oval or circular base and a lateral surface; however, a rectangular base combined with a lateral surface is also possible. The construction cylinder 12 can also have a rectangular shape.
[0045] Fig. 2 schematically shows a prior art build chamber 5 for providing a protective gas stream 46a, 46b in an additive
[0046] Manufacturing apparatus 1. The build chamber 5 comprises a first inlet area 36a and a second inlet area 36b. The first inlet area 36a is configured to generate a primary protective gas flow 46a that flows horizontally along the bottom of the build chamber 5. Furthermore, the build chamber 5 comprises a second inlet area 36b configured to generate a secondary protective gas flow 46b that flows substantially above the primary protective gas flow 46a. The build chamber 5 also includes a vertically arranged side wall 52. Additionally, the build chamber 5 includes an outlet area 37 at the bottom of the side wall 52 for extracting the protective gas flows 46a and 46b. As can be seen in Fig. 2, there is a so-called dead water zone 60 at the ceiling of the build chamber 5, at the point where the secondary protective gas flow 46b meets the side wall 52. Dead water zones 60 unfortunately lead to turbulence and inhomogeneity of the gas flow.
[0047] Fig. 3 schematically shows a build chamber 5 according to a first embodiment of the present invention for providing a protective gas stream 46a, 46b in an additive manufacturing device 1. The build chamber 5 according to the first embodiment comprises a first side wall 51 in which a first inlet area 36a and a second inlet area 36b are provided. The first inlet area 36a is configured to generate a first primary protective gas stream 46a and the second inlet area 36b is configured to generate a first secondary protective gas stream 46b, wherein the first primary protective gas stream 46a flows substantially horizontally along the bottom of the build chamber 5 and the first secondary protective gas stream 46b flows substantially horizontally above the first primary protective gas stream 46a or is directed at an acute angle to the first primary protective gas stream 46a.The construction chamber 5 also includes a second side wall 52, which is opposite the first side wall 51, and an outlet area 37 for extracting the protective gas flow. The first side wall 51 also has a third inlet area 36c. The third inlet area 36c is configured to generate at least one first tertiary protective gas flow 46c, wherein the first tertiary protective gas flow 46c flows above the first secondary protective gas flow 46b. The three protective gas flows 46a, 46b, 46c flow in essentially the same direction.
[0048] In this case, the first primary protective gas stream 46a has a higher flow velocity than the first secondary protective gas stream 46b, and the first secondary protective gas stream 46b has a higher flow velocity than the first tertiary protective gas stream 46c.
[0049] Fig. 4 schematically shows a build chamber 5 according to a second embodiment of the present invention for providing a protective gas stream 46a, 46b in an additive manufacturing device 1. The build chamber 5 according to the second embodiment comprises a first side wall 51 in which a first inlet area 36a and a second inlet area 36b are provided. The first inlet area 36a is configured to generate a first primary protective gas stream 46a and the second inlet area 36b is configured to generate a first secondary protective gas stream 46b, wherein the first primary protective gas stream 46a flows substantially horizontally along the bottom of the build chamber 5 and the first secondary protective gas stream 46b flows substantially horizontally above the first primary protective gas stream 46a or is directed at an acute angle to the first primary protective gas stream 46a.The construction chamber 5 also includes a second side wall 52, which is opposite the first side wall 51, and an outlet area 37 for extracting the protective gas flow. The first side wall 51 has a third inlet area 36c, wherein the third inlet area 36c is configured to generate at least one first tertiary protective gas flow 46c, the first tertiary protective gas flow 46c flowing above the first secondary protective gas flow 46b.The second side wall 52 has a fourth inlet area 36d and a fifth inlet area 36e, wherein the fourth inlet area 36d is configured to generate a second primary protective gas stream 46d and the fifth inlet area 36e is configured to generate a second secondary protective gas stream 46e, wherein the second primary protective gas stream 46d flows substantially horizontally along the bottom of the assembly chamber 5 and the second secondary protective gas stream 46e flows substantially horizontally above the second primary protective gas stream 46d or is directed at an acute angle to the first primary protective gas stream 46d, wherein the second primary protective gas stream 46d and the second secondary protective gas stream 46e flow in the horizontally opposite direction to the first primary protective gas stream 46a and the first secondary protective gas stream 46b. The second side wall 52 has a sixth inlet area 36f.The sixth inlet area 36f is designed to generate at least one second tertiary protective gas stream 46f, wherein the second tertiary protective gas stream 46f is above the second.
