DE102017118065A1 - Generative manufacturing plant and process for the production of components by means of this generative manufacturing plant - Google Patents

Abstract

Generative production plant, comprising a production chamber (1) with a wall (2) around a volume (3), at least one sluice element (4) inserted into the wall (2), the sluice element having an opening (5) with at least one opening into it Purging gas channel (6), each having at least one inlet (7) and an outlet (8), a, in the opening of the lock element with at least one positionable circumferential seal (9) sealingly and slidably inserted piston (10) having a Volume-directed piston head (11) having an edge region (12) and a seal in the lock element directed piston skirt (13), a piston feed device (14) outside the volume for the piston in the opening of the lock element, one provided on the lock element around the opening and to the volume-facing sealing surface (15) on which rests at least one displaceable latch (16), at least one alignable feed (17) of phy physical and / or chemical processing agents (18).

Description

The invention relates to a generative manufacturing plant according to the first claim, and a method for the production of components by means of this generative manufacturing plant, according to claim 21.

The scope in which the invention is intended to be used is the additive manufacture of components, i. the automated production of components by a successive joining together of volume elements to a finished geometry, such as the layered structure of a component from successively applied individual layers.

A generative manufacturing process is based on computer-aided design data, which is transmitted via an electronic interface to the generative manufacturing plant. During the manufacturing process, the generative structure of the component is carried out in a manufacturing chamber separable from the environment by means of physical or chemical processes from a starting material, which is present for example as a liquid, wire or powder.

Detailed descriptions of common generative manufacturing processes as well as the underlying physical and chemical processes can be found in [1, 2].

State of the art

From [3] a generative manufacturing process is known, which is based on selective laser melting or selective laser sintering. The layered structure of the component to be manufactured takes place on a vertically movable carrier platform, which is located next to a powder bed. From this powder bed sintered material is provided and applied in layers on the support platform. With a laser or electron beam, the sintered material applied from the powder bed is raised locally above a defined sintering temperature and the first layer of the component is produced. For the further layered construction of the component, the disclosed manufacturing steps are repeated successively.

Another generative manufacturing method and apparatus for carrying out this method are disclosed in [4]. The manufacturing method described is based on a 3D metal printing method. The component to be manufactured is piecewise constructed from metal wire. Newly manufactured areas of the component are connected by heat to already manufactured areas. A preferred embodiment of the disclosed apparatus comprises a support platform on which the component is manufactured, and an applicator head through which the metal wire is provided. During the step-by-step manufacture of the component, the support platform is moved within a manufacturing chamber relative to the applicator head.

An apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects by solidifying successive layers of a starting material is disclosed in [6]. The device has a housing which consists of a construction space and a removal station. In the installation space, the starting material is applied in layers on a height-adjustable slide by an applicator and solidified by an irradiation device according to the geometry of the object to be manufactured. Subsequently, the space is moved via a rail system in the removal station, where the generative manufactured object is removed through an opening.

[7] discloses a method and an apparatus for the continuous production of components from bulk material by means of a layering method. The device according to the invention has a container for a bed of a bulk material, as well as a link belt, which moves the bulk material horizontally through a tunnel. The tunnel forms a sealing unit with the container and the bed. By means of a laser, the bulk material is solidified on a construction field at the entrance of the tunnel in the desired geometry and transported by means of the link belt through the bed to the exit of the tunnel, where the removal takes place. In principle, the generative production of a component takes place in the methods mentioned in the prior art as well as in the devices disclosed therein on a carrier platform or a construction field within a closed production chamber of the generative manufacturing plant.

The distance between the support platform within the finished manufacturing chamber and the units that provide the starting material or that provide for the transformation of the starting material is increased, as a result of the manufacturing process, to the extent that the height of the component increases.

This ensures that e.g. maintain the relative distances between the newest generatively prepared layer and the units that provide the starting material or that provide for the conversion of the starting material.

The generative manufacturing process takes place, in particular in the metal processing, decoupled from the ambient atmosphere under an inert atmosphere, which takes place at the for the production used physical or chemical process is adjusted. Furthermore, this prevents hazardous substances, such as dusts, from escaping from the production chamber during the additive manufacturing process.

The dimensions of the components manufactured with conventional generative manufacturing equipment are thereby limited to the geometry of the finished production chamber.

Technical task

Based on this, it is an object of the invention to propose a plant for additive manufacturing, which overcomes the above limitations. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to propose a method for producing a component by means of this plant, which overcomes the above-mentioned limitations.

Disclosure of the invention

The object is achieved by a generative manufacturing plant with the features of claim 1, and by a method for producing components by means of this generative manufacturing plant according to claim 21. The subclaims each describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The generative manufacturing plant according to the invention comprises a production chamber with a wall around a volume. In the production chamber are physical and chemical processing means, which are suitable for the generative production of at least one, preferably only one component and optionally other components that are generatively produced together with the component or components, provided. The said further components are either support structures or other structures supporting production in the generative manufacturing plant, such as e.g. hereinafter referred to means for sealing the production chamber or an end cap to a component.

The said physical and chemical processing means comprise in particular starting materials from which the component and / or the aforementioned components, such as e.g. Means are built to seal the production chamber on the piston head. These starting materials preferably include metal, ceramics or plastics. These starting materials are preferably present as powder (particles) or wire.

The physical and chemical process means provided within the production chamber further include means for providing energy, by means of which the component to be produced generatively or optionally the aforementioned components are produced from the starting materials. These means for supplying energy are preferably devices, preferably for generating arcs, lasers, electron beams and / or accelerated particles in a gas flow. These include optional abrading, preferably machining, machining means such as, in particular, milling machines, lathes, drills, grinders, impactors and / or erosion machines, arranged in bulk and processing the component during its generative production (e.g., between two process steps) or in combination e.g. in alternating process steps already allow before completion.

