Device for producing three-dimensional models

• US 9,174,391 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2011
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Original Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Inventors: Hartmann, Andreas Dominik, Ederer, Ingo
• Primary Examiner(s): Sanders, James
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shafi, Leith S
• Application Number:
  US13/583,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20130004610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,681 Days
• Field of Search: 425/63, 425/78, 425/110, 425/375, 425/472, 425/162, 425/174.4, 425/470, 211/1.57, 248/637, 108/20, 264/460, 264/113, 264/308, 264/401, 264/33
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 64/25 Housings, e.g. machine housings
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for manufacturing three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process, whereby a build platform for application of build material is provided and a support frame is arranged around the build platform, to which said support frame at least one device for dosing the particulate material and one device for bonding the particulate material is attached via the guiding elements and the support frame is moveable in a Z direction, which essentially means perpendicular to the base surface of the build platform, said movement provided by at least two vertical positioning units on the support frame. In this respect, it is provided that the positioning units are respectively separate components and are arrangeable on the support frame independently from one another and the location and orientation of such can be adjusted independently from one another.

Claims

1. A device for manufacturing three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process comprising:

a build platform having a base surface for application of a build material is provided, wherein the build material includes a particulate material,

a support frame arranged around the build platform, wherein the support frame includes x-direction positioning units extending in an x-direction,

at least one particulate material dosing component for dosing the particulate material, wherein the particulate material dosing component is attached to the support frame via the x-direction positioning units, and

at least two vertical positioning units on the support frame, wherein each vertical positioning unit includes a drive motor;

wherein the support frame is moveable in a z-direction, wherein the z-direction is substantially perpendicular to the base surface of the build platform, said movement provided by the at least two vertical positioning units on the support frame,

wherein every vertical positioning unit has at least three vertically adjustable feet,

wherein all of the vertical positioning units are embodied as separate components that can be arranged independently of one another on the support frame and whose location and orientation can be adjusted independently of one another.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two vertical positioning units includes a first vertical positioning unit and a second vertical positioning unit connected by means of a supporting structure, wherein the first vertical positioning unit can be arranged independently of the second vertical positioning unit in the x-direction.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the supporting structure is flexibly deformable.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the support frame includes a first side having at least two suspension points spaced apart in the x-direction, and an opposing second side having at least two suspension points spaced apart in the x-direction, wherein the support frame is engaged at each suspension point by a different vertical positioning unit and is independently moveable in the z-direction.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the suspension points of the support frame are bessel points.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein each vertical positioning unit includes a linear thrust unit having a linear actuator, the drive motor and a linear guide.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the drive motors are coupled with each other via an electronic gantry system.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical positioning units have plates that are connected with each other by means of one or more attachment features selected from the group consisting of pins, screws, bolts, rivets, and adhesives.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical position units have plates connected with each other, where in the plates have an optimized contour to absorb high forces.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the support frame engages with the vertical positioning units by means of bearing pins and ball-joint pivoting bearings.

11. The device according to claim 2, wherein every vertical positioning unit engages with the support frame at a suspension point and is independently moveable in the z-direction.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the number of vertical positioning units is at least four, and the device includes a single build platform.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the build material includes a liquid bonding material for bonding the particulate material, and the device includes a liquid dosing component that includes a print head, wherein the liquid dosing component is attached to the support frame via x-direction positioning units.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two vertical positioning units includes a first vertical positioning unit and a second vertical positioning unit connected by a first floor frame and a third vertical positioning unit and a fourth vertical positioning unit connected by a second floor frame.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein the support frame includes a first side having at least two suspension points and an opposing second side having at least two suspension points, wherein the support frame is engaged at each suspension point by a different vertical positioning units and is independently moveable in the z-direction, and

wherein the suspension points of the support frame are bessel points.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the vertical positioning unit includes a linear thrust unit having a linear actuator, the drive motor and a linear guide.

15. A device for manufacturing three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process comprising:

a build platform having a base surface for application of a build material, wherein the build material includes a particulate material and a bonding material;

a support frame arranged around the build platform, wherein the support frame includes x-direction positioning units extending in an x-direction,

at least one particle dosing component for dosing the particulate material wherein the particle dosing component is attached to the support frame via x-direction positioning units,

a bonding material dosing component for dosing the bonding material, wherein the bonding material dosing component is attached to the support frame via x-direction positioning units, and

at least two vertical positioning units attached to the support frame,

wherein the support frame is moveable in a z-direction, wherein the z-direction is substantially perpendicular to the base surface of the build platform, said movement provided by the at least two vertical positioning units on the support frame,

wherein at least two of the vertical positioning units are connected by means of a supporting structure, wherein the vertical positioning units have plates that are connected with each other by means of one or more connection components selected from the group consisting of a pins, screw, bolts, rivets, and adhesives, wherein the plates have an optimized contour to absorb high forces;

wherein all of the vertical positioning units are embodied as separate components that can be arranged independently of one another on the support frame and whose location and orientation can be adjusted independently of one another, and every vertical positioning unit engages with the support frame at a suspension point and is independently moveable in the z-direction;

wherein the suspension points of the support frame are bessel points;

wherein the supporting structure is flexibly deformable;

wherein every vertical positioning unit has at least three vertically adjustable feet;

wherein each of the vertical positioning unit includes a linear thrust unit having a linear actuator, a drive motor and a linear guide;

the drive motors drive the vertical positioning units and are coupled with each other via an electronic gantry system; and

wherein the support frame engages with the vertical positioning units by means of bearing pins and ball-joint pivoting bearings.