DEVICE FOR PRODUCING THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELS WITH SPECIAL BUILDING PLATFORMS AND DRIVE SYSTEMS

• US 20150224718A1
• Filed: 05/17/2013
• Published: 08/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Original Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Inventors: Ederer, Ingo, Hartmann, Andreas Dominik
• Granted Patent: US 10,059,062 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 10/28 Powder bed fusion, e.g. selective laser melting [SLM] or electron beam melting [EBM]
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/226 for rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/33 translatory in the deposition plane
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/37 Rotatable
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/50 Means for feeding of material, e.g. heads
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/141 using only solid materials
• 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 64/176 Sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/245 Platforms or substrates support structures intended to be sacrificed after manufacture B29C64/40
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/40 Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2103/00 Use of resin-bonded materials as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/251 Particles, powder or granules expandable particles B29K2105/046
• 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: Y02P 10/25 Process efficiency

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing three-dimensional models in a continuous process, comprising a build surface which has a first end in the direction of movement and a second end in the direction of movement, at least one dosing device and at least one solidification unit, characterized in that the build surface is designed to transport heavy components, and the components are transportable over the build surface essentially without distortion, and also comprising a method therefor.

Claims

1. A device for producing three-dimensional models, preferably in a continuous process, comprising a build surface which has a particulate material feedstock, including a first end and a second end in the direction of movement, at least one dosing device and at least one solidification unit, characterized in that the build surface is designed to transport heavy components, and the particulate material feedstock is transportable over the build surface essentially without distortion.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the build surface is a horizontal, continuous and/or open conveyor belt, designed as a rotating platform or as a step conveyor.

3. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the build surface, including the first and second ends of the particulate material feedstock, is transportable at the same speed and the same feed.

4. A device according to claim 1 characterized in that the deviation in feed between the first and second ends of the building platform is less than 1 mm.

5. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the conveyor belt rests and runs on continuous or/and lateral rollers.

6. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the conveyor belt has at least one middle support, the support preferably comprising air cushions or/and friction bearings or/and rollers or/and ball casters.

7. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the conveyor belt has individual links, preferably connected by hinges, the links having gripping elements which are driven by worm gear or guide mechanisms.

8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that the gripping elements are gripped and positioned by means of horizontally positionable or oscillating or rotating grippers or/and barbed hooks or/and magnets or/and vacuum grippers.

9. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that an area of the conveyor belt is transported on a liftable base by means of friction engagement or cohesion of solid bodies.

10. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the conveyor belt is driven by means of at least one continuous roller or, on both sides, by means of at least two lateral rollers.

11. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that an area of the conveyor belt is transported by means of magnetic fields.

12. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the building platform is automotively driven, preferably on overhead rails or free-moving.

13. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the hinges have only limited mobility transversely to the conveyance direction.

14. A device according o claim 2, characterized in that roller tracks added to the device.

15. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that a horizontal, movable build surface for applying build material is provided, and a build space is disposed around it, on which at least one dosing device for particulate material and one solidification unit for particulate material are mounted by means of linear guides, and the horizontal build space [is provided] in a Z direction, i.e., at a certain angle to the transport device, which is smaller than the angle of repose of the build material, the angle being preferably <

30°

.

16. A device according to claim 15, characterized in that the build surface rotates around a vertical axis.

17. A method for producing three-dimensional models in a continuous process, comprising the steps:

a) building the model in layers on a building platform in a firs position, a first Dyer being applied;

b) transferring the model from the first position to a second position by feeding after the first layer is built, the building platform which has a first front end and a second rear end, being transported with the model;

c) building a further layer on the model on the platform;

d) transferring the model on the building platform to another position; and

repeating steps a) through d), the transfer being preferably carried out with the aid of a step conveyor, the step conveyor preferably having lifting and thrusting grates.

18. A method for producing three-dimensional models according to claim 17, characterized in that the model on the building platform is transferred from the first position to the second position without distortion.

19. A method for producing three-dimensional models according to claim 17, characterized in that the building platform with the model is evenly transferred from the first position to the second position and any further position essentially without deviations in feed between the first and second ends of the building platform.

20. A method for producing three-dimensional models according to claim 19, characterized in that the deviation in feed between the first and second ends of the building platform from the first position to the second position and any further position is less than 0.1 mm