An essential feature of the generative manufacturing plant according to the invention comprises a lock element, which is used in the wall of the production chamber, for example in a wall breakthrough. This lock element has an opening from an environment around the production chamber into the volume of the production chamber. The opening is thus a bore open on both sides through the lock element between the volume and the ambient atmosphere outside the volume closed off by the wall. The lock element effects the basic accessibility into the production chamber and serves as a receptacle for the sealingly and slidably inserted piston, on the piston crown of which the generative production of a component takes place. The opening preferably opens from bottom to top in the volume.

The generative manufacturing plant further comprises a piston, which is sealingly inserted into the opening of the lock element preferably with at least one positionable circumferential seal and at least axially in the opening slidably. The opening, i. the hole through the lock element serves as a piston guide or to support the leadership of the piston through the underlying piston feed device. The piston is axially displaceable in the opening. This axial displacement direction forms the piston feed direction and thus the removal direction for the piston from the opening. The direction of displacement is preferably rectilinear, i. it follows a straight line, preferably the direction of a straight line of symmetry for the piston and the opening.

Furthermore, a construction direction for the generative production is provided. As a construction direction, the direction is referred to, in which the layered structure of the component takes place on the piston crown. It corresponds preferably, but not mandatory the aforementioned displacement direction of the piston. Embodiments explicitly provide a construction direction at an angle not equal to 0 °, preferably between 0 and 60 °. In any case, feeds in the construction direction but indirectly via the displacement direction can be realized, the feeds would have to be described vectorially in the assembly direction by directional vectors in the direction of displacement. This is only possible if the aforementioned angle is not equal to 90 °, preferably less than 80 °, 70 ° or 60 °.

The cross section of the opening and the piston is identical except for a clearance required for a sliding guide, preferably round, elliptical, oval, wherein the aforementioned displacement direction coincides with a line of symmetry for the piston and the opening. However, only a round cross section in addition to the axial displaceability also allows rotational relative movements between the piston and the opening directed around the symmetry line. Therefore, a round cross section is particularly suitable for the generative production of rotationally symmetrical about the symmetry line components, the generative construction direction preferably corresponds to the direction of displacement. Further embodiments provide polygonal, preferably quadrangular cross sections with or without rounded corners. These cross sections are suitable for an axial displacement direction without a rotation of the piston in the opening.

The piston also has a volume-facing piston crown, onto which the component in the manufacturing plant can be built up generatively via at least one layer. The piston crown comprises an edge region. The piston further comprises a circumferential piston skirt surface as a friction surface to the inner opening surface, i. the piston skirt surface is directed towards the lock element.

For generative production with powder bed processes (powders, in particular without binders as starting materials), the mode of action of gravity in conjunction with the arrangement of the production direction (construction direction) is generally decisive. In this case, the piston head is facing the volume upwards and is preferably horizontal, the construction direction preferably orthogonal to the piston head. In generative manufacturing processes with slight influence of the direction of gravity to the processing means during processing such as powder application method (particles within an accelerated gas flow), the piston crown can be arranged at an angle to the horizontal, also embodiments with vertical alignment of the piston crown are possible. In principle, a horizontal or horizontal angled arrangement of the piston crown is alternatively possible with the piston head downwards or obliquely downwards and the removal of the component including the shell upwards or obliquely upward.

Within the scope of a preferred embodiment, in particular when processing particulate starting materials as physical and chemical processing agents, the piston crown is preferably arranged at a tilt angle of less than 90 °, more preferably less than 60 °, more preferably less than 45 ° to the horizontal, further preferably horizontal. This embodiment is particularly suitable if the removal direction does not coincide with the piston feed direction.

The piston is axially movable in the opening of the lock element. This allows a preferably stepwise relative movement of the piston crown relative to its starting position in the production chamber at the beginning of the generative production, to the extent that the dimension in the finishing direction (construction direction) of the component produced on the piston crown increases. Due to this, the production of the newest volume element of the component always takes place at the same level, so that the orientation of the supply of the physical and / or chemical process agents need not be adjusted

Another feature of the generative manufacturing plant according to the invention is the piston feed device for the piston, which is preferably arranged outside the volume of the production chamber. The piston feed device provides, preferably by a control, for the successive movement of the piston in the opening of the production chamber away from the volume of the production chamber, to the extent that the height of the component produced on the piston crown increases. The piston feed device also serves to guide the piston and component from the lock.

During a method for producing a component from a plurality of generatively created layers, the piston feed device preferably serves successively in traversing steps for a displacement of the piston in the opening of the lock element, preferably in the axial direction. A movement step preferably corresponds to the height of a generatively manufactured layer of the component.

Another feature of the generative manufacturing plant is provided on the lock element sealing surface, which points to the volume of the production chamber, as well as at least one slidable bar. The sealing surface is arranged around the opening and preferably completely surrounds it without interruption. Of the slidable latch is preferably flat and thus sealing on the sealing surface. Latch and sealing surface are preferably configured just flat and lie flat on each other. The displaceability of the bolt is preferably carried out manually or by motor between two rest positions. In a first rest position, the bolt on the sealing surface completely covers the opening. The opening is fluidly sealed off from the volume, ie completely closed. In a second rest position, the latch is completely pushed away from the opening; the opening is completely open to the volume. The bolt causes the volume of the production chamber of the generative manufacturing plant to be from the environment and / or decoupled. As a result, on the one hand, the process atmosphere is independently adjustable from an environment outside the production chamber. On the other hand, for example, a production of components of any length is possible without causing changes in the process atmosphere. A displacement of the bolt over the opening of the lock element (first rest position) makes it possible to remove the finished component without influencing the process atmosphere in the volume of the production chamber. Furthermore, a series production of components preferably of any length is possible without causing changes in the process atmosphere. Moving the bolt over the opening of the lock element allows the removal of the finished component without affecting the process atmosphere in the volume of the production chamber, before starting to manufacture the next component.

The lock element preferably has at least one purge gas channel for the passage of a gas flow, each having at least one inlet and an outlet into and out of the opening. For this purpose, the purge gas channel preferably opens into and out of the opening via the inner wall surface of the opening, preferably in an embodiment between two circumferential seals, wherein the purge gas forms a gas barrier between the volume of the production chamber and the environment. A purge gas system can be connected to the purge gas channel outside and / or within the volume of the production chamber.

In a further embodiment, no circumferential seal is arranged between the inlet and outlet of the purge gas channel and the piston head, so that the lock element between piston crown and closed latch (first rest position), i. between piston and volume is flushed. With this flushing, for example, unprocessed starting materials with the purge gas can be sucked. This prevents process materials from passing from the volume of the production chamber to the environment outside the production chamber. Furthermore, suction also serves to clean the respectively already processed layers of the component, which in turn allows a change of the starting materials in subsequent process steps, without causing contamination by unprocessed starting materials from previous steps.

The generative manufacturing plant preferably comprises alignable feeders and / or holders for the physical and / or chemical processing means. These include mechanical and / or hydraulic and / or pneumatic feed and dosing agents for the starting materials from which the component and / or the aforementioned components such as e.g. Means are built to seal the production chamber on the piston head. Furthermore, remote-controllable actuators and / or tripods are preferably provided as holders for the alignment and positioning of the aforementioned means for the provision of energy in the volume. The supply of physical and / or chemical processing means is preferably alignable at the beginning of the manufacturing process on the piston head of the piston. In the course of the manufacturing process, the feed is preferably alignable to the last generatively manufactured layer of the component. The alignable supply of the physical and / or chemical process means allows the generative production of a component on the piston head, preferably including a support or tether structure of any geometry.

Among the generative manufacturing methods that are preferably carried out by the generative manufacturing plant include powder bed processes, in particular powder bed processes, which relate the energy input for producing a component from a starting material from a laser unit or an electron beam unit.

Furthermore, hardfacing methods are preferably carried out by the generative production system, in particular hardfacing and sintering methods which obtain the energy input for producing a component from a starting material from a laser unit, an electron beam unit, and / or a plasma or arc unit, and for the a supply of the starting material via the provision of a powder or a solid takes place. Preferably, the solid is designed wire-shaped.

In addition to the methods already mentioned, thermal and cold gas injection methods or methods with material application by particle acceleration are suitable for execution by the generative production system.

Combinations of the listed methods are also suitable for execution by the Inventive generative manufacturing plant in each case also in combination with an accompanying Abtragsverfahren (eg milling method) to increase the surface quality.

The solution of the problem further comprises a manufacturing method, i. Method for producing at least one, preferably exactly one component with the aforementioned generative manufacturing plant.

A preferred embodiment of the method comprises a generative production not only of the component, but simultaneously and with the same method steps also at least the aforementioned means for sealing the production chamber on the edge region of the piston crown. More preferably, the manufacture of the component or of the components and of the means for sealing the production chamber takes place simultaneously and more preferably with the same physical and chemical process agents. For the sake of simplicity, the method steps described below will also be described as representative of this embodiment only with reference to a production of components.

In a method for producing components with the generative production plant according to the invention, the aforementioned generative production plant itself as well as physical and chemical processing means within the production chamber, which are suitable for the additive production of a component, are provided in a first method step. These physical and chemical process agents include, on the one hand, the abovementioned starting materials and, on the other hand, the abovementioned means for supplying energy, with the aid of which the component to be produced generatively is produced from the starting materials.

In a second method step, a sealing positioning of the bolt by the guide means and / or displacement means of the lock element via the opening of the lock element takes place. In this first rest position, the opening is completely covered by the latch, i. preferably separated from the volume in a fluid-tight manner. Only then, in a third process step, is a preferably inert process atmosphere (preferably argon or nitrogen) provided within the production chamber, i. preferably introduced into the volume. Preference is given to removing starting materials remaining in the volume, for example from previous production processes, before a new start of production.

In a fourth method step, the piston is inserted and positioned from the outside into the bore of the lock element in the direction of the volume.

Another method step is to move the latch on the sealing surface of the lock element from the opening of the lock element in the second rest position. The opening is thus open to the volume.

In a further method step, which is preferably subdivided into sub-steps, a component is produced generatively on the piston bottom of the lock element. At the same time, a shell surrounding the component building on the edge region of the piston crown and subsequent to the piston skirt is generatively manufactured, which sealingly replaces the piston skirt to the lock element with advancing feed, so that there is a continuous sealing surface between the production chamber and an environment outside the production chamber. During this process step, the piston is successively moved out of the lock element driven by the piston feed device according to the generatively manufactured height of the component and the shell.

In detail, the last-mentioned method step comprises several sub-steps mentioned below, which are passed through at least once, preferably several times in the order named.

1. a) Einbringen von physikalischen und chemischen Prozessmitteln, insbesondere der Ausgangsstoffe in die Öffnung auf den Kolbenboden, optionales Abstreifen überschüssiger Ausgangsstoffe durch ein Überschieben des Riegels über die Öffnung in die erste Ruheposition (Öffnung vollständig verschlossen) und zurückfahren des Riegels in die zweite Ruheposition (Öffnung vollständig geöffnet), wobei der Riegel als Abstreifer fungiert, der Abstreifer kann auch unabhängig vom Riegel als separates Bauteil gestaltet sein
2. b) Prozessierung einer Schicht als ein Teil des Bauteils mit einer generativ gefertigten Höhe aus zumindest eines Teils der physikalischen und chemischen Prozessmittel über den Kolbenboden. Hierzu erfolgt zuvor eine optionale Ausrichtung und/oder Nachjustierung der Mittel zur Energiebereitstellung auf die Prozesszone auf dem Kolbenboden oder auf diesen exponierten gefertigten Teil des Bauteils sowie
3. c) Verfahren des Kolbens um eine Weglänge entsprechend der generativ gefertigten Höhe vom Volumen weg aus der Öffnung des Schleusenelements heraus,

The method step comprises a layer-by-layer generative structure of a component having a plurality of layers on the piston crown, comprising preferably a multiple pass through the following process step sequence:

1. a) introducing physical and chemical processing agents, in particular the starting materials in the opening on the piston head, optional stripping excess starting materials by sliding the bolt over the opening in the first rest position (opening completely closed) and moving back the bolt in the second rest position (opening fully opened), wherein the latch acts as a scraper, the scraper can also be designed independently of the bolt as a separate component
2. b) processing a layer as a part of the component with a generatively manufactured height of at least a portion of the physical and chemical processing means via the piston crown. For this purpose, an optional alignment and / or readjustment of the means for supplying energy to the process zone on the piston crown or on this exposed fabricated part of the component takes place beforehand
3. c) moving the piston by a path length corresponding to the generatively manufactured height away from the volume of the opening of the lock element,

Thereafter, in the context of further method steps, the latch is preferably positioned by the guide means and / or displacement means of the lock element sealingly over the opening of the lock element (first rest position), followed by an optional removal of excess starting materials between bar and piston crown, ie the non-processed starting materials around the Component, preferably with purge gas. Subsequently, the removal of the piston takes place from the opening of the lock element, together with a composite of component and optionally at least one means for sealing the production chamber.

The last method step involves releasing the at least one component and the at least one means for sealing the production chamber from the piston head.

A further preferred embodiment of the method for producing components with a generative manufacturing plant of the aforementioned type further comprises an additional method step after the generative production of the component and at least one means for sealing the production chamber. It further comprises a generative structure of a closed end cap on the at least one means for sealing the production chamber. Piston bottom, the means for sealing and the end cap then form a housing around the component. More preferably, the housing is completely closed and more preferably forms a gas-tight barrier hiss component and environment. Simultaneously with the production of the end cap, the piston is successively from the lock element out by the piston feed device, regulated according to the generatively manufactured height of the end cap, such that the at least one means for sealing the production chamber to the component replaces the piston skirt sealing towards the lock element ,

This embodiment of the method according to the invention further comprises a separation of the component and the means for sealing the production chamber and consists of removing the end cap from the at least one means for sealing the production chamber while simultaneously extracting excess physical and chemical processing means between the component and the at least one Means for sealing the production chamber.

Preferably, excess physical and / or chemical processing means between the component and the at least one means for sealing the production chamber, are sucked off, so that no physical and / or chemical processing agents reach the environment outside the production chamber.

embodiments

In a preferred embodiment, the generative manufacturing plant according to the invention comprises a production chamber having a volume and a wall, the production chamber having a lock element in the wall.

The lock element shows a sealing surface directed towards the volume of the production chamber and has an opening which connects the volume of the production chamber to an external environment outside the production chamber.

The lock element further has a latch, which rests sealingly on the sealing surface of the lock element and is displaceable by guide means and / or displacement means on this between two rest positions. The bolt is displaceable over the opening of the lock element so that it is completely covered (first rest position). As a result, the volume of the production chamber is completely separable from an external environment outside the production chamber.

The bolt preferably has a stripping element, which prevents physical and / or chemical processing agents, in particular pulverulent starting material or particles solidified in the process, from reaching the sealing surface of the lock element and thus the quality of the seal between the bolt and the sealing surface of the lock element Impact lock element, or damage the sealing surface as such by mechanical abrasion when the bolt is moved over the opening. An alternative embodiment provides a bolt with a stripping element as an independent separate component.

Preferably, the trajectories on which the bolt is displaced by the guide means and / or displacement means on the sealing surface are in addition e.g. protected from particles by flexible covers.

In this embodiment of the generative manufacturing plant, a positionable, replaceable piston with a fit is inserted into the opening of the lock element, which has a piston chamber directed toward the volume of the production chamber with an edge region and a piston skirt facing the lock element. The piston is further sealingly and slidably inserted into the lock element with at least one positionable circumferential seal. The precise positioning of the piston relative to the sealing surface of the lock element is preferably carried out in the region of the sealing surface of the lock element. The precise positioning of the piston relative to the sealing surface the lock element is preferably carried out by the piston feed device.

The generative manufacturing chamber described in this embodiment has at least one feed for physical and / or chemical processing means, preferably in the form of a powder bed as starting material and a squeegee and a laser unit as a means for energy supply. The powder bed and the doctor blade provide the starting material needed for the component. With the help of the laser, the geometry of the component is generated from the raw material provided during the generative production process and, optionally, the material properties of the component are adapted. The feeders are preferably aligned at the beginning of production on the piston crown. In the course of production, the at least one feed is preferably alignable to the newest generatively manufactured layer of the component.

The piston is connected to a piston feed device, which is preferably located outside the volume of the production chamber, and by this axially and optionally with rotational movements movable. He is moved out of the lock element by the piston feed device with increasing manufacturing height of the component on the piston head. The offset of the piston is governed by the generatively manufactured height of the component. With increasing length of the manufactured component, the piston is preferably supported by additionally mounted guide elements in the opening of the lock element in order to maintain a precise guidance.

A preferred feature of the described embodiment comprises the at least one means for sealing the production chamber in the edge region of the piston crown. This at least one means for sealing the production chamber in the edge region of the piston crown is produced generatively simultaneously with the component and provides that with an offset of the piston head from the lock element out through the piston feed device, the seal to the lock element and thus the seal between the production chamber and an environment outside the production chamber is maintained. Thus, the generatively produced, at least one means for sealing the production chamber with increasing production height of the component on the piston crown gradually replaces the piston skirt, while this passes through the lock. As a result, an uninterrupted sealing of the production chamber is ensured by a sealing surface that continuously grows with the component by the at least one means for sealing the production chamber. Thus, these means for sealing the production chamber to an integral part of the generative manufacturing plant.