[0050] Secondary protective gas flow 46e is flowing.
[0051] Here, the first primary protective gas stream 46a has a larger
[0052] The flow velocity is higher than that of the first secondary protective gas stream 46b, and the first secondary protective gas stream 46b has a higher flow velocity than that of the first tertiary protective gas stream 46c. Furthermore, the second primary protective gas stream 46d has a higher flow velocity than that of the second secondary protective gas stream 46e, and the second secondary protective gas stream 46e has a higher flow velocity than that of the second tertiary protective gas stream 46f.
[0053] It is expressly stated that all features disclosed in the description and / or the claims are to be disclosed separately and independently of one another for the purposes of the original disclosure and for the purpose of limiting the claimed invention, irrespective of the combination of features in the embodiments and / or the claims. It is expressly stated that all ranges of values or information relating to groups of units disclose any possible intermediate value or value for the purposes of the original disclosure and for the purpose of limiting the claimed invention, in particular as limits of value ranges.
[0054] Although the preferred embodiments of this invention have been described herein, improvements and modifications may be included without deviating from the scope of the following claims. List of references
[0055] 1 Additive manufacturing device
[0056] 2a, 2b laser beam generation unit
[0057] 3a, 3b beam source
[0058] 4a, 4b Scan unit
[0059] 5 Construction Chamber
[0060] 6a, 6b beam
[0061] 7 Building material / Powder material
[0062] 8 coating units
[0063] 9 Coating lip
[0064] 10a, 10b three-dimensional component
[0065] 11 Opening
[0066] 12 construction cylinders
[0067] 13 Substrate plate
[0068] 28 scan fields
[0069] 36 Entrance area
[0070] 36a-f first to sixth entrance area
[0071] 37 Outlet area
[0072] 46a first primary protective gas flow
[0073] 46b first secondary protective gas stream
[0074] 46c first tertiary protective gas stream
[0075] 46d second primary protective gas stream
[0076] 46e second secondary protective gas stream
[0077] 46f second tertiary protective gas stream
[0078] 51 first side wall
[0079] 52 second side wall
[0080] 60 Dead water zone
Claims
Claims 1. Build chamber (5) for providing a protective gas stream (46a, 46b, 46c, 46d, 46e, 46f) in an additive manufacturing device (1), the build chamber (5) comprising: a first side wall (51) in which a first inlet area (36a) and a second inlet area (36b) are provided, the first inlet area (36a) being configured to generate a first primary protective gas stream (46a) and the second inlet area (36b) being configured to generate a first secondary protective gas stream (46b), the first primary protective gas stream (46a) flowing substantially horizontally along the bottom of the build chamber (5) and the first secondary protective gas stream (46b) flowing substantially horizontally above the first primary protective gas stream (46a) or directed at an acute angle to the first primary protective gas stream (46a); a second side wall (52) which is connected to the first side wall (51) opposite, and an outlet area (37) for extracting the protective gas flow (46a, 46b, 46c, 46d, 46e, 46f),wherein the first side wall (51) has a third inlet area (36c), wherein the third inlet area (36c) is configured to generate at least one first tertiary protective gas stream (46c), wherein the first tertiary protective gas stream (46c) flows above the first secondary protective gas stream (46b).
2. Construction chamber (5) according to claim 1, wherein the first primary protective gas stream (46a) has a different flow velocity than the first secondary protective gas stream (46b) and the first tertiary protective gas stream (46c), and wherein preferably the first primary protective gas stream (46a) has a higher flow velocity than the first secondary protective gas stream (46b) and the first secondary protective gas stream (46b) has a higher flow velocity than the first tertiary protective gas stream (46c).
3. Construction chamber (5) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first inlet area (36a) is substantially arranged on the underside of the first side wall (51).
4. Construction chamber (5) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second inlet area (36b) is arranged substantially above the first inlet area (36a).
5. Construction chamber (5) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the third inlet area (36c) directs the first tertiary protective gas stream (46c) substantially through the entire first side wall (51) or partially through the first side wall (51).
6. Construction chamber (5) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outlet area (37) is substantially arranged on the underside of the second side wall (52).
7. Construction chamber (5) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cross-section of the first inlet area (36a) is smaller than that of the outlet area (37).
8. Construction chamber (5) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a fourth inlet area (36d) and a fifth inlet area (36e) are provided in the second side wall (52), wherein the fourth inlet area (36d) is configured to generate a second primary protective gas flow (46d) and the fifth inlet area (36e) is configured to generate a second secondary protective gas flow (46e), wherein the second primary protective gas flow (46d) flows substantially horizontally along the bottom of the construction chamber (5) and the second secondary protective gas flow (46e) flows substantially horizontally above the second primary protective gas flow (46d) or is directed at an acute angle to the second primary protective gas flow (46d), wherein the second primary protective gas flow (46d) and the second secondary protective gas flow (46e) flow in the horizontally opposite direction to the first primary protective gas flow (46a) and the first secondary protective gas flow (46b).and wherein the second side wall (52) has a sixth inlet area (36f), wherein the sixth inlet area (36f) is configured to generate at least one second, tertiary protective gas stream (46f), wherein the second tertiary protective gas stream (46f) flows over the second secondary protective gas stream (46e).
9. Construction chamber (5) according to claim 8, wherein the outlet area (37) is arranged between the first inlet area (36a) and the fourth inlet area (36d).
10. Construction chamber (5) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first (51) side wall and / or the second side wall (52) has an at least partially inclined and / or curved section.
11. Construction chamber (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the third inlet area (36c) and / or the sixth inlet area (36f) comprises a protective gas flow rectifier such as a filter laminate, a perforated plate or a honeycomb mesh.
12. Additive manufacturing device (1) for additively manufacturing a three-dimensional component (10a, 10b) from a powder material (7) with a build chamber (5) having a working area surrounded by side walls (51, 52) and a ceiling wall, at least one beam source (3a, 3b) for generating a beam (6a, 6b) for irradiating powder material (7) in the working area for layer-by-layer manufacturing of the component (10a, 10b) and a protective gas system for providing a protective gas stream (46a, 46b, 46c, 46d, 46e, 46f), wherein the build chamber (5) comprises: a first side wall (51) in which a first inlet area (36a) and a second inlet area (36b) are provided, wherein the first inlet area (36a) is configured to generate a first primary protective gas stream (46a) and the second inlet area (36b) is set up to generate a first secondary protective gas flow (46b),wherein the first primary protective gas stream (46a) flows substantially horizontally along the bottom of the construction chamber (5) and the first secondary protective gas stream (46b) flows substantially horizontally above the first primary protective gas stream (46a) or is directed at an acute angle to the first primary protective gas stream (46a), a second side wall (52) opposite the first side wall (51), and, 17 an outlet area (37) for extracting the protective gas stream (46a, 46b, 46c, 46d, 46e, 46f), wherein the first side wall (51) has a third inlet area (36c), wherein the third inlet area (36c) is configured to generate at least one first tertiary protective gas stream (46c), wherein the first tertiary protective gas stream (46c) flows above the first secondary protective gas stream (46b).
13. Additive manufacturing device (1) according to claim 12, wherein a fourth inlet area (36d) and a fifth inlet area (36e) are provided in the second side wall (52), wherein the fourth inlet area (36d) is configured to generate a second primary protective gas stream (46d) and the fifth inlet area (36e) is configured to generate a second secondary protective gas stream (46e), wherein the second primary protective gas stream (46d) flows substantially horizontally along the bottom of the build chamber (5) and the second secondary protective gas stream (46e) flows substantially horizontally above the second primary protective gas stream (46d) or is directed at an acute angle to the second primary protective gas stream (46d), wherein the second primary protective gas stream (46d) and the second secondary protective gas stream (46e) flow in the horizontally opposite direction to the first primary protective gas stream (46a) and the first secondary protective gas stream (46b),and wherein the second side wall (52) has a sixth inlet area (36f), wherein the sixth inlet area (36f) is configured to generate at least one second tertiary protective gas stream (46f), and wherein the second tertiary protective gas stream (46f) flows above the second secondary protective gas stream (46e).
14. Additive manufacturing device (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the outlet area (37) is arranged between the first inlet area (36a) and the fourth inlet area (36d).
15. Additive manufacturing device (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first side wall (51) and / or the second side wall (52) has at least a partially inclined and / or curved section. 18
Citation Information
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