Method and device for producing three-dimensional models
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data including a build process comprising the steps of:
- depositing a material in layers in a process chamber on a movable build surface that is a continuous surface;
selectively solidifying and/or bonding the material using a bonding apparatus and/or a solidifying apparatus in the process chamber; and
repeating the steps of depositing and solidifying and/or bonding for layer-wise producing a build component;
wherein a conveyance of the build component proceeds during the build process and proceeds continuously, sequentially, and evenly up to an unpacking position;
wherein the repeating of the step of depositing includes depositing a first layer with a spreader device and depositing a second layer over substantially the entirety of the first layer with the same spreader device;
wherein each of the layers of the deposited material is deposited as a continuous layer on a first plane having an angle of greater than 0°
to a plane of the conveyance.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data, whereby a material is deposited in layers in a process chamber and the material is selectively solidified and/or bonded using a bonding apparatus and/or a solidifying apparatus in the process chamber, these steps being repeated. A conveyance of the material proceeds during the build process and proceeds continuously, sequentially and evenly up to an unpacking position.
354 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data including a build process comprising the steps of:
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depositing a material in layers in a process chamber on a movable build surface that is a continuous surface; selectively solidifying and/or bonding the material using a bonding apparatus and/or a solidifying apparatus in the process chamber; and repeating the steps of depositing and solidifying and/or bonding for layer-wise producing a build component; wherein a conveyance of the build component proceeds during the build process and proceeds continuously, sequentially, and evenly up to an unpacking position; wherein the repeating of the step of depositing includes depositing a first layer with a spreader device and depositing a second layer over substantially the entirety of the first layer with the same spreader device; wherein each of the layers of the deposited material is deposited as a continuous layer on a first plane having an angle of greater than 0°
to a plane of the conveyance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data including a build process comprising the steps of:
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depositing a material in layers in a process chamber on a movable build surface that is a continuous surface; selectively solidifying and/or bonding the material using a bonding apparatus and/or a solidifying apparatus in the process chamber; and repeating the steps of depositing and solidifying and/or bonding for layer-wise producing a build component; wherein a conveyance of the build component proceeds during the build process and proceeds continuously, sequentially, and evenly up to an unpacking position; wherein the repeating of the step of depositing includes depositing a first layer with a spreader device and depositing a second layer over substantially the entirety of the first layer with the same spreader device; wherein an auxiliary structures are additionally created during the layer-wise producing of the build component, which impede slipping off of the material layers during the build-up process. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data including a build process comprising the steps of:
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depositing a material in layers in a process chamber on a movable build surface that is a continuous surface; selectively solidifying and/or bonding the material using a bonding apparatus and/or a solidifying apparatus in the process chamber; and repeating the steps of depositing and solidifying and/or bonding for layer-wise producing a build component; wherein a conveyance of the build component proceeds during the build process and proceeds continuously, sequentially, and evenly up to an unpacking position; wherein the repeating of the step of depositing includes depositing a first layer with a spreader device and depositing a second layer over substantially the entirety of the first layer with the same spreader device; wherein the build component is moved with an angle to horizontal.
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20. A method for continuously producing three-dimensional objects comprising steps of:
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using computer-provided data, depositing a material on a movable material reception means including a movable build surface that is a continuous surface, forming an object or multiple objects by repeatedly applying layers of the material on one side of the object or multiple objects; subsequently solidifying and/or binding of the material; and
repeating the steps,wherein the object or objects on the material reception means are continuously moved out of a process area during the production process and unpacked from the movable material reception means during the production process; wherein the movable material reception means includes a support plate under the movable build surface that supports the material throughout the producing of the three-dimensional objects, including during a step of applying an initial layer of the material; wherein the material is deposited in layers on a reception plane having an angle of greater than 0°
to a plane of the support plate.
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21. A method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data including a build process comprising the steps of:
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depositing a material in layers in a process chamber on a movable build surface that is a continuous surface; selectively solidifying and/or bonding the material using a bonding apparatus and/or a solidifying apparatus in the process chamber; and repeating the steps of depositing and solidifying and/or bonding for layer-wise producing a build component; wherein a conveyance of the build component proceeds during the build process and proceeds continuously, sequentially, and evenly up to an unpacking position; wherein the repeating of the step of depositing includes depositing a first layer with a spreader device and depositing a second layer over substantially the entirety of the first layer with the same spreader device; wherein a conveyance direction essentially remains up to the unpacking position; and wherein a means for application for the material and a deposited material layer are provided so that the means for application and the material layer are moved toward each other relatively for the application of a further material layer that a reception plane of the material layer exhibits an angle of greater than 0°
to a layer plane of the means for application.