Depending on the type of component to be manufactured, the at least one means for sealing the production chamber on the edge region of the piston crown is not connected in contact with the component in the interior, or else by supporting structures. In special applications, the shell itself is the component (e.g., pipe fabrication), or else the shell seamlessly merges into the component (e.g., making a maximum diameter cone corresponding to the diameter of the piston or sealant).

The lock element also has at least one flushing gas channel, each with at least one inlet and one outlet in the opening. At least during the displacement of the piston or the component shell on the edge of the piston crown by the lock element by the piston feed device, possibly also in addition during the entire process duration is flushed through the purge gas channel. Thus, starting materials, e.g. Powder or other particles, which pass from the production chamber into the lock element when the piston is displaced, are removed from the lock element and thus prevent particles from the process atmosphere from reaching the environment.

In a second embodiment of the generative manufacturing plant according to the invention, an end cap is applied to the at least one means for sealing the production chamber.

This end cap allows the removal of the composite of piston, component, means for sealing the production chamber and end cap from the lock element, preferably after a flushing of the lock element via the at least one flushing channel and closing the opening of the lock element by the latch, without process means in the Enter the environment outside the production chamber. Excess process materials remain within the volume formed from the at least one means for sealing the manufacturing chamber and the end cap. This process means in a separate suction after extraction of the end cap sucked.

In a further embodiment of the generative manufacturing plant exists between the at least one Means for sealing the production chamber on the edge region of the piston crown and the component a support structure, which additionally stabilizes the component.

In a further embodiment of the generative manufacturing plant, the at least one means for sealing the production chamber on the edge region of the piston crown itself forms the component to be produced generatively, e.g. in the generative production of pipes.

In a further embodiment of the generative production plant, the production chamber additionally has an erosive machine tool. As a result, the surface of the component or of the at least one means for sealing the production chamber can be machined. This causes possibly caused by the generative manufacturing process irregularities are leveled on the at least one means for sealing the production chamber. As a result, the quality of the seal between the lock element and the at least one means for sealing the production chamber is increased as soon as the piston head has left the lock element and the at least one means for sealing the production chamber takes over the seal towards the lock element. Preferably, the erosive machine tool also possibly leveled by the generative manufacturing process irregularities of the component are leveled.

In order to ensure a machining of the lateral surface areas of the component or means for sealing with a machine tool, the lateral surface must be made accessible:

In order to provide accessibility to the shell surface, in one embodiment the piston is provided with the workpiece and the means for sealing at defined time intervals or e.g. after applying a certain number of layers again inserted a piece against the growth direction in the volume of the production chamber back. This creates a protruding from the opening area, consisting of component and means for sealing, which is accessible to the machine tool and allows processing.

In another embodiment, the position of the active level of the generative production is changed. The supply of the process agent is moved away after each layer order by the amount of a layer thickness of the previous production level. This results in a segment of the component including means for sealing which protrudes into the production chamber. This can be machined by the machine tool, at least circulating or even inside, before the revised area with optimized surface quality passes through the seal.

In a further embodiment of the generative manufacturing plant, the seal between piston skirt and inner wall of the opening is designed in several stages; Flushing and suction devices are respectively arranged in the direction of passage of the component in front of and behind a peripheral seal (for example lip or inflatable seal as peripheral seal).

In a further embodiment, the piston is led out of the system under a rotational movement. The opening is thus not rectilinear, but follows a curved as a circular arc line of symmetry. Along this arc also the structure of the component and the means for sealing takes place. For this purpose, the lock element and the piston have a design compatible with the export movement and design of the piston. This is for the production of e.g. of pipe bends.

1. 1. Generative Fertigungsanlage nach einem der vorgenannten Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Kolbenboden (11) senkrecht zur Entnahmerichtung des Bauteiles angeordnet ist
2. 2. Generative Fertigungsanlage nach einem der vorgenannten Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Kolbenboden (11) geneigt (in z.B. 45°) zur Entnahmerichtung des Bauteiles angeordnet ist.

In a further embodiment, the piston is led out of the system linearly along a straight line. The opening and the piston extend around this straight line

1. 1. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston head ( 11 ) is arranged perpendicular to the removal direction of the component
2. 2. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston head ( 11 ) inclined (in eg 45 °) to the removal direction of the component is arranged.

In a further embodiment, the feed device of the piston is designed so that it allows a tilt of the component during manufacture. The change in inclination occurs either on the piston crown, i. without the piston or together with the piston, wherein the piston is preferably pivotable together with the opening in the lock element.

• 1a eine prinzipielle Schnittdarstellung repräsentierend die vorgenannte erste Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen generativen Fertigungsanlage mit einem Schleusenelement, d.h. mit zusätzlichem Mittel zur Abdichtung der Fertigungskammer im Randbereich des Kolbenbodens,
• 1b eine prinzipielle Schnittdarstellung repräsentierend die vorgenannte zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen generativen Fertigungsanlage, d.h. mit zusätzlichem Mittel zur Abdichtung der Fertigungskammer im Randbereich des Kolbenbodens, wobei das Mittel zur Abdichtung der Fertigungskammer eine Abschlusskappe aufweist,
• 2 eine perspektivische Schnittansicht einer Ausgestaltung der Ausführungsform gemäß 1,
• 3 eine weitere perspektivische Schnittansicht einer Ausgestaltung der Ausführungsform gemäß 1 und 2,
• 4 weitere perspektivische Detailansichten speziell des Spülgaskanals der Ausführungsform gemäß 2 und 3,
• 5 eine weitere perspektivische Schnittansicht der Ausführungsform gemäß 2 bis 4 mit Bauteil und Mittel zur Abdichtung in einem fortgeschrittenem generativen Fertigungsstadium sowie
• 6 eine perspektivische Schnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform mit einer zusätzlich im Volumen vorgesehenen abtragenden Werkzeugmaschine.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments and embodiments with figures. The figures, the description and the claims contain features in combination. The skilled person will, however, expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations. Show it

• 1a a schematic sectional representation representing the aforementioned first embodiment of the inventive generative manufacturing plant with a lock element, ie with additional means for sealing the production chamber in the edge region of the piston crown,
• 1b a schematic sectional representation representing the aforementioned second embodiment of the generative manufacturing plant according to the invention, ie with additional means for sealing the production chamber in the edge region of the piston crown, wherein the means for sealing the production chamber has a cap,
• 2 a perspective sectional view of an embodiment of the embodiment according to 1 .
• 3 a further perspective sectional view of an embodiment of the embodiment according to 1 and 2 .
• 4 further perspective detailed views of the particular Spülgaskananal the embodiment according to 2 and 3 .
• 5 another perspective sectional view of the embodiment according to 2 to 4 with component and means for sealing in an advanced generative manufacturing stage as well
• 6 a perspective sectional view of another embodiment with an additionally provided in the volume erosion machine tool.

