Device for manufacturing models layer by layer

• US 20040035542A1
• Filed: 08/07/2003
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Exone GMBH (Desktop Metal, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Alexander Kudernatsch, Berhard Graf, Ingo Ederer, Rainer Hocsmann
• Inventors: Hocsmann, Rainer, Graf, Berhard, Ederer, Ingo, Kudernatsch, Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 7,004,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 164/45
• CPC Class Codes: B22C 7/00 Patterns; Manufacture thereof so far as not provided for in other classes
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/10 Auxiliary heating means
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 31/006 Handling moulds, e.g. between a mould store and a moulding machine movable moulds B29C33/34; for injection moulding B29C45/1756
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 31/044 with moving heads for distributing liquid or viscous material into the moulds
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/34 Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/135 the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/153 using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
• 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: B33Y 40/00 Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 10/25 Process efficiency

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for manufacturing models layer by layer. The inventive device comprises a frame (1), a vertically adjustable and exchangeable workpiece platform (17)m and a device for feeding the material comprising a coating applicator (4). Said coating applicator (4) serves to feed material from a storage container to a process zone above the workpiece platform (17), said workpiece platform (17) being fixed in the device at least during manufacturing of a model. The workpiece platform (17) is introduced on the one side of the device and extracted on the other side of the device.

Claims

1. A device for pattern building in layers, which has a frame, a vertically movable and interchangeable workpiece platform, and a material feeder with a spreader, whereby the spreader serves to feed material from a storage bin situated in the workspace above the workpiece platform, and the workpiece platform is fixed at least when building a pattern, characterised in that

the workpiece platform (17) is loaded into the device from one side and unloaded from the other side of the device.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that

at least one roller conveyor (3) is provided for loading and unloading the workpiece platform (17).

3. The device according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that

the workpiece platform (17) has essentially a rectangular cross-section in plan view and that the loading and unloading of the workpiece platform (17) into the device occurs with the short edge forward.

4. The device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that

the vertical positioning of the workpiece platform (17) is achieved with at least one lateral linear guide (12) on frame (1).

5. The device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that

the vertical positioning means is achieved with at least two geared motors (5).

6. The device according to claim 5, characterised in that

the gear motors (5) drive a recirculating ball screw (13), which utilizes a spindle nut (14) to displace lifting plates (16) hinged to the workpiece platform (17).

7. A device according to claims 5 or 6, characterised in that

the gear motors (5) are connected to each other through a coupling arrangement.

8. A device according to claim 7, characterised in that

the coupling arrangement is achieved mechanically and/or electronically.

9. The device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that

the workpiece platform (17) is mounted in a job box (2).

10. The device according to claim 3, characterised in that

the spreader (4) operates along the short edge of workpiece platform (17).

11. The device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that

the spreader (4) is provided with an adjustable edge that serves to define the area to be covered.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterised in that

the edge of the spreader is provided with a polished steel strip that can be reset at regular intervals with adjustment screws.

13. The device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that

the upper workspace of the frame (1) includes the optics of a sintering laser.

14. The device according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterised in that

the upper workspace of the frame (1) includes a dispensing system for spraying fluids (6) and a Drop-On-Demand system (7).

15. Application of the device according to one of the foregoing claims 1 to 14 in a laser sintering method.

16. Application of the device according to one of the foregoing claims 1 to 14 in a method for pattern building in layers from moulding sand, casting resins, and curing agents.