Device for producing three-dimensional models
First Claim
1. A method for manufacturing three-dimensional models using a 3D printing process comprising the steps of:
- a) transporting a first amount of a particulate material from a stationary material storage device to a first vertical position using a material feeding device for delivering the particulate material to a receiving container that is attached to a support frame so that the receiving container moves with the support frame in a vertical direction;
b) filling a dosing unit on the support frame with the particulate material in the receiving container;
c) depositing one or more layers of the particle material from the dosing unit onto a stationary build platform;
d) elevating the support frame, the dosing unit, and the receiving container in the vertical direction after depositing each layer of the particulate material by one particle layer thickness; and
e) transporting a second amount of the particulate material from the material storage device to a second vertical position using the material feeding device for delivering the particulate material to the receiving container, wherein the second vertical position is offset from the first vertical position;
wherein the method includes mixing the particulate material with a liquid prior to transporting the particulate material from the material storage device.
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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.
302 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for manufacturing three-dimensional models using a 3D printing process comprising the steps of:
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a) transporting a first amount of a particulate material from a stationary material storage device to a first vertical position using a material feeding device for delivering the particulate material to a receiving container that is attached to a support frame so that the receiving container moves with the support frame in a vertical direction; b) filling a dosing unit on the support frame with the particulate material in the receiving container; c) depositing one or more layers of the particle material from the dosing unit onto a stationary build platform; d) elevating the support frame, the dosing unit, and the receiving container in the vertical direction after depositing each layer of the particulate material by one particle layer thickness; and e) transporting a second amount of the particulate material from the material storage device to a second vertical position using the material feeding device for delivering the particulate material to the receiving container, wherein the second vertical position is offset from the first vertical position; wherein the method includes mixing the particulate material with a liquid prior to transporting the particulate material from the material storage device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for manufacturing three-dimensional models using a 3D printing process comprising the steps of:
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a) transporting a first amount of a particulate material from a stationary material storage device to a first vertical position using a material feeding device for delivering the particulate material to a receiving container that is attached to a support frame so that the receiving container moves with the support frame in a vertical direction; b) filling a dosing unit on the support frame with the particulate material in the receiving container; c) depositing one or more layers of the particle material from the dosing unit onto a stationary build platform; d) elevating the support frame, the dosing unit, and the receiving container in the vertical direction after depositing each layer of the particulate material by one particle layer thickness; and e) transporting a second amount of the particulate material from the material storage device to a second vertical position using the material feeding device for delivering the particulate material to the receiving container, wherein the second vertical position is offset from the first vertical position; wherein the dosing device is a coater device that moves over the build platform in a horizontal direction; the particulate material being transported by the material feeding device includes many individual particles, wherein the many individual particles generally move together at the same instantaneous velocity, and the many individual particles are supported by one or more surfaces of the material feeding device and move with the support surface at the same instantaneous velocity.
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12. A method for manufacturing three-dimensional models using a 3D printing process comprising the steps of:
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a) transporting a first amount of a particulate material from a stationary material storage device to a first vertical position using a material feeding device for delivering the particulate material to a receiving container that is attached to a support frame so that the receiving container moves with the support frame in a vertical direction; b) filling a dosing unit on the support frame with the particulate material in the receiving container; c) depositing one or more layers of the particle material from the dosing unit onto a stationary build platform; d) elevating the support frame, the dosing unit, and the receiving container in the vertical direction after depositing each layer of the particulate material by one particle layer thickness; and e) transporting a second amount of the particulate material from the material storage device to a second vertical position using the material feeding device for delivering the particulate material to the receiving container, wherein the second vertical position is offset from the first vertical position; wherein the dosing device is a coater device that moves over the build platform in a horizontal direction; and wherein the particulate material is mixed with a liquid medium prior to being deposited as a layer over the build surface.
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13. A method for manufacturing three-dimensional models using a 3D printing process comprising the steps of:
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a) transporting a first amount of a particulate material from a stationary material storage device to a first vertical position using a material feeding device for delivering the particulate material to a receiving container that is attached to a support frame so that the receiving container moves with the support frame in a vertical direction; b) filling a dosing unit on the support frame with the particulate material in the receiving container; c) depositing one or more layers of the particle material from the dosing unit onto a stationary build platform; d) elevating the support frame, the dosing unit, and the receiving container in the vertical direction after depositing each layer of the particulate material by one particle layer thickness; and e) transporting a second amount of the particulate material from the material storage device to a second vertical position using the material feeding device for delivering the particulate material to the receiving container, wherein the second vertical position is offset from the first vertical position; wherein the dosing device is a coater device that moves over the build platform in a horizontal direction; and wherein the material feeding device has an incline angle, wherein the incline angle changes as the vertical position of the coater device is changed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification