DE102015017180B4 - Device for producing three-dimensional objects - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for producing three-dimensional objects (2) by successive solidification of layers of a pulverulent build-up material (3) solidifiable by means of radiation, in particular electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, at the locations corresponding to the respective cross-section of the object, in particular SLM or SLS device, with a housing (7), in which a process chamber (8) and at least one building chamber (5, 6) are arranged, with a carrying device (9) for carrying the object (2) within the building chamber (5, 6), a metering chamber (4) for storing the building material (3), a coating device (10) for applying the building material (3) and an irradiation device (11) for irradiating the applied layers of the building material (3), the coating device (10) at least over the building chamber (5, 6) is mounted to move back and forth, including the coating device (10) at least one side in a guide is stored, characterized in that said and / or further guide device for further within the process chamber (8) movable elements as in the ceiling region (14) of the process chamber (8) arranged, in particular hanging gantry (15, 25) is formed wherein the gantry (15, 25) is arranged displaceably under the ceiling region (14) of the process chamber (8), wherein the gantry (15, 25) is designed to be able to be moved outwards in particular in the manner of a drawer through an opening of the process chamber (8).

Description

The invention relates to a device for producing three-dimensional objects by successive solidification of layers of a pulverulent build-up material which can be solidified by radiation or particle radiation at the locations corresponding to the respective cross-section of the object, in particular a generative laser sintering or laser melting device.

Known devices of this type have a housing in which a process chamber and a building chamber are arranged. Within the building chamber, a height-adjustable carrying device for carrying the object is provided, also a metering chamber for storing the building material is usually arranged next to the building chamber. A coating device is used for applying the build-up material, an irradiation device for irradiating the applied layers of the building material within the construction chamber, wherein the coating device is mounted to at least movable over the building chamber to and fro, for which the coating device is mounted at least one side in a guide device.

Such a device is for example off DE 10 2012 012 412 A1 known. There, the guide device for the coater is arranged in the side region of the process chamber.

Basically, it is known from other technical fields, guide elements for technical apparatus and equipment such as X-ray equipment in a room for X-ray examinations, as a gantry and to arrange such a gantry either as a floor frame or hanging under a ceiling of the room. In the area of additive manufacturing technology, hanging gantry arrangements have not yet found an entrance.

US 2005/0280185 A1 discloses an additive manufacturing system comprising a building board and a print head movably mounted relative thereto.

US 2002/0195746 A1 discloses a coating device for the formation of building material layers to be consolidated in the context of an additive manufacturing process.

US 2004/0265413 A1 discloses an additive manufacturing facility comprising a rotatably mounted building board and a printhead.

DE 10 2012 022 859 A1 discloses an apparatus for producing three-dimensional models, comprising a coater with a discharge opening and a print head mounted on a printing axis.

US 2009/0035411 A1 discloses an additive manufacturing plant with a movably mounted powder reservoir.

The invention has for its object to form a device with the features of the preamble of claim 1 such that the construction fields can be flexibly formed in the process chamber in the respective construction job. This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1.

A suspended gantry in the region of a process chamber of a generative construction device such as an SLM or SLS device is particularly advantageous insofar as the construction area of a process chamber can be kept completely free of guide elements on which coaters, scanners, sensors, diode arrays, powder feeds, powder suction or Other cleaning elements for the construction chamber and the process chamber, Lufteindüsungen and the like. Can be arranged freely movable. Due to the overhead training of the gantry in the ceiling area of the building chamber of the lower building chamber area remains freely accessible, columns, strut elements or elongated guide elements in the process chamber floor or Baukammerseitenbereich can be omitted. The guide elements are in the upper part of the building chamber and are therefore relatively easy to access for service purposes.

The gantry can be formed complex in an advantageous development of the invention as a multiple gantry and have a plurality of superimposed or juxtaposed guide areas for different, independently movable elements. In principle, it is possible to separately process in one and the same guide element also different elements such as a camera and a sensor, for. For example, the camera moves from a left side of the gantry over the entire gantry travel range and a sensor from the right side of the gantry over an entire travel range of the gantry.

The gantry can also be arranged interchangeably in the ceiling area of the process chamber. In particular, a gantry slide-in technology or suspension technology is suitable, so that a gantry in the area of a process chamber can be adapted to the respective guidance and fastening requirements of the upcoming construction job. The gantry can also be arranged slidably under the ceiling region of the process chamber, ie it can be moved to the left, right, front or back as needed, or even by a Opening the process chamber in the manner of a drawer out to be moved out or designed to be lifted by a ceiling opening of the process chamber upwards, so that it is on the one hand freely accessible for service purposes, on the other hand also for loading with sensor modules, coater modules and the like. If a gantry is designed to be completely removable from a process chamber, then it can also be used as a "change gantry" in another process chamber.

The gantry can advantageously be arranged at least partially rotatable under the ceiling region of the process chamber and on the gantry one or more removable mounting modules or different movable elements can be arranged. The change assembly modules can, for. B. perforated plates, which are arranged to be displaceable and automatically movable on the gantry, but are designed so that in a simple way there sensors, cameras scanners, cleaning elements, coater and the like. Can be attached.

