Building container for a device and method for a layerwise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object

• US 7,674,107 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2007
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
• Original Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
• Inventors: Halder, Thomas, Perret, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): EWALD, MARIA VERONICA
• Application Number:
  US11/986,111
• Publication Number:
  US 20080230414A1
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 425/375, 425/174.4, 264/308, 264/401, 264/497, 264/113
• US Class Current: 425/375
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/153 using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/26 Sealing devices, e.g. packaging for pistons or pipe joints
• 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

Abstract

A building container (25) for a device (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer wise solidification of a building material in powder form at positions in the respective layers that correspond to the object is provided. A support device (26) is provided that is arranged in the building container (25) such that it is vertically movable, wherein the support device (26) has an upper side that forms a building platform (78), on which the three-dimensional object is generated layer wise. Between a circumferential outer edge of the building platform (78) and a circumferential inside wall (79) of the building container (25) a gap (80) is formed and a seal (81) is provided that is provided circumferentially at the building platform (78) and closes the gap (80). The seal is made from a ring of a flat flexible material having an outer diameter, which in a flat state is larger than the inner diameter of the inside wall (79). A guide plate (82) is provided that maintains the seal (81) in the region of the gap (80) in an angulated shape.

Claims

1. A building container for a device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer wise solidification of a building material in powder form at positions in the respective layers that correspond to the object, comprising:

a support device that is arranged in the building container such that it is vertically movable, wherein an upper side of the support device forms a building platform, on which the three-dimensional object is generated layer wise;

wherein

between a circumferential outer edge of the building platform and a circumferential inside wall of the building container a gap is formed; and

a seal is provided that is provided circumferentially at the building platform and closes the gap;

wherein

the seal is made from a ring of a flat, flexible material having an outer diameter, which in a flat state is larger than an inner diameter of the inside wall; and

a guide plate is provided, which holds the seal in the region of the gap in an angulated shape.

2. The building container according to claim 1, wherein the guide plate is provided circumferentially alongside the circumferential outer edge of the building platform.

3. The building container according to claim 1, wherein the seal is clamped between the guide plate and the building platform.

4. The building container according to claim 2, wherein the seal is clamped between the guide plate and the building platform.

5. The building container according to claim 1, wherein the guide plate has an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the building platform and is smaller than the inner diameter of the inside wall.

6. The building container according to claim 2, wherein the guide plate has an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the building platform and is smaller than the inner diameter of the inside wall.

7. The building container according to claim 3, wherein the guide plate has an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the building platform and is smaller than the inner diameter of the inside wall.

8. The building container according to claim 4, wherein the guide plate has an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the building platform and is smaller than the inner diameter of the inside wall.

9. The building container according to claim 1, wherein the guide plate has an angled edge that extends into the gap.

10. The building container according to claim 2, wherein the guide plate has an angled edge that extends into the gap.

11. The building container according to claim 3, wherein the guide plate has an angled edge that extends into the gap.

12. The building container according to claim 4, wherein the guide plate has an angled edge that extends into the gap.

13. The building container according to claim 5, wherein the guide plate has an angled edge that extends into the gap.

14. The building container according to claim 6, wherein the guide plate has an angled edge that extends into the gap.

15. The building container according to claim 7, wherein the guide plate has an angled edge that extends into the gap.

16. The building container according to claim 8, wherein the guide plate has an angled edge that extends into the gap.

17. The building container according to claim 1, wherein the guide plate is arranged below the building platform.

18. The building container according to claim 2, wherein the guide plate is arranged below the building platform.

19. The building container according to claim 1, wherein the seal is angulated such that its outer edge is folded into the direction of the upper side of the building container.

20. The building container according to claim 1, wherein the seal is made of silicone.