1a shows a schematic sectional view of the structure and operation of the device according to the invention of a first embodiment. The generative manufacturing plant has a production chamber 1 with a volume 3 and a wall 2 around a volume. It also comprises a lock element 4 , used in a breakthrough in the wall. The lock element 4 has a continuous preferably cylindrical opening 5 and one in the opening 5 used, positioning and axially displaceable, replaceable cylindrical piston 10 on. Between pistons 10 and inner wall of the opening are in the example three annular seals 9 arranged the volume 3 separates from the outside ambient atmosphere outside the device. The seals are preferably firmly inserted into the lock element and rub on the lateral surface of the piston. The circumferential seal, which is arranged in the opening closest to the volume, is preferably used as a scraper ring for protecting the subsequent seals from particles, in particular from the starting materials 15 designed. A non-detailed executed preferably mechanical or electromotive piston feed device 14 outside the volume 3 the production chamber 1 is used for axial displacement, optionally also in addition a rotation of the piston 10 in the opening 5 ,

The piston has a volume 3 the production chamber directed piston crown 11 with a border area 12 on. Furthermore, the piston has a piston skirt directed to the lock element. On this piston head is by an alignable feed 17 of physical and / or chemical processing agents 18 a component 20 produced generatively. Simultaneously with the component, a means for sealing the production chamber, also by a generative production, is provided on the edge region of the piston crown.

By the piston feed device 14 outside the volume 3 the production chamber becomes the piston 10 in the opening 5 the lock element moves. With increasing height of the component on the piston head, the piston is successively from the lock element 4 moved out, so that the new generative plane to be produced of the component takes place during the generative manufacturing steps per layer at a constant height in the lock element.

Furthermore, on the edge area 12 of the piston crown 11 a means of sealing 19 the production chamber 1 arranged, whose outer cross-section preferably with that of the piston 10 matches. The lateral surfaces of the means for sealing and the piston are preferably in alignment and steplessly into one another. This ensures, when the cylinder is axially pulled out of the opening away from the volume, that the annular seals 9 even then act against a lateral surface, even if the cylinder was pulled out of the range of seals.

The around the piston 10 circumferential seals 9 are at least partially designed as a scraper ring. This will prevent physical or chemical process agents 17 pass between the piston skirt or the at least one means for sealing the production chamber and the lock element and reduce the quality of the seal.

The lock element has a flushing gas channel opening into the opening 6 , with at least one inlet 7 and an outlet 8th in and out of the opening, preferably as shown between two circumferential seals 9 , on. Through the flushing channel is the opening 5 the lock element durchspülbar. The purge gas channel also allows the extraction of remaining physical and / or chemical process agents 17 from the lock element.

The lock element of the production chamber is further characterized by a sealing surface facing the volume 15 on. One by guide means 22 or shifting means 23 sliding latch 16 lies on the sealing surface 15 and is preferably between the two aforementioned rest positions over the opening 5 the sluice element displaceable, eg for removal of the component while maintaining the process atmosphere in the production chamber. This will further prevent physical and / or chemical process agents 17 from the production chamber through the opening 5 get into an external environment. Furthermore, the latch is preferably provided with a stripping element 24 provided that prevents the physical and / or chemical processing agents on the sealing surface 15 enter the lock element and damage it there or between sealing surface 15 and bars 16 be trapped.

In 1a is the bolt 16 on the sealing surface 15 away from the opening 5 and does not obscure them, ie not even partially. The bolt is located in the aforementioned second rest position.

1b shows a further schematic diagram of the generative manufacturing plant according to the invention. Here arises through an additive manufacturing on the piston crown 11 by an alignable feeder 17 of physical and / or chemical processing agents 18 a component 20 and on the edge area 12 the piston crown means for sealing the production chamber 19 preferably simultaneously, preferably from the same starting materials and preferably by the same generative manufacturing steps. The at least one means of sealing 19 the production chamber 1 points in contrast to 1a a generatively produced end cap 21 on. When the piston is moved out of the lock element by the piston feed device, the means for sealing the production chamber assumes the function of the piston skirt and seals off the production chamber or the lock element from an external environment.

The end cap allows the removal of the composite of piston, component, means for sealing the production chamber and end cap from the lock element, preferably after flushing the lock element via the at least one flushing channel and closing the opening of the lock element by the bolt without physical and / or or chemical process agents enter the environment outside the production chamber. Excess physical and / or chemical process materials remain within the volume formed from the at least one means for sealing the manufacturing chamber and the end cap. These process means are sucked in a separate suction device after opening the end cap.

In 1b is the bar 16 on the sealing surface 15 over the opening 5 pushed and concealed them completely. The bolt is located in the aforementioned first rest position. The one in the opening 5 the purge element opening purge gas channel 6 , with at least one inlet 7 and at least one outlet 8th allows extraction of physical and / or chemical process materials remaining after additive manufacturing.