The gantry may be arranged in its entirety, or at least a portion thereof, in a non-horizontal position or placed in a non-horizontal position. In other words, a gantry for special purposes can also be arranged obliquely under the ceiling of the installation space, if the construction job makes this appear advantageous. The gantry may form a base gantry at which one or more sub-gantries or gantries are located. This results in a complex displacement system for attaching different elements under the ceiling, so that each point of the construction field can be approached by different elements as needed independently. The at least one lower or alternating gantry can be arranged displaceably, rotatable, tiltable and the like at the base gantry.

The lower or alternating gantries can be distributed in groups over the surface of the installation space or distributed.

The guide elements of several gantries can be arranged one inside the other such that elements guided on them and movable in the process chamber back and forth over the entire region of the process chamber can be moved.

Furthermore, it can be of great advantage if the ceiling region of the process chamber is designed to be hinged or removable above the gantry so that the gantry is freely accessible from above. Optionally, it is also useful to store the gantry also folded upwards out of the then resulting ceiling opening so that it-as already mentioned below - is easily accessible for the purpose of equipping with new or other modules.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to advantageous embodiments.

• 1 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einer Dosierkammer, zwei Baukammern, einem Überlaufbehälter und einer unter dem Deckenbereich angeordneten hängenden Gantry mit mehreren Führungsbereichen;
• 2 eine schematische Teil-Schnittdarstellung eines Deckenbereichs einer Prozesskammer einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung gem. 1 mit einer hängenden Gantry, die austauschbar und verschiebbar angeordnet ist;
• 3 eine schematische Teil-Schnittdarstellung eines Deckenbereiches ähnlich 2, mit einer hängenden, drehbar angeordneten Gantry;
• 4 eine Teil-Schnittdarstellung durch einen Deckenbereich ähnlich 2 und 3 mit einer hängenden, drehbaren und verkippbaren Gantry;
• 5 eine schematische Teil-Schnittdarstellung eines Deckenbereiches einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einer hängenden Basis-Gantry und einer Mehrzahl von Unter-Gantrys;
• 6 eine schematische Seitendarstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, bei der der Deckenbereich der Prozesskammer aufklappbar ist und an dem aufklappbaren Deckenbereich eine hängende Gantry angeordnet ist;
• 7 eine Darstellung ähnlich 6, wobei der Deckenbereich der Prozesskammer aufklappbar ist und eine gesondert hochklappbare Gantry durch die sich ergebene Deckenöffnung ausklappbar ist.

These show:

• 1 a schematic sectional view of a device according to the invention with a metering chamber, two building chambers, an overflow container and arranged under the ceiling area hanging gantry with multiple guide areas;
• 2 a schematic partial sectional view of a ceiling portion of a process chamber of a device according to the invention. 1 with a hanging gantry interchangeable and slidable;
• 3 a schematic partial sectional view of a ceiling area similar 2 with a hanging, rotatable gantry;
• 4 a partial sectional view through a ceiling area similar 2 and 3 with a hanging, rotatable and tiltable gantry;
• 5 a schematic partial sectional view of a ceiling portion of a device according to the invention with a hanging base gantry and a plurality of sub-gantry;
• 6 a schematic side view of a device according to the invention, in which the ceiling portion of the process chamber is hinged and on the hinged ceiling area a hanging gantry is arranged;
• 7 a representation similar 6 , wherein the ceiling portion of the process chamber is hinged and a separately hinged gantry can be folded out by the resulting ceiling opening.

The device schematically illustrated in the drawing figures 1 serves to produce three-dimensional objects 2 by successive solidification of layers of a pulverulent build-up material which can be solidified by means of radiation or particle radiation 3 in a dosing chamber 4 the device 1 is kept ready. The construction process takes place in two building chambers 5 . 6 , wherein a device 1 with only one or more than two building blocks 5 . 6 also within the scope of the invention.

Conventional devices of this type have a housing 7 in which a process chamber 8th with the building chambers 5 and 6 is arranged. The building chambers 5 . 6 is in each case a carrying device, which is designed to be adjustable in height and can be lowered in the course of the construction process, belonging. The construction material 3 from the dosing chamber 4 is via a coating device 10 in layers within the building chambers 5 . 6 applied and by an irradiation device 11 , comprising z. B. a laser 12 and a scanner 13 melted, so that after cooling and curing of the melt, the object 2 results.

In the ceiling area 14 the process chamber 8th is a hanging gantry 15 arranged as a guide device z. B. for the coating device 10 , a movable scanner 13 or further movable elements such as sensors, powder feeders, diode arrays, powder suction, Lufteindüsungen etc. can be arranged freely movable.

Basically it is possible at a gantry 15 a plurality of guide portions arranged one above another or arranged side by side 16 to provide for different movable elements of the type mentioned.

From the in 2 illustrated embodiment will be apparent that the gantry 15 in the ceiling area 14 the process chamber 8th is arranged interchangeably. These are in the ceiling area, directly on the ceiling underside guide rails 17 attached, in the holding elements 18 can be pushed, so the gantry 15 under the ceiling area 14 the process chamber 8th is displaceable overall or through an opening of the process chamber 8th in the manner of a drawer to the outside is moved out. The guide rails 17 and the holding elements 18 the gantry 15 can be similarly formed by drawer slides.

