Device for producing three-dimensional models

• US 8,911,226 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2011
• Issued: 12/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Original Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Inventors: Gunther, Daniel, Gunther, Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): Abraham, Amjad
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, NINH V
• Application Number:
  US13/640,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20130029001A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,345 Days
• Field of Search: 264/37.29, 264/37.1, 264/FOR.101, 264/308, 425215-218, 425/375, 425/174.4
• US Class Current: 425/375
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/00 Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto B08B9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/12 Brushes
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/165 Scrapers
• 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: B29C 64/214 Doctor blades
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/357 Recycling
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2101/00 Use of unspecified macromolecular compounds as moulding material use of unspecified rubbers B29K2021/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/16 Fillers
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2009/00 Layered products
• 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

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for manufacture of three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process, whereby a spreader device is used to deposit particulate material in layers on a build platform and the particulate material flow, which occurs perpendicular to the spreading direction, is transferred into containers that are actively cleaned by sliders or brushes at the spreader device. It exploits the fact that particulate material that is moves dynamically can only bridge small height differences. The arrangement can be implemented in a space-saving manner beneath the spreading plane.

Claims

1. A device for manufacture of models comprising:

a particulate material that is deposited in layers on a build platform by means of a spreader device and then selectively printed with a second material likewise deposited in layers and these two application steps are repeated until a desired model is achieved,

wherein the spreader device transports incurring overflow quantities of the particulate material in a direction perpendicular to a spreading direction into at least one container, wherein sliders are mounted at the spreader device and act upon the container and move the particulate material therein with the spreader device,

wherein the container is a channel running the length of the build platform in the spreading direction, the channel having a front end and an opposing rear end, wherein the front end has an opening for flow of material into a front discharge recess and/or the rear end has an opening for flow of material into a rear discharge recess, wherein the container has opposing solid side walls running the length of the build platform in the spreading direction.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one container is located along a side of the build platform, in the spreading direction.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the container is entirely located beneath a spreading plane of the particulate material.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the container is connected with the discharge recesses, which are located alongside front and rear edge of the build platform, perpendicular to the spreading direction, so that particulate material can flow from the container into the discharge recesses.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sliders are provided with brushes that act upon the container.

6. A device according to claim 2, wherein the container is entirely located beneath a spreading plane of the particulate material.

7. The device according to claim 2, wherein the container is connected with the front discharge recess and the rear discharge recess, which are located alongside the front and rear edge of the build platform, perpendicular to the spreading direction, so that particulate material can flow from the container into the recesses.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the sliders are provided with brushes that act upon the container.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the container is an open container, without a cover.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the container has a horizontal floor running the length of the build platform in the spreading direction, wherein the floor is a solid floor.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the front end of the channel has an opening that opens over the front discharge recess or the rear end of the channel has an opening that opens over the rear discharge recess.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the front end of the channel has an opening that opens over the front discharge recess and the rear end of the channel has an opening that opens over the rear discharge recess.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the container has a horizontal floor running the length of the build platform in the spreading direction, wherein the floor is a solid floor.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the container is an open container, without a cover.

15. A device for manufacture of models comprising:

a) a build platform;

b) a spreader device for depositing a particulate material in layers on the build platform;

c) a printer for selectively printing a second material in layers on the build platform;

d) at least one container for receiving overflow quantities of the particulate material; and

e) sliders mounted proximate to the spreader device so that the sliders move the overflow quantities of the particulate material with the spreader device;

wherein the spreader device transports the overflow quantities of the particulate material in a direction perpendicular to a spreading direction into the at least one container and

wherein the at least one container is located along a side of the build platform, the container is a channel running the length of the build platform in the spreading direction, the channel having a front end and an opposing rear end, wherein the front end has an opening for flow of material into a front discharge recess and/or the rear end has an opening for flow of material into a rear discharge recess, wherein the container has opposing solid side walls running the length of the build platform in the spreading direction.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the container is entirely located beneath a spreading plane of the particulate material.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the sliders are provided with brushes that act upon the container.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the container is connected with the front discharge recess and the rear discharge recess, which are located alongside the front and rear edge of the build platform, perpendicular to the spreading direction, so that particulate material can flow from the container into the recesses.