2 shows a perspective drawing of an embodiment of the embodiment according to 1 , wherein the lock element 4 a directed to the volume of the production chamber sealing surface 15 and one in the opening 5 the lock element positionable, replaceable piston 10 , As shown, the piston is preferably configured as a downwardly open hollow piston with a central piston rod engaging from below on the piston bottom, the piston rod being designed to be removable from the opening by pulling it out for further processing after removal of the piston. Furthermore, there is one on the sealing surface 15 of the lock element 4 sealing, sliding latch 16 in a middle position (bolt only partially covers opening) between the two aforementioned first and second rest positions.

In particular shows 2 the displacement mechanism for the on the sealing surface around the lock element 4 resting bolt 16 that by guiding means 22 (lateral guide slide rails, preferably on both sides of the bolt) and / or displacement means 23 (on top of the bar attacking push rod with tubular passage through the wall 2 ) on the sealing surface 15 is displaceable. The bolt has stripping elements, by means of which the process means are pushed beyond the sealing surface when the bolt is moved over the opening of the lock element. The scraper prevent by the fact that physical and / or chemical processing agents reach the sealing surface and reduce the quality of the seal between the bolt and sealing surface. Trajectories on which the bolt is displaced by the guide means and / or displacement means on the sealing surface is additionally protected, for example by flexible covers against particles.

Furthermore, in 2 as in 4 in detail a preferred embodiment of the purge gas channel 6 with a ring around the opening 5 arranged annular channels with several circumferentially distributed inlets 7 and outlets 8th shown. 4 also shows in addition, between the circumferential seals 9 arranged distribution structures 34 for the inlets and the outlets. The circumferential seals 9 are at least partially as fixed in the lock element ring seals 27 designed. The annular channels and thus the inlets and outlets are like the circumferential seals 9 arranged on axially aligned with the piston different planes. As a result, the purge gas is predominantly axially to the piston alignment between pistons 10 and Inner wall of the opening 5 directed. Preferably, the outlets 8th as shown closer to the volume 3 as the inlets 7 arranged, which aligns the purge gas flow in the direction of the volume and impurities are flowed back from the production chamber in an advantageous manner and so can not escape flowing past the outlets. Further, between the peripherally distributed inlets 7 and outlets 8th a circumferential seal 9 arranged. This has the advantage that the purge gas flows only in case of leaks, ie only when needed through the purge gas channel, thus causing a Spülgaseinsparung.

3 shows in an overview and a detailed representation of a section of a further perspective sectional view of an embodiment of the embodiment according to 1 and 2 , being the one around the piston 10 positionable, circumferential seals 9 at least partially as scraper rings 25 and / or as scraper rings 25 with sealing lip 26 and / or as a ring seal 27 are designed. The latch is in the second rest position (latch does not cover opening). On the piston bottom 11 There is also a layer of a component 20 as well as in the area of the edge area 12 in addition to the component with built-up means for sealing 19 (Detail view), wherein the respective upper edges in a plane with the sealing surface 15 lie. The gap between the component and the seal on the one hand and the piston crown and the aforementioned plane in extension of the sealing surface on the other hand is filled in the illustration with unprocessed starting materials (proportion of physical and chemical process agents). 5 shows the embodiment according to 2 to 4 , but with one component 20 and means for sealing 19 in an advanced generative manufacturing stage. The piston 10 is already completely out of the opening 5 pulled out so the seals 9 no longer on the piston skirt surface 13 but on the lateral surface of the means for sealing 19 attack. The bolt 16 is located on the sealing surface 15 away from the opening 5 ie in the second rest position.

6 shows a lock element of the generative manufacturing plant according to the invention, wherein in the production chamber 1 additionally an abrasive machine tool 32 , as for example, a milling, EDM, Abspan- or Laserabtragsanlage, preferably a grinding or milling machine is arranged. The machine tool is preferably close above the lock element 4 arranged so that the workpiece 20 or the means for sealing 19 Preferably, without removal from the lock element between two production steps are mechanically machined. As a result, the surface, for example, of a previously generatively produced layer of the component or of the at least one means for sealing the production chamber before the application of another layer can be processed. Irregularities that have arisen on the surface of the component or the means for sealing the production chamber by the generative manufacturing process are thereby smoothed. For example, those with the seals 9 optimize interacting lateral surfaces. For a processing of the lateral surfaces, as in 6 shown, the piston with the workpiece 20 and the means for sealing 19 inserted into the volume, which protrudes from the opening lateral surface areas for the machine tool 32 become accessible. In the example shown, the machine tool is a grinding machine with a rotating cylindrical grinding head (direction of rotation indicated by lower small arrow around the grinding head), which in the post-processing along the lateral surface of the means for sealing 19 is guided (direction of rotation indicated by upper large arrow above the component). Likewise, the surface roughness of the component and / or the means for sealing the production chamber is changeable, whereby, for example, hollow structures in components can still be processed before closing in subsequent processing steps.

Literature:

• [1] Gibson, D. Rosen and B. Stucker, Additive Manufacturing Technologies, Springer Science + Business Media New York 2010, 2015 ,
• [2] A. Gebhardt, Generative Manufacturing Processes, Hanser Verlag Munich 2013 ,
• [3] US 2015/0321255 A1
• [4] GB 2539485 A
• [5] US 2016/0001364 A1
• [6] DE 10 2004 057 866 A1
• [7] DE 10 2014 014 895 A1

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

production chamber

2

wall

3

volume

4

lock element

5

opening

6

Purge gas channel

7

inlet

8th

outlet

9

poetry

10

piston

11

piston crown

12

border area

13

piston skirt

14

Piston feeder

15

sealing surface

16

bars

17

feed

18

Physical and / or chemical process agents

19

Means for sealing

20

component

21

end cap

22

guide means

23

displacement means

24

stripping element

25

scraper

26

sealing lip

27

ring seal

28

channel

29

bore

30

arc segment

31

Elbows

32

Abrasive machine tool

33

shell

34

distribution structure

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2015/0321255 A1 [0089]
• GB 2539485 A [0089]
• US 2016/0001364 A1 [0089]
• DE 102004057866 A1 [0089]
• DE 102014014895 A1 [0089]

