Device and method for constructing a layer body
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- the steps ofi. constructing a first article from a plurality of superimposed layers of a free-flowing material, on a build platform within a first build space, the layers being solidified and joined together in locally predetermined areas, including;
applying the free-flowing material from a discharge device in layers, and selectively joining the free-flowing material;
wherein the discharge device moves back and forth over the first build space;
wherein the build platform is stationary and the discharge device is movable with respect to the stationary build platform;
adjusting the height of the discharge device relative to the stationary build platform; and
forming one or more outer walls for defining the first build space so that loose free-flowing material within the first build space is prevented from flowing off into areas outside of the first build space;
wherein the one or more outer walls are printed walls of the free-flowing material being solidified and joined together;
wherein the first article is formed by the solidified and joined areas of the layers within the first build space; and
ii. following the constructing of the first article, repeating (i) for constructing a second article in a second build space, wherein the first build space and the second build space are different build spaces over the build platform.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for constructing a laminar body from a plurality of superimposed layers of free-flowing material, in particular particulate material, and a build platform within a working area. The layers are solidified in locally predetermined regions by the action of binders and are joined together so that at least one moulded body is formed by the solidified and joined regions of the layers. The device comprises a discharging device movable back and forth over the working area in at least one discharge direction and having at least one discharge opening from which the free-flowing material can be discharged in individual superimposed layers during the movement of the discharging device.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
- the steps of
i. constructing a first article from a plurality of superimposed layers of a free-flowing material, on a build platform within a first build space, the layers being solidified and joined together in locally predetermined areas, including; applying the free-flowing material from a discharge device in layers, and selectively joining the free-flowing material;
wherein the discharge device moves back and forth over the first build space;
wherein the build platform is stationary and the discharge device is movable with respect to the stationary build platform;adjusting the height of the discharge device relative to the stationary build platform; and forming one or more outer walls for defining the first build space so that loose free-flowing material within the first build space is prevented from flowing off into areas outside of the first build space;
wherein the one or more outer walls are printed walls of the free-flowing material being solidified and joined together;
wherein the first article is formed by the solidified and joined areas of the layers within the first build space; andii. following the constructing of the first article, repeating (i) for constructing a second article in a second build space, wherein the first build space and the second build space are different build spaces over the build platform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- the steps of
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13. A method comprising the steps of:
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i. constructing at least one first article from a plurality of superimposed layers of free-flowing material, on a build platform within a first build space, the layers being solidified and joined together in locally predetermined areas by the action of a binder, including; applying the free-flowing material from a discharge device in layers, and applying the binder from a print head;
wherein the discharge device and the print head move back and forth over the first build space;
wherein the build platform is stationary and the discharge device and the print head are movable with respect to the stationary build platform;
the discharge device applies the free-flowing material at a time when the print head is not applying binder; and
the print head applies the binder at a time when the discharge device is not applying the free-flowing material;juxtapositioning the discharge device with an uppermost layer of the free-flowing material; and forming an outer wall at an edge of the first build space, the outer wall defining the first build space so that loose free-flowing material within the first build space is prevented from flowing off into areas outside of the first build space;
wherein the outer wall is a printed wall of the free-flowing material being solidified and joined together by the action of the binder;
wherein the at least one first article is formed by the solidified and joined areas of the layers within the first build space; andii. following the constructing of the at least one first article, repeating (i) for constructing at least one second article in a second build space, wherein the first build space and the second build space are different build spaces over the build platform; wherein a layer is completed in one pass of the discharge device over the build space. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising the steps of:
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i. constructing at least one first article from a plurality of superimposed layers of free-flowing particulate material, on a build platform within a first build space, the layers being solidified and joined together in locally predetermined areas by the action of a radiation source, including; applying the free-flowing particulate material from a discharge device in layers, and applying radiation from a radiation source;
wherein the discharge device and the radiation source move back and forth over the first build space;
wherein the build platform is stationary and the discharge device is movable with respect to the stationary build platform;adjusting the height of the discharge device relative to the stationary build platform; juxtapositioning the discharge device with an uppermost layer of the free-flowing particulate material; and forming an outer wall at an edge of the first build space, the outer wall defining the build space so that loose free-flowing particulate material within the first build space is prevented from flowing off into areas outside of the first build space;
wherein the outer wall is a printed wall of the free-flowing particulate material being solidified and joined together by the action of the radiation source;
wherein the at least one first article is formed by the solidified and joined areas of the layers within the first build space; andii. following the constructing of the at least one first article, repeating (i) for constructing at least one second article in a second build space, wherein the first build space and the second build space are different build spaces over the build platform. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification