DE102019212679A1 - Provision module for a 3D printing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a provision module for a 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, the provision module comprising: a base body; at least one holder arranged on the base body for holding a construction volume; Coupling means to couple the holder to a building volume in a 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine and / or in a building volume store and / or in an unpacking station and / or in a tempering furnace and / or in another processing station, the base body being preferred is movable, in particular by means of a drive. The invention also relates to a corresponding system with a supply module, 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine and building volume storage and a corresponding method.

Description

The invention relates to a provision module for a 3D printing machine, for example a machine using selective laser melting (SLM machine), for providing a construction volume, preferably a construction volume and a process space, for the 3D printing machine. The invention also relates to a system with a 3D printing machine and a supply module and a method for operating a 3D printing machine.

3D printing machines are preferably understood to mean machines that build / produce a three-dimensional object by applying material as a thin layer to a building surface or the like, selectively solidifying the material using a suitable technique such as laser melting, binding agents or the like, and another layer is applied and selectively solidified until the desired three-dimensional object is built up. 3D printing machines are preferably also to be understood as meaning all machines that use a method from the method group known by the term “additive manufacturing” (AM).

Selective laser melting is a preferred example of a 3D printing process / printing machine, which is made possible by the use of metals such as titanium, steel alloys, copper alloys, aluminum alloys and precious metals or also ceramic materials.

Another example of 3D printing processes / printing machines is binder jetting.

In SLM processes, a raw material powder is fused in successively prepared layers by irradiation with radiation, preferably a laser beam corresponding to a cross-sectional pattern of the shaped body assigned to the respective layer, to form coherent areas to produce a shaped body on the basis of geometry description data of a model of the shaped body. For this purpose, the radiation is guided over the respective powder layer in accordance with the relevant geometry description data of the model, this powder layer being connected to the layer below by the melting process. The geometry description data is generally 3D CAD data of the model of the molded body to be produced.

An SLM device / machine usually comprises a carrier for the layer structure, an irradiation device for irradiating the material powder layer last prepared on the carrier in a cross-sectional area of the model of the shaped body assigned to this layer with radiation, in particular focused laser radiation, which the material powder in this Brings the cross-sectional area to fuse by heating, a leveling and smoothing device for preparing the respective following material powder layer on the last irradiated layer and a control device.

The process is usually carried out under inert gas or under inert gas conditions. This means that a protective gas atmosphere is maintained in the process space or building volume, the corresponding protective gas / protective gas mixture being selected on the basis that it is very little reactive towards the material powder. Otherwise, there is too great a risk of exothermic reactions with the strong heating during melting.

For the state of the art of SLM technology, for example DE 196 49 865 C1 and the DE 199 05 067 A1 to get expelled.

The time required for the actual process of preparing the layers and melting the corresponding areas with the aid of the laser is already relatively large. The time required is further increased, since after each manufacturing process or before each manufacturing process, set-up time is required to carry out corresponding preparation and follow-up steps with regard to the construction volume, the process space and / or other elements. Depending on the exact configuration of the machine, this includes, for example, the generation of a protective gas atmosphere with the corresponding materials, cleaning of the construction volume or the process room from non-melted powder or other powder residues or other contamination, cleaning of the manufactured object to remove powder residues and / or contamination, possible preheating or Cooling processes, sterilization of the building volume or the process room and the like.

During the set-up time until the next construction process, the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine cannot be used for the production of another object on previous 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines, because the preparation and follow-up steps are based on the construction volume or Process room executed in the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine. At the same time, the execution of some of this work is made more difficult by the fact that the building volume and / or process space are in the 3D printing machine. As a result, the corresponding areas are not easily accessible from all sides, for example. This increases the risk of mistakes.

Overall, the number of objects that can be produced per unit of time is therefore too small. At the same time, preparation and follow-up are error-prone and complicated.

The object of the present invention is thus to increase the number of objects that can be produced per unit of time with a 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine and at the same time to make preparation and follow-up easier and safer.

This object is achieved by a provision module according to the invention according to claim 1, a system according to the invention according to claim 10 and / or a method according to the invention according to claim 14. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is preferably compatible with the applications with the application number DE 10 2019 200 680.9 disclosed items. This application relates to modular SLM machines, in particular of the type that the structural volume and / or the process space can be taken from the modular SLM machine. The construction volume can also include a double piston system with two cylinders, one cylinder being used to provide the powder for the planned construction process. The pistons run in opposite directions. In this way, the required amount of powder is easily made available for the next construction process. The present invention thus relates in particular to a provision module according to the invention which is preferably suitable for use in the modular SLM machines described in the cited application. The registration is accordingly DE 10 2019 200 680.9 hereby incorporated by reference, in particular to the effect that the SLM machines described in this application and mentioned in the claims can have some or all of the features that are described in the applications DE 10 2019 200 680.9 for SLM machines are disclosed.

The system according to the invention preferably includes one in the application DE 10 2019 200 680.9 disclosed machine

• - einen Grundkörper;
• - mindestens einen am Grundkörper angeordneten Halter zum Haltern eines Bauvolumens;
• - Kopplungsmittel um den Halter an ein Bauvolumen in einer 3D-Druckmaschine und/oder SLM-Maschine und/oder in einem Bauvolumenlager und/oder in einer Auspackstation und/oder in einem Temperofen und/oder in einer anderen Bearbeitungsstation zu koppeln, wobei der Grundkörper bevorzugt beweglich ist, insbesondere mittels eines Antriebes.

A provision module according to the invention for a 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine comprises:

• - a base body;
• - At least one holder arranged on the base body for holding a construction volume;
• - Coupling means to couple the holder to a building volume in a 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine and / or in a building volume store and / or in an unpacking station and / or in a tempering furnace and / or in another processing station, the base body is preferably movable, in particular by means of a drive.

A separate drive for the supply module according to the invention is a preferred variant. In other embodiments, however, the provision module can also be designed without its own drive and then moved by operating personnel or by means of conveyor belts, grippers, cranes, industrial trucks, lift trucks and the like. As an alternative or in addition to its own drive, the provision module according to the invention can therefore be provided with interface means which serve to transmit power for the movement, such as handles for pushing by operating personnel, openings, in particular lateral and continuous, for inserting forks of an industrial truck, a coupling for Connection to a vehicle or an upper engagement area for gripping by a crane. In some design variants it is also possible to dispense with running means such as rollers or runners on the supply module, for example in that the supply module is designed to be lifted and moved by an industrial truck or a crane.

