Device for manufacturing models layer by layer

• US 7,004,222 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2001
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Exone GMBH (Desktop Metal, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Alexander Kudernatsch, Bernhard Graf, Höchsmann, Rainer, Ingo Ederer
• Inventors: Höchsmann, Rainer, Ederer, Ingo, Graf, Bernhard, Kudernatsch, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Lin, Kuang Y.
• Application Number:
  US10/381,550
• Publication Number:
  US 20040035542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,619 Days
• Field of Search: 164/4.1, 164/154.1, 164/155.1, 164/412, 264/113, 425/145
• US Class Current: 164/155.1
• CPC Class Codes: B22C 7/00 Patterns; Manufacture thereof so far as not provided for in other classes
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 12/10 Auxiliary heating means
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 31/006 Handling moulds, e.g. between a mould store and a moulding machine movable moulds B29C33/34; for injection moulding B29C45/1756
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 31/044 with moving heads for distributing liquid or viscous material into the moulds
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/34 Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/135 the energy source being concentrated, e.g. scanning lasers or focused light sources
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/153 using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
• 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: B33Y 40/00 Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 10/25 Process efficiency

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for manufacturing models layer by layer. The inventive device comprises a frame (1), a vertically adjustable and exchangeable workpiece platform (17)m and a device for feeding the material comprising a coating applicator (4). Said coating applicator (4) serves to feed material from a storage container to a process zone above the workpiece platform (17), said workpiece platform (17) being fixed in the device at least during manufacturing of a model. The workpiece platform (17) is introduced on the one side of the device and extracted on the other side of the device.

Claims

1. A device for pattern building in layers, comprising

a frame defining a workspace within the frame;

a workpiece platform for defining a building area, and being positioned within the frame and being height adjustable during pattern building for building a metal casting mold in layers;

a storage bin situated in a workspace above the workpiece platform and serving as a source of a feed material including a moulding sand;

a material feeder for delivering the feed material including the moulding sand from the storage bin to the workpiece platform;

a feed material spreader including means for balancing out sag of the spreader along its length; and

a dispenser for fluidly spraying a liquid agent to the moulding sand, which is delivered to the workpiece platform, for chemically hardening a resin and moulding sand admixture,

wherein the building area is essentially rectangular, and has a pair of longer edges and a pair of shorter edges when viewed from the top, and the spreader is arranged to translate along at least one of the shorter edges of the rectangular cross-section of the workpiece platform.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising means for loading the workpiece platform loaded into the device from one side and unloading the workpiece platform from another side of the device.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for loading and unloading includes a conveyor.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a job box for receiving the workpiece platform.

5. The device of claim 2, further comprising a job box for receiving the workpiece platform.

6. The device of claim 3, further comprising a job box for receiving the workpiece platform.

7. The device of claim 4 including catches associated with the job box for engaging recesses in the workpiece platform from underneath.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a vibrating conveyor for dispensing the feed material including the moulding sand.

9. The device of claim 3, further comprising a vibrating conveyor for dispensing the feed material including the moulding sand and a vacuum feeder for delivering the feed material to the storage bin.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the workpiece platform is interchangeable with at least one other workpiece platform.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the feed material spreader includes a polished steel strip.

12. The device of claim 3, wherein the feed material spreader includes a polished steel strip.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the workspace is rectangular in horizontal cross section.

14. The device of claim 3, wherein the workspace is rectangular in horizontal cross section.

15. The device of claim 7, wherein the workspace is rectangular in horizontal cross section.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein the workspace is rectangular in horizontal cross section.

17. A device for building a metal casting patterns in layers, comprising:

a frame defining a rectangular workspace within the frame;

a workpiece platform for defining a building area, which platform is interchangeable with at least one other workpiece platform, being positioned within the frame and being height adjustable during operation for building a metal casting patterns in layers;

at least one motor for adjusting the height of the workpiece platform during operation;

a storage bin situated in a workspace above the workpiece platform and serving as a source of a feed material including a moulding sand;

a material feeder for vibratingly delivering the feed material including the moulding sand from the storage bin to the workpiece platform;

a steel strip feed material spreader including means for balanced out to prevent sag of the spreader along its length; and

an ink-jet dispenser for spraying an agent to the moulding sand on the workpiece platform, for chemically hardening a resin and moulding sand admixture,

wherein the building area is essentially rectangular, and has a pair of longer edges and a pair of shorter edges when viewed from the top, and the spreader is arranged to translate along at least one of the shorter edges of the rectangular cross-section of the workpiece platform.