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22. A method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data including a build process comprising the steps of:
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depositing a material in layers in a process chamber on a movable build surface that is a continuous surface; selectively solidifying and/or bonding the material using a bonding apparatus and/or a solidifying apparatus in the process chamber; and repeating the steps of depositing and solidifying and/or bonding for layer-wise producing a build component; wherein a conveyance of the build component proceeds during the build process and proceeds continuously, sequentially, and evenly up to an unpacking position; wherein the repeating of the step of depositing includes depositing a first layer with a spreader device and depositing a second layer over substantially the entirety of the first layer with the same spreader device; wherein the method includes producing a first object and producing a second object above the first object, wherein the first object and the second object are produced at about the same time so that a delay in unpacking of the first object due to the need for the second object to solidify is avoided.
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23. A method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data including a build process comprising the steps of:
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depositing a material in layers in a process chamber on a movable build surface that is a continuous surface; selectively solidifying and/or bonding the material using a bonding apparatus and/or a solidifying apparatus in the process chamber; and repeating the steps of depositing and solidifying and/or bonding for layer-wise producing a build component; wherein a conveyance of the build component proceeds during the build process and proceeds continuously, sequentially, and evenly up to an unpacking position; wherein the repeating of the step of depositing includes depositing a first layer with a spreader device and depositing a second layer over substantially the entirety of the first layer with the same spreader device; wherein the method includes producing a first portion of an object and producing a second portion of an object above the first portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are produced at about the same time so that a delay in unpacking of the first portion due to the need for the second portion to solidify is avoided.
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24. A method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data including a build process comprising the steps of:
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depositing a material in layers in a process chamber on a movable build surface that is a continuous surface; selectively solidifying and/or bonding the material using a bonding apparatus and/or a solidifying apparatus in the process chamber; and repeating the steps of depositing and solidifying and/or bonding for layer-wise producing a build component; wherein a conveyance of the build component proceeds during the build process and proceeds continuously, sequentially, and evenly up to an unpacking position; wherein the repeating of the step of depositing includes depositing a first layer with a spreader device and depositing a second layer over substantially the entirety of the first layer with the same spreader device; wherein the spreader device moves along a plane angled with the conveyor belt in a direction at least partially away from the conveyor belt.
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25. A method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data including a build process comprising the steps of:
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depositing a material in layers in a process chamber on a movable build surface that is a continuous surface; selectively solidifying and/or bonding the material using a bonding apparatus and/or a solidifying apparatus in the process chamber; and repeating the steps of depositing and solidifying and/or bonding for layer-wise producing a build component; wherein a conveyance of the build component proceeds during the build process and proceeds continuously, sequentially, and evenly up to an unpacking position; wherein the repeating of the step of depositing includes depositing a first layer with a spreader device and depositing a second layer over substantially the entirety of the first layer with the same spreader device; wherein the conveyance includes a conveyance on a conveyor belt, and the print head moves at least partially in a direction away from the conveyor belt.
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26. A method for producing three-dimensional objects based on computer-provided data including a build process comprising the steps of:
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depositing a particulate material in layers in a process chamber on a movable build surface that is a continuous surface; selectively solidifying and/or bonding the particulate material using a bonding apparatus and/or a solidifying apparatus in the process chamber; and repeating the steps of depositing and solidifying and/or bonding for layer-wise producing a build component; wherein a conveyance of the build component proceeds during the build process and proceeds continuously, sequentially, and evenly up to an unpacking position; wherein the repeating of the step of depositing includes depositing a first layer with a spreader device and depositing a second layer over substantially the entirety of the first layer with the same spreader device; wherein the conveyance includes a conveyance on a conveyor belt, and a plate angled generally perpendicular to the conveyor belt prevents particulate material from running off the conveyor belt until the object has at least partially solidified. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification