Transport container

• US 8,905,744 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2010
• Issued: 12/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sintermask GmbH
• Original Assignee: Sintermask GmbH
• Inventors: Fruth, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Del Sole, Joseph S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sultana, Nahida
• Application Number:
  US13/262,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20120119399A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,714 Days
• Field of Search: 425/182, 425/174.4, 425/385, 264/308, 264/112, 264/401
• US Class Current: 425/174.4
• 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 64/245 Platforms or substrates support structures intended to be sacrificed after manufacture B29C64/40
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/379 Handling of additively manufactured objects, e.g. using robots

Abstract

A transport container for use in a device for producing a three-dimensional object of selective solidification of a build-up material deposited in layers, in which the device has a process chamber closed during operation, where the three-dimensional object is produced in layers. The transport container has a container, in which a height-adjustable platform is arranged, on which the three-dimensional object is produced in layers. The process chamber has first and second sections in which the second section can be separated from the first section and operated in a separate state independently from the device and also can be connected to the first section to produce an operating state of the device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for making a three-dimensional object by selective solidification of a build material which is applied in layers, the apparatus comprising:

a process chamber, closed in an operating state, for containing the three-dimensional object, said process chamber having a first section and a second section;

said second section having a vertically displaceable platform for supporting the three dimensional object;

said second section having a receptacle including said vertically displaceable platform;

said second section being constructed as a transport container separable from said first section in a segregated state, said second section for being handled independent of the apparatus, said second section being connectable to said first section for use in the operating stage of the apparatus, said second section including connecting elements for mechanically connecting said second section to said first section, and said first section including connecting elements for coacting with said connecting elements of said second section;

said connecting elements of said second section including sealing elements to form a pressure-tight mechanical connection with respect to the surrounding environment section.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second section includes a device for vertical displacement of said platform.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein further connecting elements of said second section also establish at least one of an electrical and thermal connection of said first section simultaneously with the mechanical connection.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second section includes at least one of a temperature sensor and a heating device and a cooling device to control temperature of said receptacle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second section has an identifying element to distinguish said second section from other second sections.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, including a reading device to automatically detect an identifying element of a second section.

7. A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, comprising the following steps:

providing an apparatus according to claim 1;

using the apparatus for selectively solidifying a build material by applying the material layers;

closing the process chamber in the operating state during which the three-dimensional object is being manufactured;

after one of partially or completely manufacturing the object, segregating the transport container from the first section into a segregated state; and

using the transport container independently of the apparatus.

8. The method according to claim 7, including the further steps of:

after segregating the transport container from the apparatus, connecting the transport container to a second apparatus, for continuing manufacture of the same or another object.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein after segregating the transport container from the apparatus, reconnecting the transport container to the apparatus without any manufacturing of the object during the period of segregation.

10. The method according to claim 9, including the further step of applying a process for treating the object in the receptacle of the transport container between the period of segregating and reconnecting the transport container relative to the apparatus.