METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELS

• US 20180333781A1
• Filed: 07/13/2018
• Published: 11/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Original Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Inventors: Ederer, Ingo, Gunther, Daniel, Hartmann, Andreas Dominik
• Granted Patent: US 10,639,715 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 10/14 by jetting of binder onto a bed of metal powder
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 10/28 Powder bed fusion, e.g. selective laser melting [SLM] or electron beam melting [EBM]
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 10/43 characterised by material
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/55 Two or more means for feeding material
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/86 Serial processing with multiple devices grouped
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/88 Handling of additively manufactured products, e.g. by robots
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 3/105 by using electric current other than for infrared radiant energy, laser radiation or plasma B22F3/11 takes precedence; by ultrasonic bonding B22F3/115 takes precedence
• 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 64/165 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 64/176 Sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 10/00 Processes of additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 10/25 Process efficiency

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data. Material is extruded on a surface of a workpiece (e.g., in two-dimensions). The workpiece is then moved incrementally so that additional material can be extruded on the new surface of the work piece. These steps are repeated until the 3-dimensional object is completed. The present invention also relates to a device including an extruder system for extruding a build material in multiple directions on a surface of a workpiece, and a conveying component for moving the workpiece incrementally for extruding additional material on the new surface. The method and device preferably allows for the continuous construction of three-dimensional objects.

Claims

1. A method comprising steps of:

i. extruding a build material (e.g., one or more layers of a build material) on a surface of a workpiece;

ii. moving the workpiece in a horizontal direction;

iii. repeating steps i) and ii) until a 3-dimensional object is constructed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the workpiece is constructed on a build platform.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a length of the 3-diimensional object is greater than a length of the build platform.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes constructing a support structure under the workpiece.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the method includes a step of removing the 3-dimensional object from the workpiece.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the 3-dimensional object is constructed from a hot-melt material.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the extruder includes a nozzle.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the nozzle is computer controlled and selectively dispenses molten material.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a second nozzle is employed for extruding a second material for supporting an area of the 3-dimensional object.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second material has a lower melting temperature than a melting temperature of the molten material dispensed by the other nozzle.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the 3-dimensional object is conveyed toward an unpacking position during the construction of the 3-dimensional object.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a conveyance of the 3-dimensional object proceeds in steps.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the 3-dimensional object is constructed in a heated atmosphere.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the 3-dimensional object is constructed suing a fused deposition modeling process.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein a second of the 3-dimensional object is constructed.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the process is a continuous process wherein multiple 3-dimensional objects are constructed sequentially.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein a conveyance unit engages the workpiece and moves the workpiece forward.

18. A device comprising:

i) an extruder system including an extruder for extruding a build material onto a surface of a workpiece, for constructing a 3-dimensional object based on computer-provided data;

ii) a conveyance system for incrementally moving the workpiece in a horizontal direction so that additional build material can be extruded onto the surface of the workpiece.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the extruder system provides one or more layers of the build material, wherein each layer is a section of the workpiece.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the conveyance system engages the workpiece or an additionally extruded support structure for moving the workpiece.