METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SWITCHING A PARTICULATE MATERIAL FLOW IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MODELS IN LAYERS
First Claim
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1. A method for construction of models in layers comprising the steps of:
- applying a first layer of a particulate material to a workpiece platform using a coating device;
feeding particulate material from a filling device to the coating device through a downward facing opening in the filling device;
applying a second layer of particulate material to the workpiece platform using the coating device;
wherein the filling device includes a container having opposing first and second side walls and a connector connected to the first side wall;
wherein the first side wall has a length; and
the process includes applying excess pressure to the particulate material in the filling device through a plurality of opening along the length of the first side wall.
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method for switching a particulate material flow in the construction of models in layers, wherein particulate materials (4) are fed to a subsequent method step from a container (1) having an opening in the direction of a workpiece platform. The particles (14) in the container (1) are exposed to a vacuum and to overpressure.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for construction of models in layers comprising the steps of:
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applying a first layer of a particulate material to a workpiece platform using a coating device;
feeding particulate material from a filling device to the coating device through a downward facing opening in the filling device;applying a second layer of particulate material to the workpiece platform using the coating device; wherein the filling device includes a container having opposing first and second side walls and a connector connected to the first side wall; wherein the first side wall has a length; and the process includes applying excess pressure to the particulate material in the filling device through a plurality of opening along the length of the first side wall. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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2-7. -7. (canceled)
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8. An apparatus for production of three-dimensional models comprising:
- a workpiece platform for receiving a particulate material in layers a coating device for repeated application of the layers of the particulate material over the workpiece platform;
a print head for selectively imprinting a binder material on the layers of the particulate material; a filling device for filling the coating device with the particulate material, wherein the filling device includes a container having two opposing first and second side walls and an opening in a downward direction for feeding the particulate material to the coating device, wherein the filling device includes a means for exposing the particulate material to vacuum and/or excess pressure includes at least one connector to each of the opposing side walls for i) providing vacuum from the opposing walls to the particulate material between the two opposing side walls;
orii) providing excess pressure from each of the opposing walls to the particulate material between the two opposing side walls; wherein each of the opposing walls have have a plurality of openings for applying the vacuum and/or excess pressure along the length of the opposing side walls. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
- a workpiece platform for receiving a particulate material in layers a coating device for repeated application of the layers of the particulate material over the workpiece platform;
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9-15. -15. (canceled)
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30. An apparatus for production of three-dimensional models comprising:
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a workpiece platform for receiving a particulate material in layers; a coating device for repeated application of the layers of the particulate material over the workpiece platform; a print head for selectively imprinting a binder material on the layers of the particulate material; a filling device for filling the coating device with the particulate material, wherein the filling device includes a container having two opposing first and second side walls and an opening in a downward direction for feeding the particulate material to the coating device, wherein the filling device includes a means for exposing the particulate material to excess pressure includes a plurality of connector to the first side wall for providing excess pressure to the particulate material between the two opposing side walls; wherein the first side wall has a plurality of openings for applying the excess pressure along the length of the first side wall. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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Specification