Device for constructing models in layers

• US 9,878,494 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2012
• Issued: 01/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Original Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Inventors: Hartmann, Andreas Dominik, Ederer, Ingo
• Primary Examiner(s): Tucker, Philip
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Jr., Jimmy R
• Application Number:
  US14/241,576
• Publication Number:
  US 20140306379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,980 Days
• Field of Search: 425375
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/106 using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/118 using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/124 using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
• 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 64/209 Heads; Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/227 Driving means
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/232 for motion along the axis orthogonal to the plane of a layer
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/236 for motion in a direction within the plane of a layer
• 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 invention relates to a device for constructing models in layers. A region for constructing models, preferably a construction platform, and a material applying device (4, 5) for applying material onto the region are provided. The material applying device (4, 5) is arranged in a movable manner over the region. The material applying device (4, 5) is designed as a portal (1, 1′) such that the material applying device can be moved over the region at least via two linear guides (2) arranged at opposite sides of the region, and the material applying device is arranged around the region such that a portal (1, 1′) is formed by at least two portions that extend laterally with respect to the region. At least one additional material applying device (4, 5) for applying an additional material onto the region is provided.

Claims

1. A device for constructing models in layers comprising:

a build platform having an area for constructing models, and

a material applying device for applying material to the area are provided,

wherein the material applying device is movably situated over the area,

the material applying device is arranged to form a portal in such a way that it is movable over the area at least via two linear guides disposed on opposite sides of the area, and the material applying device is disposed around the area in such a way that a first portal is formed with at least two sections which are laterally located with respect to the area, wherein the device for constructing models includes at least one additional material applying device for applying an additional material to the area arranged to form a second portal;

wherein the material applying device and the additional material applying device independently move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the build platform.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first portal and the second portal are independently moveable along the same or different linear guides.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein each of the first and second portals includes a portal part which is substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the build platform and connects the corresponding material applying device to one of the linear guides, wherein the movements of the material applying device and the additional material applying device in the direction substantially perpendicular to the build platform includes a movement along the corresponding portal part.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein a light source, a radiation source, or a heat source is provided on one of the portals or on one or more additional portals.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein a light source, a radiation source, or a heat source is provided on one of the portals or on one or more additional portals.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein a light source, a radiation source, or a heat source is provided on one of the portals or on one or more additional portals.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the additional material applying device has engagement with an additional linear guide for moving the second portal.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the material applying devices include a particulate material coating device, a print head, an extruder, a film coater, or any combination thereof.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one material applying device, light source, radiation source or heat source is movably disposed over the area.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein a movement of either of the material applying devices, the light source, radiation source, heat source takes place along parts lateral to the first portal, the second portal, or an additional portal.

11. The device of claim 1, characterized in that one of the portals is able to pass under the other portal.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one peripheral device is furthermore disposed in the device.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein

the second portal is moved by an engagement of the additional material applying device with an additional linear guide;

one of the material applying devices include a particulate material coating device and the other material applying device includes a print head;

a movement of each of the material applying devices takes place along parts lateral to the first or second portal; and

one of the first and second portals is able to pass over the other.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein at least one peripheral device is furthermore disposed in the device at a fixed height and is capable of being approached at the fixed height by the portal of the particulate material coating device independently of a build height.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein

the build platform and the linear guides are stationary in at least the vertical direction;

and

the portal has a first opening that changes in area with the movement of the material applying device perpendicular to the build platform and the second portal has a second opening that changes in area with the movement of the additional material applying device perpendicular to the build platform, wherein the areas of the first and second openings are capable of changing independently.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the material application device and the additional material application device each moves independently in a direction perpendicular to the linear guides.

17. A device for the layered construction of models comprising:

i) a region for the construction of the models,

ii) a first material application device for applying material onto the region, wherein the first material application device is arranged so as to be movable over the region, and the first material application device being arranged as a first portal such that it can be moved in a horizontal direction over the region via at least two linear guides arranged on opposite sides of the region, and the first material application device is further arranged around the region such that the first portal is formed with at least two portions extending laterally of the region; and

iii) a second material application device for applying a further material onto the region, wherein the second material application device is provided at a second portal;

wherein the first and second material application devices are movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to a construction platform in the region, wherein the second portal is in engagement with a further linear guide, and the first and second portals are independently movable on different linear guides.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein a light source, a radiation source, or a heat source is provided on the first portal, the second portal, or a different portal.

19. A device for the layered construction of models comprising:

i) a region for the construction of the models,

ii) a first material application device for applying material onto the region, wherein the first material application device is arranged so as to be movable over the region, and the first material application device being arranged as a first portal such that it can be moved in a horizontal direction over the region via at least two linear guides arranged on opposite sides of the region, and the first material application device is further arranged around the region such that the first portal is formed with at least two portions extending laterally of the region; and

iii) a second material application device for applying a further material onto the region, wherein the second material application device is provided at a second portal;

wherein the first and second material application devices are movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to a construction platform in the region, and the first and second portals are independently movable on different linear guides;

wherein the first material application device includes a particulate material coating device and the second material application device includes a print head, an extruder, or a film coater, and the first material application device moves under the second material application device, or the second material application device moves under the first material application device.

20. A device for constructing models in layers comprising:

a build platform having an area for constructing models;

a first material applying device for applying a first material to the area, wherein the first material applying device is movably situated over the area;

a second material applying device for applying a second material to the area, wherein the second material applying device is movably situated over the area;

at least two linear guides disposed on opposite sides of the area;

wherein the first material applying device includes a coater device, is arranged to form a first portal, and includes a first pair of lateral parts extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to the build platform connecting the coater device to two of the linear guides, wherein the coater device moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the build platform along the first pair of lateral parts, and moves along the linear guides for traveling over the build platform;

wherein the second material applying device includes a print head, an extruder, or a film coater, is arranged to form a second portal, and includes a second pair of lateral parts extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to the build platform connecting the print head, the extruder, or the film coater to two of the linear guides, wherein the print head, the extruder, or the film coater moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the build platform along the second pair of lateral parts, and moves along the linear guides for traveling over the build platform.