APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELS BY MEANS OF A LAYER BUILD UP TECHNIQUE

• US 20130199444A1
• Filed: 07/10/2011
• Published: 08/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Original Assignee: Voxeljet Technology GMBH (Voxeljet AG)
• Inventors: Hartmann, Andreas Dominik
• Granted Patent: US 8,956,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 118/706
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 5/02 the liquid or other fluent material being discharged through an outlet orifice by pressure, e.g. from an outlet device in contact or almost in contact, with the work
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/112 using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/227 Driving means
• 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

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for producing three-dimensional models by a layering technique, at least one print head (8) being provided for selective dispensing of at least one material onto a target surface in the form of droplets. The print head (8) is in engagement with a receptacle at two points spaced a distance apart, the position and alignment of the print head (8) relative to the target surface is steplessly adjustable in all spatial directions via these two points, and the receptacle and the target surface are movable in relation to each other.

Claims

1. A device for producing three-dimensional models by a layering technique comprising:

at least one print head being provided for selective dispensing of at least one material into a target surface in the form of droplets,

wherein the print head is in engagement with a receptacle at two points spaced a distance apart, the position and alignment of the print head in relation to the target surface is steplessly adjustable in all spatial directions via these two points, and

wherein the receptacle and the target surface are movable in relation to each other.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the print head is in engagement with the receptacle on an intrinsically rigid plate outside the print area with the aid of two retaining elements at the points.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the retaining elements are rotatably mounted in the retaining points and are, in particular, round rods.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the retaining elements are permanently connected to the receptacle.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the retaining elements are in engagement with lever arms which are disposed largely parallel to the plate.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the lever arms are each freely and steplessly adjustable on a plane of the plate with regard to the angle and perpendicularly to the plane of the plate.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the lever arms can be clamped by the retaining elements for the purpose of adjusting the position and alignment of the print head in relation to the target surface.

8. The device according to claim 3, wherein the retaining elements are in engagement with lever arms which are disposed largely parallel to the plate.

9. The device according to claim 4, wherein the retaining elements are in engagement with lever arms which are disposed largely parallel to the plate.

10. The device according to claim 6, wherein the lever arms is clamped by the retaining elements for the purpose of adjusting the position and alignment of the print head in relation to the target surface.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the lever arms is clamped by the retaining elements for the purpose of adjusting the position and alignment of the print head in relation to the target surface.

12. The device according to claim 9, wherein the lever arms is clamped by the retaining elements for the purpose of adjusting the position alignment of the print head in relation to the target surface.