Process and device for producing a three-dimensional object

• US 20070001342A1
• Filed: 06/14/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Energy Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
• Inventors: Oberhofer, Johann, Weidinger, Jochen, Mattes, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,901,604 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/237
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 13/16 Feed or discharge arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B22C 7/00 Patterns; Manufacture thereof so far as not provided for in other classes
• 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 64/35 Cleaning
• 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 40/20 Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing

Abstract

A process is provided for producing a three-dimensional object having the steps forming the object (3) in a container (1, 200) arranged within a process chamber (100) on a carrier (4) which can be displaced in the container by sequential selective solidification of layers of a pulverulent material (11) which can be solidified by the action of electromagnetic or particle radiation at positions corresponding to the cross-section of the object in the particular layer, characterised by the step of controlled removal of non-solidified pulverulent material (11) after completing the object (3).

Claims

1-43. -43. (canceled)

44. A process for producing a three-dimensional object, the process comprising the steps of:

providing a container arranged within a process chamber and a carrier that can be moved in the container;

forming the object on the carrier in the container by sequential selective solidification of layers of a solidifiable powder material at positions corresponding to the cross-section of the object in the particular layer; and

cooling the object during removing of the non-solidified powder material.

45. The process according to claim 44, wherein the cooling is performed in a controlled manner.

46. The process according to claim 44, wherein the removing of non-solidified powder material is performed in a controlled manner.

47. The process according to claim 44, wherein the cooling is effected by providing a fluid, in particular a gas or a liquid, to the object.

48. The process according to claim 47, wherein providing the fluid comprises blowing the fluid into the non-solidified powder.

49. The process according to claim 47, wherein providing the fluid comprises blowing the fluid over an exposed surface of the object in the powder.

50. The process according to claim 47, wherein providing the fluid comprises directing a fluid stream essentially tangentially to the powder surface to cool the object.

51. The process according to claim 44, further comprising providing additional treatment to the object during cooling.

52. A device for producing a three-dimensional object by sequential solidification of layers of a solidifiable powder material, the device comprising:

a container for accommodating the object to be produced;

a carrier that can be moved in the container; and

a cooling apparatus for controlled cooling of the object during the removal of non-solidified powder.

53. The device according to claim 52, further comprising a device for controlled removal of non-solidified powder material after producing the object.

54. The device according to claim 52, wherein the cooling apparatus is formed to provide a fluid to the object.

55. The device according to claim 52, wherein the cooling apparatus is formed to blow the fluid into the non-solidified powder.

56. The device according to claim 52, wherein the cooling apparatus is formed to blow the fluid over an exposed surface of the object in the powder.

57. The device according to claim 52, wherein the cooling apparatus is formed to direct a fluid stream essentially tangentially to the powder surface to cool the object.

58. A device for automatic unpacking and/or cooling of a three-dimensional object that is produced by sequential solidification of layers of a solidifiable powder material, the device comprising:

a container for accommodating the object to be produced;

a carrier that can be moved in the container; and

a cooling apparatus for controlled cooling of the object during the removal of non-solidified powder.

59. The device according to claim 58, further comprising an apparatus for controlled removal of non-solidified powder material after producing the object.