Device and Method for Manufacturing a Three-Dimensional Object with a Heated Recoater for a Building Material in Powder Form

• US 20090068376A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
• Original Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
• Inventors: Philippi, Jochen, Perret, Hans, Langer, Helmar
• Granted Patent: US 7,850,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 427/532
• 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 64/214 Doctor blades
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/295 Heating elements
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 40/00 Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 40/10 Pre-treatment

Abstract

A device and a method for the manufacturing of a three-dimensional object (3) by solidifying of layers (25, 26) of a powder material at locations corresponding to the respective cross-section of the object (3) is provided. The device comprises a recoater (24) for applying the layers of the powder material (27) in the building area (5) which is moveable across the building area (5). The recoater (24) is designed with a rigid blade (21a, 21b) which is rigidly connected to the recoater (24). For preheating the powder material (27), the recoater (24) is provided with a heating device (20, 23) which is at least partially integrated into the recoater. In this way it is possible to preheat the powder already during or prior to applying it as a layer and thereby shortening the whole building time for the three-dimensional object (3).

Claims

1. Recoater for applying of powder layers in a device for the manufacturing of a three-dimensional object by solidifying of layers of a powder material at locations corresponding to the respective cross-section of the object,

wherein the recoater comprises a rigid blade which is rigidly connected to the recoater, and

wherein the recoater comprises a heating device, which is at least partially integrated into the recoater, for preheating the powder material.

2. Recoater according to claim 1, wherein a heating device for heating of the blade is provided.

3. Recoater according to claim 1, wherein the recoater comprises a device for fluidizing the powder material with preheated gas.

4. Recoater according to claim 3, wherein a device for preheating the gas outside the recoater is provided.

5. Recoater according to claim 3, wherein a device for preheating the gas is integrated into the recoater.

6. Recoater according to claim 1, wherein the recoater comprises a reservoir chamber, the walls of which are heatable with a heating device.

7. Recoater according to claim 1, wherein the recoater comprises a resistance heater.

8. Recoater according to claim 1, wherein the recoater comprises a radiant heater for preheating the powder.

9. Recoater according to claim 1, further comprising a control device with which the temperature of the recoater can be controlled.

10. Device for the manufacturing of a three-dimensional object by solidifying of layers of a powder material at locations corresponding to the respective cross section of the object comprising

a recoater according to claim 1 moveable across a building area.

11. Method for the manufacturing of a three-dimensional object comprising the steps of:

applying a layer of a powder material onto the surface of a building area by means of a recoater;

solidifying the layer at locations corresponding to the cross-section of the object by means of introducing electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation;

repeating the steps (a) and (b) until the three-dimensional object is completed,

wherein the powder material is preheated prior to or during applying the layer in step (a) with a heating device being at least partly integrated into the recoater.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the powder material is applied in step (a) with a recoater with a heatable blade by moving the recoater across the building area and

the preheating of the powder material takes place during applying through the heated blade.

13. Method according to claim 11, wherein the powder material with a recoater is applied with a fluidizing chamber and

the powder is preheated prior to or during applying of the layer in the fluidizing chamber during fluidizing with preheated gas.

14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the recoater comprises a resistance heater and the preheating of the powder takes place through contact with the parts of the recoater which are heated by the resistant heater.

15. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the preheating of the powder is carried out with a radiant heater integrated in the recoater.