Device for producing three-dimensional models with special building platforms and drive systems

• US 10,059,062 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2013
• Issued: 08/28/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Original Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Inventors: Ederer, Ingo, Hartmann, Andreas Dominik
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, Jr., Joseph A
• Application Number:
  US14/400,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20150224718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,929 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 10/28 Powder bed fusion, e.g. selective laser melting [SLM] or electron beam melting [EBM]
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/226 for rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/33 translatory in the deposition plane
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/37 Rotatable
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/50 Means for feeding of material, e.g. heads
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/141 using only solid materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/153 using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/176 Sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/245 Platforms or substrates support structures intended to be sacrificed after manufacture B29C64/40
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/40 Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2103/00 Use of resin-bonded materials as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/251 Particles, powder or granules expandable particles B29K2105/046
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 10/00 Processes of additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 10/25 Process efficiency

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing three-dimensional models in a continuous process, comprising a build surface which has a first end in the direction of movement and a second end in the direction of movement, at least one dosing device and at least one solidification unit, characterized in that the build surface is designed to transport heavy components, and the components are transportable over the build surface essentially without distortion, and also comprising a method therefor.

Claims

1. A device for producing three-dimensional models in a continuous process, comprising:

a conveyor;

a build surface that is a portion of the conveyor for supporting a particulate material feedstock;

a drive component for moving the build surface, including at least one lifting support and at least one thrusting support that are both capable of being raised and lowered;

at least one dosing unit positioned above the at least one lifting supports, wherein the dosing unit applies a layer of a particulate material to the particulate material feedstock while the build surface is supported by the at least one lifting support and/or the at least one thrusting support; and

and at least one solidification unit;

characterized in that the conveyor is transported by the drive component, wherein the at least one thrusting support provides support to the conveyor while moving the conveyor in a forward direction and the at least one lifting support provides support to the conveyor while the at least one thrusting support returns to a starting position;

wherein each lifting support and each thrusting support is below the build surface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the build surface, while conveying the particulate material feedstock, moves at a same speed at a first end and at a second end.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein a deviation in feed between the first and second ends of the building platform is less than 1 mm.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the conveyor rests and runs on continuous or lateral rollers.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the build surface is horizontal, the at least one dosing unit for particulate material and one solidification unit for particulate material are mounted by means of linear guides, wherein the particulate material is deposited on a build space having a build angle relative to the build surface, which is smaller than the angle of repose of the build material, wherein the build angle being is <

30°

.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one lifting support and the at least one thrusting support provide an upward force that is essentially equal to the gravitational force of the feedstock being supported.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the conveyor is a link conveyor.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the link conveyor has at least one middle support including one or more friction reducing components selected from an air cushions, friction bearings, rollers, and ball casters.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the link conveyor is transported on the thrusting support by means of friction engagement or cohesion of solid bodies.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the link conveyor is driven by means of at least one continuous roller or, on both sides, by means of at least two lateral rollers.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the device includes roller tracks for supporting the link conveyor.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the conveyor is supported only by the thrusting support with the lifting support being lowered away from the conveyor, while moving the conveyor.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the conveyor is supported only by the lifting support with the thrusting support being lowered away from the conveyor, while the thrusting support returns to the starting position.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the lifting support includes a grate.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the thrusting support includes a grate.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the conveyor is a link conveyor.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the build surface is horizontal, the at least one dosing unit for particulate material and one solidification unit for particulate material are mounted by means of linear guides wherein the particulate material is deposited on a build space having a build angle relative to the build surface, which is smaller than the angle of repose of the build material, wherein the build angle being is less than 30°

.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the build surface is a flat surface.