DEVICE FOR CONSTRUCTING MODELS IN LAYERS

• US 20140306379A1
• Filed: 08/29/2012
• Published: 10/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Original Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Inventors: Hartmann, Andreas Dominik, Ederer, Ingo
• Granted Patent: US 9,878,494 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/401
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/106 using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/118 using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/124 using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/165 using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/209 Heads; Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/227 Driving means
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/232 for motion along the axis orthogonal to the plane of a layer
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/236 for motion in a direction within the plane of a layer
• 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 invention relates to a device for constructing models in layers. A region for constructing models, preferably a construction platform, and a material applying device (4, 5) for applying material onto the region are provided. The material applying device (4, 5) is arranged in a movable manner over the region. The material applying device (4, 5) is designed as a portal (1, 1′) such that the material applying device can be moved over the region at least via two linear guides (2) arranged at opposite sides of the region, and the material applying device is arranged around the region such that a portal (1, 1′) is formed by at least two portions that extend laterally with respect to the region. At least one additional material applying device (4, 5) for applying an additional material onto the region is provided.

Claims

1. A device for constructing models in layers, wherein an area for constructing models, preferably a budding platform, and a material applying device for applying material to the area are provided, the material applying device being movably situated over the area, the material applying device is disposed as a portal in such a way that it is movable over the area at least via two linear guides disposed on opposite sides of the area, and the material applying device is disposed around the area in such a way that a portal is formed with at least two sections which extend laterally with respect to the area, characterized in that at least one additional material applying device is provided for applying an additional material to the area.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional material applying device is also provided on the portal.

3. The device according to one of claim 1, characterized in that the additional material applying device is provided on an additional portal.

4. The device of claim 1, characterized in that a light source, a radiation source and/or a heat source is/are provided on one of the portals or on additional portals.

5. The device of claim 1, characterized in that a light source, a radiation source and/or a heat source is/are provided on one of the portals or on additional portals.

6. The device of claim 1, characterized in that the additional portal is in engagement with an additional linear guide.

7. The device of claim 1, characterized in that the material applying devices include a particulate material coating device and/or a print head and/or an extruder and/or a film coater.

8. The device of claim 1, characterized in that at least one material applying device, light source, radiation source and/or heat source is/are movably disposed essentially perpendicularly to the area.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that a movement of the material applying device, the light source, radiation source and/or heat source may take place along lateral portal parts.

10. The device of claim 1, characterized in that the portals are able to pass under or over each other.

11. The device of claim 1, characterized in that at least one peripheral device is furthermore disposed in the device and may be approached by the portals independently of a build height.

15. The method of claim 1, characterized in that multiple independent portals perform different building processes simultaneously.

16. The method of claim 1, characterized in that multiple independent portals perform a common building process at the same time.

12. A method for constructing models in layers, wherein an area for constructing models, preferably a building platform, and at least one material applying device for applying material to the area are provided, the material applying device moving over the area, the material applying device is disposed as a portal in such a way that it moves over the area at least along two linear guides disposed on opposite sides of the area, and the material applying device is disposed around the area in such a way that a portal is formed with at least two sections extended laterally with respect to the area, characterized in that at least one additional material applying device is provided as needed on an additional portal and an additional material is applied to the area.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that at least two portals are able to pass under or over each other during or after a process step.

14. The method of claim 12, characterized in that the material applying device also moves essentially perpendicularly to the surface.