A separate drive and its own running means are therefore preferred in the provision module according to the invention, but in principle all of the claimed and / or described embodiments and features according to the invention cannot have their own drive and / or their own running means. Because for the exchange of construction volume and / or process space made possible by the provision module according to the invention, it is in principle sufficient if the provision module can be moved to a 3D printing machine, and certain means of achieving this are only preferred.

This can significantly increase the utilization of 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines. Because many work steps relating to the preparation / preparation of the construction volume for the manufacturing process in the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine or the 3D printing process and / or SLM process do not even have to be in the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine respectively. This also applies to steps relating to post-processing of the building volume and / or the manufactured item.

With the provision module according to the invention, it is possible to remove the build volume shortly after or even immediately after the completion of the 3D printing process and / or SLM process. This means that a further construction volume can be added to the 3D printing machine and / or SLM Machine can be used and another 3D printing process and / or SLM process can be carried out promptly.

The post-processing steps are carried out on the removed construction volume at least partially or ideally completely at a location outside of the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine. The construction volume can then also be prepared / prepared outside the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine for a further 3D printing process and / or SLM process.

When the 3D printing process and / or SLM process with the further construction volume is then completed, this can in turn be removed promptly and the re-prepared construction volume is reinserted in the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine and the next 3D printing process and / or the SLM process begins. By means of the provision module according to the invention, it is therefore always possible to provide and / or keep a serviced and ready-to-use construction volume, preferably including a serviced and ready-to-use process space, available for an exchange.

The provision module preferably comprises a control data processing unit and / or a receiving unit connected to the drive for preferably automatic control of the provision module, for example by appropriate programming of the control data processing unit or by sending / receiving appropriate signals.

In particular, the provision module according to the invention is used together with a central control unit which is designed to monitor and remotely control the movement of a plurality of provision modules.

The drive preferably comprises at least one motor and several rollers, at least some of the rollers preferably being designed to be rotatable and / or to run on rails.

This means that, thanks to the provision module according to the invention, the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, interrupted only by relatively short pauses for the change of construction volumes, almost continuously executes 3D printing processes and / or SLM processes, which means that the utilization of the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine is significantly increased.

In particular, the provision module according to the invention offers advantages in a production system with several 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines. Because the 3D printing processes and / or SLM processes are very time-consuming compared to changing the construction volume and the preparation and follow-up steps. Thus, by means of the supply module according to the invention, several 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines can be regularly supplied with new construction volumes so that the several 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines used in the production plant are almost uninterrupted in 3D printing processes and / or SLM- Run processes.

Particularly preferred for a production system with several 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines are embodiments of the supply module, which are described in more detail below and which can transport two or more construction volumes, preferably including process rooms. As a result, a provision module can set up several 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines one after the other in a short time.

Thus, a provision module according to the invention can optimize the utilization of several 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines at once.

The coupling can take place in various ways depending on the design of the 3D printing machine and the construction volume and / or the process space. In the simplest case, the construction volume and / or the process space are held and / or held within the framework of the coupling by the 3D printing machine or the provision module or another processing station. But coupling can also include other things, such as the connection of the structural volume and / or the process space with lines, in particular electrical and / or suitable for fluids and / or gases (inert gases), with motors and / or gears and / or power transmission means, in particular one Elevator of the 3D printing machine for lowering / raising a construction site, and / or with heaters and / or with sensors of the respective machine or device.

Since the preprocessing and postprocessing steps can take place in parallel to the construction processes, a provision module, a processing station, a preprocessing station and a postprocessing station and / or a construction volume store may be sufficient for the multiple 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines to store multiple 3D printing machines. To supply printing machines and / or SLM machines permanently with pre-prepared construction volumes.

This is particularly advantageous since the 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines are relatively expensive components and thus the increased Utilization saves costs and improves the efficiency of the capital employed.

Preparatory and / or preparation steps and / or preparation and / or preparation are to be understood as meaning all processes / work steps that are usually carried out or even have to be performed before a first powder layer is processed as part of the 3D printing process and / or SLM process / or is irradiated.

Examples of this would be cleaning the construction volume, especially of powder residues from the previous 3D printing process and / or SLM process, filling / topping up a powder reservoir, sealing the construction volume, removing gas or other residues from a previous process, cleaning the process room of process residues from the previous construction process, the creation of a certain atmosphere in the construction volume and / or in the process room, in particular a protective gas atmosphere, the supply or removal of gases or energy from or into the construction volume, in particular via the supply module, the calibration of a powder feed device, the calibration of a powder distribution device, the provision of powder next to or above the construction field by means of the powder feed device, the formation of a first powder layer on the construction field and / or the replacement and / or the repair and / or the maintenance and / or control examinations of any of the gena nth and / or other components and / or elements of the construction volume and / or the process space. There may be further steps with regard to maintenance and / or cleaning of the beam optics and / or the irradiation device and / or the binder jetting device, such as cleaning a coupling window or a coupling disk (these are used to couple the laser into the process space) and / or calibration / cleaning of beam deflectors and / or cleaning of nozzles.

Depending on the design of the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, such steps can also only take place after the construction volume has been inserted into the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine. The preparation of the first powder layer on the construction site should usually only take place when the construction volume is positioned for the implementation of the 3D printing process and / or SLM process.

When using the supply module according to the invention, some, a part, most and / or all of the aforementioned steps can take place before the construction volume is inserted into the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine by means of the supply module.

Post-processing steps and / or post-processing steps and / or post-processing and / or post-processing are to be understood as all processes / work steps that are usually carried out or even have to be carried out after a last powder layer has been processed in the context of the 3D printing process and / or SLM process / or a production of an object or a blank or a green part is completed.

Examples of this would be the annealing, preheating and / or heating of the construction area, the construction volume, the process room and / or a manufactured object in the construction volume, cleaning the construction volume and / or the manufactured object, in particular of residues from the previous 3D printing process and / or SLM -Process, the removal of the manufactured object from the construction volume, a removal of or equipping the construction volume with one or more substrate plates, a check of a heater, in particular of the construction field and / or the construction cylinder, a surface treatment of the manufactured object, for example by means of a material jet and / or a gas jet and / or a liquid jet, the recovery and / or sieving of applied but not fused building powder, the control / inspection of the manufactured object, the filling / topping up of a powder reservoir, the sealing of the building volume, the removal of residues of a vo rherigen process, the production of a certain atmosphere in the construction volume, in particular a protective gas atmosphere, the supply or discharge of gases from or into the construction volume, the calibration of a powder feed device, the calibration of a powder distribution device, the provision of powder next to or above the construction field by means of the powder feed device, the Forming a first powder layer on the construction field and / or the replacement and / or the repair and / or the maintenance and / or control examinations of any of the named and / or other components and / or elements of the construction volume.

Depending on the design of the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, such steps can, however, also take place before removing the construction volume from the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine.

When using the supply module according to the invention, some, a part, most and / or all of the aforementioned steps can take place after the construction volume is removed from the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine by means of the supply module.

As can be seen from the sometimes double mentioning of a preparation step and a post-processing step, the assignment is not mandatory, because each preparation step with regard to the next 3D printing process and / or SLM process can also be a post-processing step with regard to the previous 3D printing process and / or SLM process , because the same construction volume can be used for both processes.

Correspondingly, post-processing steps are preferably also to be understood as meaning some and / or all preparation steps. Accordingly, preparatory steps are preferably also to be understood as meaning some and / or all post-processing steps.

The provision module according to the invention is preferably designed to carry out some, a part, many and / or all of the preparatory and / or follow-up steps and / or to carry out and / or support them in part while the construction volume is held by the processing module according to the invention and / or the To hand over construction volume to at least one processing station which is designed to carry out some, a part, many and / or all preparation and / or follow-up steps and / or to carry out and / or support them in part.

Such a processing station can be a volume storage facility, a tempering furnace, an unpacking station and / or another processing station commonly used in the context of 3D printing processes and / or SLM processes and / or 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines.

The provision module according to the invention preferably comprises at least two holders, so that at least one construction volume can be held while another construction volume is in the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine and / or in the construction volume storage and / or in the unpacking station and / or in the tempering furnace and / or is placed in the other processing station and / or removed therefrom.

This offers the advantage that the provision module according to the invention can carry a further already prepared building volume with it when the building volume used is removed from the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine. The 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine can then be equipped very quickly with the prepared construction volume carried along and start another 3D printing process and / or SLM process, which further shortens the downtimes of the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine become.

A prepared building volume is to be understood as a building volume that is prepared, preferably completely, for insertion in a 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine. This can mean in particular that all preparatory steps taking place outside of the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine have been carried out on this construction volume.

A used construction volume is to be understood as a construction volume in which a 3D printing process and / or SLM process was recently completed and preferably in which a manufactured object or a plurality of manufactured objects is or are contained. This can mean in particular that all post-processing steps taking place outside the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine have not yet been carried out on this construction volume.

The base body of the supply module according to the invention preferably comprises a holder drive in order to move the holder relative to the base body.

This offers the advantage that movements of the base body that may be required for positioning with regard to inserting / removing a structural volume can be replaced by movements of the holder that are usually less complex technically. For example, by not rotating the entire base body, but only rotating the holder around the base body in order to be positioned for insertion / removal.

This is particularly preferably done in combination with the feature of two or more holders. Because then, with suitable positioning of the supply module, it is possible to remove a used construction volume from a 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine with a holder and insert a construction volume carried in another holder into the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, i.e. a Exchange of a construction volume, can be carried out without the provision module having to be moved as a whole.

A supply module according to the invention can thus preferably have two or more holders that are rotatable around the base body and / or mounted on the base body so that they can be raised and lowered. For an exchange, it is sufficient to carry a prepared construction volume in one holder, the provision module is positioned once for the exchange, the free holder is turned towards the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine or a corresponding opening thereof, the construction volume used is removed, the previously free holder is turned away and the holder with the prepared construction volume becomes a 3D The printing machine and / or SLM machine is turned towards the front, the prepared building volume is used and only then is it necessary to move the supply module as a whole again, for example to bring the building volume used to a processing station and / or the building volume store.

The holder drive can preferably move the holder at least in one holder plane along a closed curve, preferably a circle or an ellipse, the holder plane preferably being parallel to a plane of movement in which the drive moves the base body.

This can mean in particular that the holder plane is parallel to a floor on which the supply module stands or is moved.

This is particularly advantageous in the configuration with several holders. Because then a holder drive is sufficient, which turns the respective holder towards the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, whereby other holders are simultaneously turned away from the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, whereby one holder drive when positioning the supply module Suitable for the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, exactly one holder suitable for insertion / removal can always be placed without any other movements being required.

These different versions further accelerate the exchange of a building volume.

The supply module preferably comprises movement means to move the holder into and out of the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine and / or into the building volume storage and / or into the unpacking station and / or into the tempering furnace and / or into the other processing station, to move the build volume in and out.

It is true that the construction volume could also be moved in some other way, for example via elements of the supply module that act directly on the construction volume and / or by corresponding elements of the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine.

However, since a structural volume is held by a holder anyway, a preferred variant is that the structural volume is moved into / out of the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine by moving the holder, since then only the coupling means are left of the holder must be actuated.

The coupling means are preferably also designed to couple the holder to a process space and / or to couple it to a structural volume connected to the process space.

As a result, the construction volume and process space can be exchanged at the same time by means of the supply module according to the invention, in particular as a unit.

This offers advantages because the process space, like the building volume, requires corresponding preparation and post-processing steps. This can involve all of the corresponding steps mentioned with regard to the construction volume, such as cleaning.

But there are also specific work steps for the process space, such as cleaning, a new calibration and / or control of the beam optics and / or at least one coupling window through which the beam enters the process space. The preparation or post-processing steps of the process room preferably include cleaning of the coupling window, cleaning of all process room components, maintenance of a coating system, replacement of coater lips, adjustment of the coater (s), checking of sensors, in particular sensors for oxygen, atmospheric composition, pressure, Powder, laser power and / or temperature and / or a check of plug connections.

The supply module according to the invention preferably comprises sealing means, preferably a cover handling element, a connection handling element and / or a gas connection, which are designed to seal the structural volume and / or the process space, for example by closing and / or connecting openings or lines and / or to keep them under a protective gas atmosphere, preferably to seal automatically and / or to keep it under a protective gas atmosphere. Lid handling elements are to be understood here in particular as slides and / or grippers that can slide, grip and / or move a lid, in particular a lid mounted on the supply module and / or the 3D printing machine and / or the construction volume and / or the process space.

As a result, construction volumes can be kept inert both when inserting and when removing them from the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, in particular by avoiding contact with room air and / or maintaining a protective gas atmosphere.

In this context, inert is to be understood as meaning that the building volume and / or the process space or at least the building powder and / or the object located therein in one State in which chemical reactions are unlikely. For example, an inert state of the building volume can thus be achieved in which the building powder is surrounded by a protective gas with which the building powder cannot react.

This is advantageous for certain powder materials that are particularly reactive, such as titanium. If the building volume with titanium material is removed in a non-inert manner, there is a high risk of a titanium fire which generally destroys the respective devices, since in particular titanium powder and titanium smoke residues are very easily flammable under normal air.

As the titanium material is kept inert within the building volume, it is unproblematic if the building volume is removed from the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine with the titanium material still warm or hot, which means that removal is quicker after the end of the 3D printing process and / or SLM Process is possible.

Furthermore, it may also be necessary for post-processing steps to heat the construction volume and / or the manufactured object, for example during baking or tempering. Depending on the material, an inert state or a protective gas atmosphere is also required here. The creation of a protective gas atmosphere is usually more complex than maintaining one. It is therefore advantageous if the supply module keeps a structural volume and, if appropriate, including the process space inert, and can transfer it inertly to a processing station.

A cover handling element can, for example, simply be a slide which pushes / folds a cover fixedly arranged on the building volume in such a way that the top of the building volume is sealed. The underside can be designed to be sealed anyway. However, covers can also be provided which close lines, valves and / or lower openings and / or lateral openings, preferably automatically.

The sealing means can, however, also be automatically locking connections / lines, in particular gas-carrying, powder-carrying and / or electrical ones, of the construction volume, the process space and / or the supply module, which are automatically connected to complementary connections when the holder is coupled to a construction volume and / or to a process space / Connect or lock the lines of the construction volume, the process room and / or the supply module.

Accordingly, a supply module according to the invention can also comprise means for protective gas atmosphere, such as, for example, a protective gas tank and / or a gas pump and / or similar devices.

Inert handling can be implemented particularly advantageously if the holders are designed for removing structural volumes and process space that are connected to one another. This is because the structural volume and process space generally form a unit that is sealed apart from the inert gas connections.

When removing or inserting such a combined volume / process space object, only small covers or flaps or valves need to close the connections / lines of the volume / process space object, the previous connections - for example to the gas system of the 3D printing machine and / or SLM -Machine and / or the gas system of the supply module - are separated, the building volume process space object is moved out or inserted and the connections / lines from the supply module or 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine are automatically connected, which means that the Protective gas atmosphere is ensured.

The separation and / or connection of lines, connections and the like, or the processes and devices required for this, can be provided wholly or partially on the supply module or by the supply module and / or can be wholly or partly on the building volume, process space and / or the 3D -Printing machine be provided or take place through the construction volume, process space and / or the 3D printing machine.

Depending on how long a building volume process room object has to be held by the provision module - which can depend, for example, on the length of the transport route - it can also be sufficient to simply close the connections / lines of the building volume process room object, since with one simple The protective gas atmosphere remains sufficiently good for a certain period of time without further gas supply only when the building volume process room object is closed.

The provision module according to the invention preferably comprises an energy supply and / or an energy guide and / or an energy store and / or an accumulator and electrical connections for connection, preferably for automatic connection to a heating element in the provision module and / or one arranged in the structural volume and / or in the process space Heating element for heating the building volume, the process space and / or parts of it. Such heating elements can be particularly advantageous if the temperature of a manufactured item before certain post-processing steps are carried out Item should not fall below a certain value.

The provision module according to the invention preferably comprises sensors and / or evaluation electronics and / or an evaluation data processing unit and / or connections for connection to sensors and / or sensor connections of the building volume and / or the process space. This is advantageous if monitoring during the storage and / or transport of the building volume and / or the process space is required, for example to monitor the drop in a temperature of the manufactured object below a limit and / or suitable heat energy to the building volume and / or the To supply process space.

This is advantageous if, after removing a structural volume and / or a manufactured object, another processing step at high temperature has to be carried out, for example baking or tempering. Because then the supply of the heating element located in the building volume with energy / current / voltage prevents a premature cooling and thus an extension of the subsequent step.

In the case of processing stations that are currently being used for other purposes, it also allows the structural volume to be left with the supply module for a longer period in order to then feed it to one of the processing stations at a later time, and nevertheless not to risk premature cooling that is problematic.

The supply module preferably comprises transmitting and / or receiving means for communication with a central controller and / or for position determination, sensors for determining the position of the supply module and / or holder, a data processing unit for controlling the movement of the supply module and / or holder and / or a powder supply / a Powder storage for supplying a 3D printing machine and / or a building volume with building powder.

The powder supply and / or the powder storage can both be designed to supply the structural volume or the process space directly with powder, for example so that a first powder layer can be prepared before it is inserted into the 3D printing machine. Or the powder supply and / or powder storage can alternatively and / or additionally be designed to fill a powder storage and / or a powder reservoir of an installation volume, a process space and / or a 3D printing machine.

The latter can be advantageous because the supply module has to be moved towards a 3D printing device for inserting / removing a construction volume. If the supply module can then also supply the 3D printing device with new construction powder at the same time, an alternative supply option can be dispensed with and time is saved, because the 3D printing device is rather not in operation while a construction volume is being exchanged, so that powder can be used a powder reservoir can be refilled.

Alternatively or additionally, however, a powder reservoir or the like can also be provided in the structural volume and / or in the process space. This has the advantage that the building volume and / or process space are provided directly with the powder required for the manufacturing process during preparation. In a particularly preferred variant, a structural volume used within the scope of the invention comprises a double cylinder or double piston, which is preferably operated via a common drive, so that lowering one piston means raising the other. By using two cylinders, one piston can be moved down sufficiently in a preparation step to provide space for the required powder, while the other piston, for example, is moved up to the maximum and placed on this substrate plate. During operation, the piston with powder above it is moved up so far that, for example, a slide pushes a sufficient amount of powder over the flat surface located between the cylinders to the other cylinder or piston. At the same time, this is moved down far enough so that the amount of powder pushed over from the other cylinder can be distributed as a powder layer, with the corresponding areas subsequently being solidified. This is repeated until the object is completed, at the end of which the piston, which was moved almost all the way up at the beginning, has moved far down and above this piston the manufactured object or objects and a large part or all of the non-solidified powder are during the other piston has moved almost or completely upwards. Depending on the efficiency of the powder distribution and displacement, the two pistons can have the same or different piston area, for example to compensate for powder losses when moving from one cylinder to the other so that both pistons have a common drive that lifts one piston and the other lowers.

A system according to the invention comprises a supply module according to the invention and at least one 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, preferably with a closable removal opening for removing a construction volume and / or a process room and a construction volume storage for storing at least one Build volume and / or a process space, preferably further comprising an unpacking station and / or a tempering furnace and / or another processing station.

The system according to the invention can also be designed with all of the other elements and devices described above with regard to the use of the supply module according to the invention, for example corresponding gas systems and / or energy supply in / on the supply module, the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, the unpacking station and / or the tempering furnace and / or the other processing station.

Furthermore, all elements and devices can also be designed in the sense of what has been described above with regard to the processing module. For example, that the gas connections of the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine are designed to automatically establish a connection with a construction volume and / or a process space that is inserted into the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine and / or automatically the connection to be separated by closing the connections when the construction volume and / or the process space is removed.

As already described with regard to the supply module according to the invention, a system according to the invention allows a considerably better utilization of the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine or preferably the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine to be realized.

Preferably, 2, more than 2, more than 5, more than 10, more than 15 and / or more than 20 and / or precisely such a number of 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines are provided per delivery module. Because while the 3D printing process and / or SLM process can take a relatively long time, the exchange of construction volume / process space can be carried out quickly, with which a provision module according to the invention can keep a large number of 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines equipped.

The same applies to other processing stations that have long processing times, such as unpacking stations and / or tempering ovens.

Other processing stations and also the building volume store are, however, preferably provided in a correspondingly smaller number per provision module. In particular, several supply modules can also be provided for each building volume store.

In a variant, one or more 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines can also be provided with at least two SLM brackets for holding construction volume and / or process space, in at least one of which the construction volume and / or the process space for a 3D printing The printing process and / or SLM process can be held in a process position, and in at least one of which the construction volume and / or the process space can be held in a removal position for removal by the holder of the supply module, the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine comprises a movement device to move the construction volume and / or the process space from the process position to the removal position, preferably by the SLM holders being movable from the removal position to the process position and vice versa, particularly preferably so that an SLM holder can be moved from the removal position to the process position is, while another SLM holder from the process position to the removal po position is movable, preferably by the SLM brackets being mounted on a rotating unit of the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine.

As a result, at the end of a 3D printing process and / or SLM process, a pre-prepared building volume and / or process space housing can be moved from the removal position to the process position immediately, while the building volume used is moved to the removal position at the same time (for example by corresponding rotation of both in the same direction ).

This allows the next 3D printing process and / or SLM process to begin, even if the provision module is not yet available. Because of the long 3D printing process and / or SLM process, there is enough time for this to remove the used construction volume / process space and replace it with a pre-prepared one.

Of course, all devices necessary for the waiting state similar to the devices of the supply module described above can be provided at the removal position, such as a gas system to maintain the protective gas atmosphere in the building volume used, and / or an energy supply to ensure that the building volume is heated.

In some variants, provision can also be made for the removal position to be designed as a tempering furnace, so that the tempering in the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine can take place in the removal position and only then is the removal carried out by the supply module.

However, there is a limit to the provision of processing stations and / or functionalities at / in the removal position that the processes there must not disrupt the 3D printing process and / or SLM process taking place simultaneously in the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine. Depending on the application, materials and other parameters, this excludes baking or tempering at the removal position in some cases.

The building volume storage and / or the other processing station and / or the unpacking station and / or the tempering furnace preferably comprises processing stations and / or means for preparing a building volume and / or a process space for a 3D printing process and / or SLM process and / or for Post-treatment of a building volume and / or a process room and / or a manufactured object.

This processing station and / or processing means can relate to some, a part, most and / or all of the pre- and / or post-treatment steps described above and / or be designed to carry out such.

The building volume store preferably comprises supply means in order to supply a building volume and / or a process space and / or a manufactured object to processing stations and / or means for preparation and / or for post-treatment and / or to supply it to a storage area.

The 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine and / or the building volume storage and / or the unpacking station and / or the tempering furnace and / or the other processing station are preferably designed; when a building volume and / or a process space is introduced, the building volume and / or automatically to connect the process room to an energy supply, to seal it and / or to keep it under a protective gas atmosphere.

In particular in any way as described above with regard to the supply module.

A method according to the invention for operating a 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine is preferably characterized by the use and / or use of a supply module according to the invention and / or a system according to the invention.

1. a) Einsetzen eines für einen 3D-Druckprozess und/oder SLM-Prozess vorpräparierten Bauvolumens und/oder eines für den 3D-Druckprozess und/oder SLM-Prozess vorpräparierten Prozessraumes in die 3D-Druckmaschine und/oder SLM-Maschine;
2. b) Durchführen eines 3D-Druckprozesses und/oder SLM-Prozesses mit dem Bauvolumen und/oder dem Prozessraum zur Herstellung eines Gegenstandes bevorzugt im Bauvolumen;
3. c) Entnahme des Bauvolumens und/oder Prozessraums aus des 3D-Druckmaschine und/oder SLM-Maschine, wobei bevorzugt gleichzeitig der Gegenstand mit entnommen wird;
4. d) Einlagern des Bauvolumens und/oder des Prozessraumes bevorzugt mit dem Gegenstand in ein Bauvolumenlager und/oder in eine Auspackstation und/oder in einen Temperofen und/oder in eine andere Bearbeitungsstation;
5. e) bevorzugt Nachbearbeitung des Bauvolumens und/oder des Prozessraumes, um einen Herstellungsprozess des Gegenstandes abzuschließen und/oder um Bauvolumen und/oder Prozessraum für eine Präparierung vorzubereiten; und
6. f) Präparierung des Bauvolumens und/oder des Prozessraumes, um diese für einen weiteren oder den gleichen 3D-Druckprozess und/oder SLM-Prozess vor zu präparieren;

wobei das Verfahren mehrfach wiederholt wird, wobei das Verfahren bevorzugt mit mehreren Bauvolumina und/oder Prozessräumen ausgeführt wird, so dass während, kurz vor oder kurz nach Schritt c), d), e) und/oder f) mit einem der Bauvolumina und/oder Prozessräumen ausgeführt wird, Schritte a) und/oder b) mit einem anderen der Bauvolumina und/oder Prozessräumen mit der 3D-Druckmaschine und/oder SLM-Maschine ausgeführt wird, wobei das Verfahren bevorzugt mit mehreren 3D-Druckmaschinen und/oder SLM-Maschinen so mehrfach und/oder überlappend und/oder ineinandergreifend ausgeführt wird, dass zu jedem Zeitpunkt des Verfahrens immer bei mindestens einer der 3D-Druckmaschinen und/oder SLM-Maschinen einer der Schritte a), b) und/oder c) ausgeführt wird, besonders bevorzugt bei allen 3D-Druckmaschinen und/oder SLM-Maschinen.A method according to the invention can alternatively and / or additionally comprise the steps:

1. a) Insertion of a building volume prepared for a 3D printing process and / or SLM process and / or a process space prepared for the 3D printing process and / or SLM process in the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine;
2. b) performing a 3D printing process and / or SLM process with the build volume and / or the process space for producing an object, preferably in the build volume;
3. c) Removal of the construction volume and / or process space from the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, with the object preferably also being removed at the same time;
4. d) storing the building volume and / or the process space, preferably with the object, in a building volume store and / or in an unpacking station and / or in a tempering furnace and / or in another processing station;
5. e) preferably post-processing of the construction volume and / or the process space in order to complete a manufacturing process of the object and / or in order to prepare the construction volume and / or process space for preparation; and
6. f) Preparation of the building volume and / or the process space in order to prepare them for another or the same 3D printing process and / or SLM process;

the method being repeated several times, the method preferably being carried out with several construction volumes and / or process rooms, so that during, shortly before or shortly after step c), d), e) and / or f) with one of the construction volumes and / or or process rooms, steps a) and / or b) is carried out with another of the construction volumes and / or process rooms with the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, the method preferably being carried out with several 3D printing machines and / or SLM Machines are executed multiple and / or overlapping and / or interlocking that at any point in time of the process one of the steps a), b) and / or c) is always carried out on at least one of the 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines, particularly preferred for all 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines.

The method according to the invention can be further developed with any steps that have been described with regard to the delivery module according to the invention and / or the system according to the invention and / or which correspond to features, properties and / or elements of the delivery module according to the invention and / or the system according to the invention.

For example, the post-processing can include a substep of unpacking and / or tempering and / or cleaning.

A method according to the invention is preferably carried out and / or a system according to the invention is designed in such a way that all 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines have more than 70%, preferably more than 70%, preferably more than 80%, preferably more than 85% , preferably more than 90%, preferably more than 90%, preferably more than 98% and / or preferably more than 99% of the time, be able to and / or execute and / or execute SLM manufacturing processes.

A system according to the invention preferably comprises at least one construction volume and / or a process space with two cylinders, preferably two construction cylinders, which can be driven, preferably via a common drive, that a piston of one cylinder is lowered while a piston of the other cylinder is raised, a flat surface being provided between the upper ends of the cylinders. In such a system, in a preparatory step, a piston is preferably lowered far and / or completely and the space above is filled with material powder, preferably completely.

• - Absenken von einem von zwei in einem Bauvolumen befindlichen Kolben;
• - Auffüllen eines Freiraumes oberhalb eines abgesenkten Kolben des Bauvolumens mit Werkstoffpulver;
• - Anheben eines Kolbens des Bauvolumens, um eine geeignete Menge Werkstoffpulver soweit über einen oberen Rand eines Zylinders hinauszuschieben, dass die Menge Werkstoffpulver von dem Zylinder weg hin zu einem Bauzylinder schiebbar ist; und/oder
• - Verschieben einer Menge Werkstoffpulver von einem Zylinder eines Bauvolumens zu einem anderen Zylinder des Bauvolumens.

A method according to the invention preferably comprises one, several or all of the following steps:

• - Lowering of one of two pistons located in a building volume;
• - Filling a free space above a lowered piston of the building volume with material powder;
• - Lifting a piston of the building volume in order to push a suitable amount of material powder beyond an upper edge of a cylinder so far that the amount of material powder can be pushed away from the cylinder towards a building cylinder; and or
• - Moving a quantity of material powder from one cylinder of a building volume to another cylinder of the building volume.

• 1 zeigt ein erfindungsgemäßes Bereitstellungsmodul in perspektivischer Ansicht.
• 2 bis 7 zeigen den Austausch eines Bauvolumens und eines damit verbundenen Prozessraumes mittels des erfindungsgemäßen Bereitstellungsmoduls aus 1.
• 8 zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht von einem Bauvolumen und einem Prozessraum, die aneinander gekoppelt werden können.

An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. This exemplary embodiment relates to an SLM machine and an SLM process or SLM method. However, the provision module shown can be used in a similar way for other 3D printing devices or 3D printing processes or 3D printing methods.

• 1 shows a provision module according to the invention in a perspective view.
• 2 to 7th show the exchange of a construction volume and a process space connected to it by means of the provision module according to the invention 1 .
• 8th shows a perspective view of a building volume and a process space which can be coupled to one another.

As in 1 shown comprises a provision module according to the invention 10 a base body 12 , which is designed as an elongated cylinder in the embodiment.

Furthermore, the provision module according to the invention comprises 10 at least one on the body 12 arranged holder 14th , in the embodiment shown, two holders 14th , to hold a building volume. Furthermore, the provision module comprises 10 Coupling agent 16 to couple the holder to a building volume. The coupling means 16 are designed like pliers to the effect that - as indicated by the arrows in 1 shown - can be moved towards each other to clamp a building volume. Alternatively or in addition, coupling agents can be used 16 Mechanisms and / or elements that enable or ensure an exact but detachable connection can be provided or fixed to the structural volume and / or a process space.

The delivery module shown 10 further comprises a base plate 22nd that roll on 18th is stored so that the base body 12 by arrangement on the base plate 22nd is movable. The roles 18th run on rails 23 . The rails 23 lead to the various positions that the provisioning module 10 must reach, i.e. the positions from which the corresponding 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines and / or other facilities such as unpacking stations or maintenance stations for the supply module 10 can be achieved. In other embodiments, however, the rollers can also be rotatable in a controlled manner and travel on a floor surface.

The provisioning module 10 furthermore comprises a transmitting and / or receiving unit 19th for communication with other supply modules 10 and / or a central control, thus operating and equipping several SLM machines and the stations used for preparation and follow-up steps, such as unpacking stations, coordinated with one another by means of the supply module or modules 10 can be done. Alternatively or additionally, a manual control and / or the provision module can also be provided 10 can be driven / shifted manually.

The movement can be done by an in or on the base plate 22nd and / or in or at the lower end of the base body 12 arranged drive not shown take place. Alternatively, the provision module 10 but can also be provided without a drive and otherwise by means of the rollers 18th be moved, for example by operating personnel.

The provisioning module 10 further comprises a holder drive 20th on the main body 12 by means of which the holder 14th on the main body 12 - as indicated by the arrows in 1 indicated - can be moved up and down and / or around the base body 12 around and / or around one through the base body 12 going axis can be rotated, in particular around the holder 14th to be set for coupling to a construction volume or to align with an SLM machine.

In the initial situation in 2 des in the 2 to 7th The exchange or changing process shown is in one of the two holders 14th (Meaning of the reference symbol corresponding to the use of the reference symbol in 1 ) a pre-prepared building volume 30th coupled with a pre-prepared process room 31 held.

As in 8th can be seen, includes the pre-prepared building volume 30th a construction area moved vertically by means of a lifting drive, not shown 34 and a rim-like overhang 32 , through which the construction volume 30th in the recording 40 an SLM machine can be held. Furthermore, the construction volume 30th Locking means 33 on.

The construction area 34 is in its lowest position because of the construction volume 30th in the present exemplary embodiment does not have its own means for lifting the construction area. Instead they are located at the bottom of the construction area 34 Coupling elements for coupling to an elevator of an SLM machine, for example in the form of a piston-like rod that extends from the underside of the construction area 34 extends downward, and / or in the form of a coupling plate and / or in the form of a building cylinder or piston connected to the coupling plate. In most applications it is a step in preparation for placing one or more substrate plates on the construction area 34 and / or to arrange, glue and / or screw the coupling plate, which are easily removed from the construction area 34 can be separated in order to easily remove an object manufactured on one of the substrate plates from the construction surface 34 to be able to separate.

The locking means 33 serve for airtight or inert coupling of building volumes 30th and process space 31 . The process room 31 has corresponding complementary locking means on its underside. Furthermore, the process space 31 another coupling window or coupling disk 35 on. The laser beam enters the process room through this during the SLM process. The process room 31 Generally includes inside slides, powder feeder, coater, gas ducts, sensors and the like.

A powder feed device can be part of the process space 31 as well as the construction volume 30th be. Process room 31 and / or construction volume 30th have different sensors with regard to temperature, construction area position, atmosphere monitoring and / or the like. Also include process space 31 and / or construction volume 30th Connections, for example, for connecting the sensors and / or internal heating devices to the supply module 10 and / or an SLM machine.

Maintenance / cleaning of the coupling window 35 the pusher and / or the powder feeder are generally preparatory steps.

In 2 is also an SLM bracket 40 with a used building volume held therein 30th with used process space 31 shown on its construction area 34 is a finished item.

In the in 2 The situation shown is the supported construction volume 30th held in that the pliers-like coupling means 16 have driven together and, accordingly, the pre-prepared building volume 30th clamp at a lower end. The construction volume 30th could also have a corresponding to the coupling means at this lower end 16 have complementary recess. The coupling means 16 could in principle also on the supernatant 32 attack.

In general, the construction volume can have complementary coupling means for both the SLM brackets 40 the SLM machine as well as for the coupling means 16 of the provision module 10 exhibit. Alternatively, complementary coupling means of the building volume can also be used 30th be designed for coupling to both the coupling means 16 as well as to the SLM bracket 40 .

In previous solutions, the manufactured item would be removed from the SLM machine and the construction volume located in the SLM machine, as well as the process space, would be subjected to corresponding preparation and follow-up steps.

No further manufacturing process would take place in the SLM machine during this period.

With the provision module according to the invention 10 is it like in 3 shown possible with the free holder 14th to the one in the SLM bracket used construction volume of the SLM machine 30th to drive up and then the coupling means 16 drive together to the construction volume 30th to clamp.

From 3 on 4th then drives the provision module according to the invention 10 with the clamped building volume used 30th , in which the finished object 50 and the associated process room 31 again a piece of the SLM machine and the SLM bracket 40 away so that the situation changes accordingly 4th results, with used and pre-prepared building volume 30th and process space 31 held on the supply module 10 .

Then from 4th on 5 either a 180 ° rotation of the entire machining module 10 instead of what with appropriate interpretation of the roles 18th is possible without any problems. Or a rotation of the holder drive 20th around the main body 10 around what, of course, in the case of the use of rails 23 is preferred.

Then the pre-prepared building volume is 30th and the pre-prepared process room 31 the SLM bracket 40 facing the SLM machine, as in 5 shown.

Now the editing module 10 back to the SLM machine and the SLM bracket 40 brought up so that as in 6th shown the tab 32 of the construction volume 30th on the SLM bracket 40 rests or couples with this.

Then the coupling agent 16 moved apart and the processing module 10 moves from the SLM bracket 40 and the SLM machine gone, so that the in 7th is reached.

The SLM machine is now in its SLM holder 40 with a pre-prepared building volume 30th and a preprepared process room that is inertly connected to it 31 with which the next SLM manufacturing process can begin.

The SLM machine is therefore at a standstill thanks to the provision module 10 has been shortened, because the replacement process shown can take place very quickly, for example in less than 1 minute, while otherwise the SLM machine would have to stand still for a considerably longer period while the entire preparation and follow-up steps are carried out.

However, the building volume used can now 30th with the finished article and the processing space used 31 by means of the provision module 10 be brought to another processing station, a building volume store, a tempering furnace and / or an unpacking station, where the necessary post-processing or preparation steps can then be carried out, such as separation of building volumes 30th and process space 31 , Removal of the non-fused powder and the manufactured article and maintenance operations.

Since these require less time overall than the SLM manufacturing process usually takes, the construction volume used is increased 30th with the manufactured item generally already prepared for a new SLM manufacturing process and the item removed accordingly and further processed before the 7th subsequent SLM manufacturing process in the one in the SLM holder 40 maintained construction volume 30th is completed.

However, other prepared building volumes can already be kept available so that the building volume currently in use is not necessary 30th To be fully prepared before the ongoing SLM process is completed. This is particularly the case in a production plant with several SLM machines that can accommodate the same construction volume and / or process rooms, since several identical construction volumes and / or process rooms are already present in such a production plant.

In this way, in good time before the new SLM manufacturing process is completed, the in 2 The situation shown can be produced that, when the SLM production process is completed, a pre-prepared building volume is immediately available 30th inert coupled with a pre-prepared process space 31 ready to use the construction volume 30th with the manufactured item and the processing space used 31 to replace.

Depending on the ratio of the time required for the SLM manufacturing process to the follow-up and preparation steps as well as the duration of the exchange process, the in 2 the situation shown the provisioning module 10 also for a similar equipment or a similar exchange of construction volume 30th with other SLM machines with SLM brackets 40 be used.

By suitably coordinating the number of SLM machines and supply modules 10 and other stations such as building volume storage, other processing stations, tempering ovens and / or unpacking stations can thus be achieved that, apart from the short times required for an exchange or assembly, all SLM machines are almost continuously busy with SLM manufacturing processes.

Then a system can be implemented in which the SLM machines, due to the flexibility of the coupling means 16 can have and use different construction volumes in terms of size, most of the time are used directly for SLM processes.

Of course, the holder can 14th or the holder drive 20th also be designed for a horizontal translational movement, so that for example from 2 on 3 or from 5 on 6th the basic body 12 is not moved and instead only the respective holder 14th for example, is extended.

In a preferred embodiment, it is located inside the main body 12 a powder storage, wherein powder supply means are provided, which simultaneously with the exchange of construction volume 30th and process space 31 can fill a powder reservoir of the SLM machine with new construction powder from the powder storage, preferably automatically.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• DE 19649865 C1 [0008]
• DE 19905067 A1 [0008]
• DE 102019200680 [0014, 0015]

Claims (14)

Provision module for a 3D printing machine, preferably an SLM machine, the provision module comprising: - a base body; - At least one holder arranged on the base body for holding a construction volume; - Coupling means to couple the holder to a building volume in a 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine and / or in a building volume store and / or in an unpacking station and / or in a tempering furnace and / or in another processing station, the base body is preferably movable, in particular controlled by means of a drive and / or in particular. Provisioning module after Claim 1 , wherein the provision module comprises at least two holders, so that at least one construction volume can be held while another construction volume in the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine and / or in the construction volume storage and / or in the unpacking station and / or in the tempering furnace and / or is placed in the other processing station or is removed therefrom. Provision module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body comprises a holder drive to move the holder relative to the base body. Provisioning module after Claim 3 , wherein the holder drive can raise and / or lower the holder and / or rotate around the base body and / or wherein the holder drive can move the holder at least in a holder plane along a closed curve, preferably a circle or an ellipse, the holder plane preferably being parallel to a plane of movement in which the drive moves the base body. Provision module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the provision module comprises movement means to move the holder into the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine and / or into the building volume storage and / or into the unpacking station and / or into the tempering furnace and / or into the move another workstation in and out to move the build volume in and out. Provision module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means are further designed to couple the holder to a process space and / or to couple it to a structural volume connected to the process space. Provision module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the provision module comprises sealing means, preferably a lid handling element, a connection handling element, a gas supply and / or a gas connection, which are designed to seal and / or the construction volume and / or the process space, for example by closing openings or lines to keep under a protective gas atmosphere, preferably to automatically seal and / or to keep under a protective gas atmosphere. Provision module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the provision module comprises an energy supply and / or an energy store and electrical connections for connection, preferably for automatic connection with a heating element in the provision module and / or a heating element arranged in the construction volume and / or in the process space for heating the construction volume , the process room and / or parts of it. Provision module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the provision module sending and / or receiving means for communication with a central control and / or for position determination, sensors for determining the position of the provision module and / or holder, a data processing unit for controlling the movement of the provision module and / or holder and / or comprises a powder supply / a powder storage for supplying a 3D printing machine and / or a building volume with building powder. System comprising a supply module according to one of the preceding claims and at least one 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, preferably with a closable removal opening for removing a construction volume and / or a process room and a building volume store for storing at least one building volume and / or a process room, preferably further comprising an unpacking station and / or a tempering furnace and / or another processing station. System according to Claim 10 , wherein the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine comprises at least two SLM holders for holding construction volume and / or process space, in at least one of which the construction volume and / or the process space for a 3D printing process and / or SLM process can be held in a process position and wherein in at least one of them the construction volume and / or the process space can be held in a removal position for removal by the holder of the supply module, the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine comprising a movement device to move the construction volume and / or to move the process space from the process position to the removal position, preferably by the SLM Holders are movable from the removal position to the process position and vice versa, particularly preferably so that an SLM holder can be moved from the removal position to the process position, while another SLM holder can be moved from the process position to the removal position, preferably by attaching the SLM holders to a rotating unit the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine are stored. System according to Claim 10 or 11 , wherein the building volume storage and / or the other processing station and / or the unpacking station and / or the tempering furnace processing stations and / or means for preparing a building volume and / or a process room for a 3D printing process and / or SLM process and / or for Post-treatment of a construction volume and / or of a process space and / or of a manufactured object comprises; and / or the building volume store comprises supply means in order to supply a building volume and / or a process space and / or a manufactured object to processing stations and / or means for preparation and / or for post-treatment and / or to supply it to a storage area. System according to Claim 10 , 11 or 12 , wherein the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine and / or the building volume storage and / or the unpacking station and / or the tempering furnace and / or the other processing station is designed, when inserting a building volume and / or a process room automatically the building volume and / or to connect the process room to an energy supply, to seal it and / or to keep it under a protective gas atmosphere. Method for operating a 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, preferably using a provision module according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 or a system according to one of the Claims 10 to 13 , wherein the method comprises the steps: a) Inserting a building volume prepared for a 3D printing process and / or SLM process and / or a process space prepared for the 3D printing process and / or SLM process in the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine; b) performing a 3D printing process and / or SLM process with the build volume and / or the process space for producing an object, preferably in the build volume; c) Removal of the construction volume and / or process space from the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, with the object preferably also being removed at the same time; d) storing the building volume and / or the process space, preferably with the object, in a building volume store and / or in an unpacking station and / or in a tempering furnace and / or in another processing station; e) preferably post-processing of the construction volume and / or the process space in order to complete a manufacturing process of the object and / or in order to prepare the construction volume and / or process space for preparation; and f) preparation of the building volume and / or the process space in order to prepare it for another or the same 3D printing process and / or SLM process; the method being repeated several times, the method preferably being carried out with several construction volumes and / or process rooms, so that during, shortly before or shortly after step c), d), e) and / or f) with one of the construction volumes and / or or process rooms, steps a) and / or b) is carried out with another of the construction volumes and / or process rooms with the 3D printing machine and / or SLM machine, the method preferably with several 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines is carried out multiple and / or overlapping and / or interlocking that at any point in time of the method one of the steps a), b) and / or c) is always carried out on at least one of the 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines, especially preferred for all 3D printing machines and / or SLM machines.

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