Cited non-patent literature

• Gibson, D. Rosen and B. Stucker, Additive Manufacturing Technologies, Springer Science + Business Media New York 2010, 2015 [0089]
• A. Gebhardt, Generative Manufacturing Processes, Hanser Verlag Munich 2013 [0089]

Claims (24)

Generative production plant, comprising a) a production chamber (1) having a wall (2) about a volume (3), b) at least one sluice element (4) inserted into the wall (2), the sluice element (4) having an opening (5) with at least one flushing gas channel (6) opening into it, each with at least one inlet (7) and one outlet (8), c) a sealingly in the opening (5) of the lock element (4) with at least one positionable circumferential seal (9) and slidably inserted in a piston feed direction piston (10) having a volume (3) directed piston head (11) with an edge region (12) and a seal (9) in the lock element (4) directed piston skirt (13), d) a piston feed device (14) for at least one axial displaceability of the piston (10) in the opening (5) of the lock element (4) in the piston feed direction outside the volume (3), e) a sealing surface (15) provided on the lock element (4) around the opening (5) and facing the volume, on which at least one displaceable latch (16) rests, f) at least one alignable feed (17) of physical and / or chemical processing means (18). Generative production plant after Claim 1 , characterized in that on the edge region (12) of the piston head (11) at least one means for sealing (19) of the production chamber (1) is placed, wherein the means has an outer wall in alignment with the piston skirt (13). Generative production plant after Claim 2 , characterized in that the at least one means for sealing (19) of the production chamber (1) has an end cap (21), Generative production plant after Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the at least one means for sealing (19) of the production chamber is formed at least partially by the component (20) to be produced by the generative manufacturing plant. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lock element (4) has guide means (22) and / or displacement means (23), wherein the at least one latch (16) is guided by the guide means (22) and / or displacement means (23 ) on the sealing surface (15) can be guided and / or displaced. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the at least one latch (16) on the sealing surface (15) between two end positions is displaceable, b) in a first end position of the bolt, the opening (5) of the lock element ( 4) is completely covered, c) in a second end position the latch is positioned away from the opening (5) and d) the piston bottom (11) is flush with the sealing surface (15) of the lock element (4) and / or below the sealing surface (15) of the lock element (4) is lowered. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one latch (16) has at least one stripping element (24). Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one positionable circumferential seal (9) as a scraper ring (25) and / or as a scraper ring (25) with sealing lip (26) around the piston skirt (13) of the piston (10) configured is. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the positionable circumferential seals (9) is configured as within the lock element (4) fixed ring seal. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston (10) and the opening (5) of the lock element (4) have a circular cross-section. Generative manufacturing plant according to one of the aforementioned Claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that the piston (10) and the opening (5) of the lock element (4) have a polygonal cross-section with or without rounded corners. Generative manufacturing plant according to one of the aforementioned Claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that the piston (10) and the opening (5) of the lock element (4) have an elliptical or oval cross section. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the piston head (11) and the sealing surface (15) and the and on that resting bolt (16) are arranged parallel to each other. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston head (11) and the overlying latch (16) are arranged horizontally or vertically or inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston head (11) is arranged perpendicular to the piston feed direction of the component. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston head (11) is arranged at an angle between 0 ° and 60 ° inclined to the piston feed direction of the component. Generative manufacturing plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston head (11) and the sealing surface (15) and the and on that resting bolt (16) are arranged horizontally. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (5) and the piston (10) perpendicular to the piston head (11) and / or the sealing surface (15) are aligned. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston head (11) and / or the sealing surface (15) are aligned horizontally from below to the volume (3) or vertically. Generative production plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the volume (3) of the production chamber (1) an eroding machine tool (32) is arranged. Method for producing a component (20) with a generative production plant according to one of the Claims 1 to 20 comprising the following method steps a) providing the generative production plant with a production chamber (1) and physical and chemical processing means (18) within the production chamber, suitable for the generative production of the component, b) positioning the bolt (16) on the sealing surface (15 ) in a first position above the opening (5) of the lock element, the opening being completely covered by the lock, c) providing a process atmosphere by introducing an inert gas into the volume (3) of the production chamber (1), d) Insertion in the piston feed direction and positioning of the piston (10) in the opening (5) of the lock element (4), wherein the piston head (11) is positioned below the bolt (16), e) displacement of the bolt (16) on the sealing surface (15 ) in a second position away from the opening (5), f) in layers generative structure of a component (20) with several layers on the piston head (11), comprising e i) introducing physical and chemical process means (18) into the opening on the piston plates, ii) processing a layer as a part of the component (20) with a generatively manufactured height from at least part of the physical and chemical Process means (18) via the piston head, iii) moving the piston (10) by a path length corresponding to the generatively manufactured height from the volume (3) away from the opening (5) of the lock element (4), g) positioning the bolt (16 ) on the sealing surface (15) in the first position above the opening (5) of the lock element, wherein the opening is completely covered by the bolt, h) removal of the physical and chemical processing means (18) between piston head (11) and bolt (16 ), which are not involved in a layer, i) pulling out the piston (10) with the component (20) from the opening (5) of the lock element (4) in Kolbenvors chubrichtung away from the volume (3), j) releasing the component (20) from the piston head (11). Method according to Claim 21 , characterized in that with method step f) at least one means for sealing (19) of the production chamber (1) on the edge region (12) of the piston head (11) is generatively built up in layers, wherein the means an outer wall in alignment with the piston skirt (13) as well as with method step j) a release of the means for sealing (19) takes place. Method according to Claim 22 , characterized in that method step f) further generatively builds up a layered generative construction of a closed end cap (21) with at least one layer on the means for sealing (19) of the production chamber (1) and around the component (20). Method according to Claim 23 comprising closing the bolt (19) of the manufacturing chamber (1) while simultaneously extracting physical and chemical process means (18) not incorporated in a layer between the component (20) and the at least one sealing means (19) the production chamber (1).

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