At the in 3 illustrated embodiment can be seen that the gantry 15 at least partially rotatable under the ceiling area 14 the process chamber is arranged. At the gantry 15 can in the context of the invention, one or more removable mounting modules 19 slidably provided, wherein the change assembly modules 19 z. As perforated plates or provided with snap-locking connections elements, so sensors, scanners and the like. In a simple way to the change assembly modules 19 can be provided.

At the in 4 illustrated embodiment is further seen that the gantry 15 or at least sections of the gantry 15 can be tilted in a non-horizontal position or can be arranged from the outset in such an oblique position.

5 shows a more complex training of a gantry 15 coming from a base gantry 25 and a plurality of sub-gantries or alternate gantries 26 consists. The base gantry 25 is designed to have several under or over gangs 26 which in turn can also be slidable at the base gantry 25 can be arranged. At the change gantries 26 or sub-gantries are then in turn displaceable z. B. on said assembly modules different elements such as sensors, coaters, scanners, suction and the like. Arranged. Through this combination of at least one base gantry 25 and a plurality of alternating or sub-gantry results in a variety of mounting and traversing possibilities for independently movable or displaceable elements such as sensor elements, scanners, coaters and the like.

The lower or alternate gantry 26 can according to the 3 and 4 each also rotatable or tiltable at the base gantry 25 be attached. Alternating or sub-gantries can be placed over the surface of the installation space or even the process chamber 8th be arranged distributed or distributed. The base gantry 25 or the plurality of gantries and / or change or sub-gantries can be adjusted by motor, so that a process-controlled automatic adjustment of the gantry 15 . 25 and the elements attached to you is possible.

The 6 and 7 show two embodiments in which the ceiling area 14 the process chamber 8th hinged designed so that either a fixed to the ceiling area gantry 15 ( 6 ) with the ceiling area 14 is folded up and then exposed for service purposes or for reassembly with suitable elements or according to 7 the ceiling area 14 is opened separately and then the gantry 15 can be folded up separately. It should be noted that every gantry in 1 , in 2 . 6 and 7 slidable, rotatable, tiltable, as a single or multiple gantry, as a base gantry with sub-gantries and the like. Can be designed. For the sake of simplicity, it is apart, z. In 6 and 7 to represent a base gantry with sub-gantries. Nevertheless, it is within the scope of the invention, such complex gantries 15 Provide under a hinged lid, with a twistability and Verkippbarkeit this Gantrys 15 within the scope of the invention.

Claims (13)

Device (1) for producing three-dimensional objects (2) by successive solidification of layers of a pulverulent build-up material (3) solidifiable by means of radiation, in particular electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, at the locations corresponding to the respective cross-section of the object, in particular SLM or SLS device, with a housing (7), in in which a process chamber (8) and at least one construction chamber (5, 6) are arranged, with a carrying device (9) for carrying the object (2) within the building chamber (5, 6), a metering chamber (4) for storing the building material ( 3), a coating device (10) for applying the building material (3) and an irradiation device (11) for irradiating the applied layers of the building material (3), wherein the coating device (10) at least over the building chamber (5, 6) back and forth is movably mounted, for which the coating device (10) is mounted at least on one side in a guide device, characterized in that the said and / or another guide device for further within the process chamber (8) movable elements than in the ceiling region (14) of the process chamber (8 ), in particular hanging gantry (15, 25) is formed, wherein the gantry (15, 25) slidably under the ceiling region (14) of the process chamber (8) a is arranged, wherein the gantry (15, 25) in particular by an opening of the process chamber (8) in the manner of a drawer outwardly designed to be moved out. Device after Claim 1 , characterized in that the gantry (15, 25) has a plurality of superimposed or juxtaposed guide regions for different movable elements. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gantry (15, 25) in the ceiling region (14) of the process chamber (8) is arranged exchangeably. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gantry (15, 25) is arranged at least partially rotatable under the ceiling region (14) of the process chamber (8). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the gantry (15, 25) one or more change assembly modules (19) are arranged for different movable elements. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gantry (15, 25) in total or sections of the gantry are arranged in a non-horizontal position or can be brought into such a position. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gantry forms a base gantry (25) on which one or more sub-gantries or gantries (26) are arranged. Device after Claim 7 , characterized in that the at least one lower or alternate gantry (26) is slidably mounted, rotatable or tiltable on the base gantry (25). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower or alternating Gantrys (26) are distributed in groups over the surface of the space or distributed arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide elements of a plurality of gantries (15, 25) are arranged in such a way that guided to them in the process chamber (8) reciprocable elements over the entire region of the process chamber (8) are movable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gantry (15, 25) and / or the at least one removable gantry (26) is adjustable by motor. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ceiling region (14) of the process chamber (8) above the gantry (15, 25) is designed hinged or removable. Device after Claim 12 , characterized in that the gantry (15, 25) by the open ceiling region (14) of the process chamber (8) is mounted outwardly foldable.

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