METHOD FOR PRODUCING THREE-DIMENSIONAL COMPONENTS

• US 20120113439A1
• Filed: 07/01/2008
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Original Assignee: Voxeljet Technology
• Inventors: Ederer, Ingo
• Granted Patent: US 9,505,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.9
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 1/10 Metallic powder containing lubricating or binding agents; Metallic powder containing organic material
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 10/20 Direct sintering or melting
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 10/47 characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 10/60 Treatment of workpieces or articles after build-up
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 10/68 Cleaning or washing
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/88 Handling of additively manufactured products, e.g. by robots
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 3/14 simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/40 Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 40/20 Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 1/1084 by mechanical alloying (blending, milling)
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 29/06 based on carbides, but not containing other metal compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 32/0052 only carbides
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 10/25 Process efficiency

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional components, using a three-dimensional printing method, an auxiliary structure being additionally formed beyond an extension of the one or more components during the construction of components. The invention also relates to an auxiliary structure for components produced by means of three-dimensional printing methods, the auxiliary structure being constructed along with the component and extending beyond a dimension of the one or more components.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A method for producing three-dimensional components, using a three-dimensional printing method, wherein an auxiliary structure is additionally formed beyond an extension of the one or more components during the construction of components, and this auxiliary structure lies at least partially outside a projection area of the one or more components projected onto a build platform and does not come into direct contact with the build platform.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the auxiliary structure holds all components connected thereto by the force of its own weight.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the auxiliary structure is additionally constructed in such a way that at least two simultaneously constructed components are connected to each other.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the auxiliary structure includes materials of the component.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein multiple layers of components are formed.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein a separate auxiliary structure is formed on each layer of components.

22. The method according to claim 16, wherein predetermined break points are formed at junctions between the component and auxiliary structure.

23. An auxiliary structure for components produced by means of three-dimensional printing methods, wherein the auxiliary structure is constructed along with the component and extends beyond a dimension of the one or more components and lies at least partially outside a projection area of the one or more components projected onto a build platform and is not in direct contact with the build platform.

24. The auxiliary structure according to claim 23 wherein the auxiliary structure holds all components connected thereto by the force of its own weight.

25. The auxiliary structure according to claim 23, wherein the auxiliary structure forms a holder or a coupling device.

26. The auxiliary structure according to claim 23, wherein the auxiliary structure connects at least two components of a component layer.

27. The auxiliary structure according to claim 23, wherein all constructed components are connected to the auxiliary structure.

28. The auxiliary structure according to claim 23, wherein the auxiliary structure is connected directly or indirectly to the one or more components.

29. The auxiliary structure according to claim 23, wherein the auxiliary structure largely surrounds one or more components to be formed.

30. The auxiliary structure according to one of claim 23, wherein the auxiliary structure has a different color than the component.