METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SWITCHING A PARTICULATE MATERIAL FLOW IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MODELS IN LAYERS

• US 20120097258A1
• Filed: 06/18/2010
• Published: 04/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voxeljet AG
• Original Assignee: Voxeljet Technology GMBH (Voxeljet AG)
• Inventors: Hartmann, Andreas Dominik
• Granted Patent: US 9,174,392 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/14
• CPC Class Codes: B28B 1/001 Rapid manufacturing of 3D objects by additive depositing, agglomerating or laminating of material selective deposition modelling of metallic powder B22F10/00; rapid manufacturing of 3D objects in general and in particular of plastics B29C64/00
• CPC Class Codes: B28B 17/04 Exhausting or laying dust
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 31/02 Dispensing from vessels, e.g. hoppers into a mould cavity B29C31/04; large containers characterised by discharge means B65D88/28, B65D88/54
• 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 64/321 Feeding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/329 using hoppers
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 40/00 Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8593 Systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for switching a particulate material flow in the construction of models in layers, wherein particulate materials are fed to a subsequent method step from a container having an opening in the direction of a workpiece platform. The particles in the container are exposed to a vacuum and to overpressure.

Claims

1. A method for switching a particulate material flow in the construction of models in layers, wherein particulate materials are fed to a subsequent method step from a container having an opening in the direction of a workpiece platform and not being sealed off from its environment, wherein the particles in the container are exposed to a vacuum and to excess pressure.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum exposure in the particulate material leads to a discharge stop of the particulate material from the opening of the container and the excess pressure leads to a discharge of the particulate material from the opening of the container.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particulate material is solidified locally due to the vacuum.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein exposure to the vacuum or the excess pressure occurs by means of porous materials provided in or on the container, the pore width of which is smaller than a smallest diameter of the particulate material and that gases are supplied and extracted through the porous materials.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein nozzles are individually controllable via independent valves.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the individual control of the nozzles, in the case of one nozzle freeing up, will prevent a drop in pressure at the other nozzles.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein generating of the excess pressure, gases are introduced into the particulate material.

19. The method according to claim 2, wherein the particulate material is solidified locally due to the vacuum.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein exposure to the vacuum or the excess pressure occurs by means of porous materials provided in or on the container, the pore width of which is smaller than a smallest diameter of the particulate material and that gases are supplied and extracted through the porous materials.

8. A device for switching a particulate material flow in the construction of models in layers, wherein particulate materials are fed to a subsequent method step from a container having an opening in the direction of a workpiece platform and not being sealed off from its environment, wherein means for exposure of the particulate material to vacuum and excess pressure are provided inside the container.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein a length of the container is a multiple of its width.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein in or on the container, nozzles are provided for supply of gases.

11. The device according to claim 88, wherein the nozzles are independently activated.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein valves are provided for activation of the nozzles.

13. The device according to claim 8, wherein porous materials, whose pore size is smaller than a smallest particle diameter, are arranged in the container.

14. The device according to claim 8, wherein openings of the container, in addition, can be sealed by sieve arrays corresponding to the opening.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein a mechanical slide valve is provided for sealing of the opening in the container.

16. The device according to claim 12, wherein porous materials, whose pore size is smaller than a smallest particle diameter, are arranged in the container.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein openings of the container, in addition, can be sealed by sieve arrays corresponding to the opening.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein a mechanical slide valve is provided for sealing of the opening in the container.