Device and method for producing three-dimensional models
First Claim
1. An apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process comprising:
- a stationary build platform having a base surface for application of a build material including a particulate material and a liquid material;
a support frame arranged around the build platform, to which said support frame is attached;
i) at least one coater device for dosing the particulate material over the build platform; and
ii) a receiving container for receiving the particulate material and for filling the coater device with the particulate material;
at least two vertical positioning units for moving the support frame in a vertical direction; and
a material feeding device for supplying the particulate material in batches from a material storage device to the receiving container;
wherein the coater device is attached to the support frame via guiding elements;
the coater device and the receiving container move in the vertical direction with the movement of the support frame;
the material feeding device has a fixed feeding location positioned below the stationary material storage device and a discharge location positioned above the receiving container and movable in at least the vertical direction as the support frame moves vertically;
wherein the material feeding device includes a lifting device that moves a crucible to a height that adjusts as the support frame moves vertically.
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Accused Products
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. In so doing, the device provides a material feeding device having a particle material container to supply particulate material in batches from the storage area to the dosing apparatus and to do so with the least possible amount of shearing forces and without significant interaction with the atmosphere.
303 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process comprising:
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a stationary build platform having a base surface for application of a build material including a particulate material and a liquid material; a support frame arranged around the build platform, to which said support frame is attached; i) at least one coater device for dosing the particulate material over the build platform; and ii) a receiving container for receiving the particulate material and for filling the coater device with the particulate material; at least two vertical positioning units for moving the support frame in a vertical direction; and a material feeding device for supplying the particulate material in batches from a material storage device to the receiving container; wherein the coater device is attached to the support frame via guiding elements;
the coater device and the receiving container move in the vertical direction with the movement of the support frame;
the material feeding device has a fixed feeding location positioned below the stationary material storage device and a discharge location positioned above the receiving container and movable in at least the vertical direction as the support frame moves vertically;wherein the material feeding device includes a lifting device that moves a crucible to a height that adjusts as the support frame moves vertically. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process comprising:
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a build platform having a base surface for application of a build material including a particulate material and a liquid material; a support frame arranged around the build platform having guiding elements, to which said support frame is attached; i) at least one coater device for dosing the particulate material onto the build platform; ii) a receiving container for receiving the particulate material and for filling the coater device with the particulate material; and iii) a print head device for printing the liquid material using individually controlled nozzles for bonding the particulate material; at least two vertical positioning units for moving the support frame in a vertical direction perpendicular to the base surface of the build platform; a stationary material storage device for storing the particulate material, and a material feeding device for supplying the particulate material in batches from the material storage device to the receiving container, wherein the material feeding device has a fixed feeding location positioned below the stationary material storage device, and a discharge location positioned above the receiving container and movable in at least the vertical direction as the support frame moves vertically; wherein the coater device and the print head are attached to the support frame via the guiding elements; wherein the coater device, the print head and the receiving container move in the vertical direction with the movement of the support frame; and wherein the material feeding device includes a conveying crucible for moving the particulate material vertically and a lifting device that moves the conveying crucible to a height that adjusts as the support frame moves vertically. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification