DE202020004634U1 - Device for post-processing at least one object produced with an additive manufacturing process - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (100) for post-processing at least one object (9) produced using an additive manufacturing method by applying and selectively solidifying a powdery building material in layers, comprising a depowdering chamber (4) for at least partially removing loose building material from the at least one object (9), and a blasting chamber (6) for after-treating the at least one object by means of at least one blasting material, wherein
a) means (8) controlled by a controller in the depowdering chamber (4) for removing loose building material from the at least one object (9) and means (8) controlled by the controller in the blasting chamber (6) for blasting the at least one object by means of a beam (18) are provided from blasting material, and wherein
b) the powder removal chamber (4) and the blasting chamber (6) are separated from one another by a bulkhead wall (34) which has at least one through opening (33), characterized by
c) means (40) controllable by a controller for generating a flow of a flow medium which generate a flow (35) of the flow medium from the de-powdering chamber (4) through the at least one passage opening (33) into the blasting chamber (6).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for post-processing at least one object produced with an additive manufacturing method by applying and selectively solidifying a powdery build-up material in layers, comprising a powder removal chamber for at least partially removing loose build-up material from the at least one object, and a blasting chamber for post-treatment of the at least one Object by means of at least one blasting material, according to the preamble of claim 1.

A generic device is from EP 3 718 692 A1 known. There the depowdering chamber and the blasting chamber are hermetically sealed by a flap which is arranged in a bulkhead between the depowdering chamber and the blasting chamber. The publication states that “hermetically sealed” means that no “substantial amounts” of blasting media can get from the blasting chamber into the powder chamber. Hence then according to EP 3 718 692 A1 although the opening cross-section of the passage opening is completely closed by the closed flap, ie there is no longer any clear gap present or visible. However, the seal between the passage opening and the closed flap is not “hermetic”, so that blasting media can still get from the blasting chamber into the powder chamber. However, this is disadvantageous with regard to contamination of the depowdering chamber by blasting media, in particular if loose powder that has been cleaned from the object is collected in the depowdering chamber and used for a further construction process.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the generic type in which the lowest possible degree of contamination occurs.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

Disclosure of the invention

The production of the at least one three-dimensional object, such as a component or model, which is then unpacked in the unpacking device according to the invention, takes place in a layer construction process with the help of computer data by repeatedly applying thin layers of loose, powdery construction material to a construction platform and each individual layer is selectively consolidated into a component or model cross-section. The solidification takes place chemically, for example, in that, using printing technology, droplets of adhesive are selectively applied to defined areas of the layers of loose, powdery build-up material. Alternatively, there is the option of selectively fusing or sintering loose, powdery building material with high-energy (laser) radiation.

In the context of the invention, an object should therefore be understood to mean a workpiece or component produced together with the construction platform, or also the workpiece or component alone without a construction platform.

• a) in der Entpulverungskammer von einer Steuerung gesteuerte Mittel zum Entfernen von losem Aufbaumaterial von dem wenigstens einen Objekt und in der Strahlkammer von der Steuerung gesteuerte Mittel zum Strahlen des wenigstens einen Objekts mittels eines Strahls aus Strahlgut vorgesehen sind, und wobei
• b) die Entpulverungskammer und die Strahlkammer durch eine Schottwand voneinander getrennt sind, welche eine Durchgangsöffnung aufweist, und wobei

The invention is based on a device for post-processing at least one object produced with an additive manufacturing process by applying and selectively solidifying a powdery build-up material in layers, comprising a powder removal chamber for at least partially removing loose build-up material from the at least one object, and a blasting chamber for post-treatment of the at least one an object by means of at least one blasting material, wherein

• a) means controlled by a controller for removing loose build-up material from the at least one object in the depowdering chamber and means controlled by the controller in the blasting chamber for blasting the at least one object by means of a beam of blasting material, and wherein
• b) the de-powdering chamber and the blasting chamber are separated from one another by a bulkhead wall which has a through opening, and wherein

The unpacking, depowdering or cleaning of the at least one object of loose, non-solidified powdery building material in the depowdering chamber can include the complete unpacking of the object from the cake-free building material or powder or merely cleaning off residues of loose powder or building material from the at least one Object and optionally also from the building platform and possibly also from support structures, which are still present on the at least one object after unpacking.

• c) von einer Steuerung steuerbare Mittel zum Erzeugen einer Strömung eines Strömungsmediums, welche eine Strömung des Strömungsmediums von der Entpulverungskammer durch die wenigstens eine Durchgangsöffnung hindurch in die Strahlkammer erzeugen.

The invention is characterized by

• c) means, controllable by a controller, for generating a flow of a flow medium which generate a flow of the flow medium from the depowdering chamber through the at least one passage opening into the blasting chamber.

By means of the flow of the flow medium, which is directed from the depowdering chamber through the passage opening into the blasting chamber, the blasting material is therefore prevented passes from the blasting chamber into the depowdering chamber and contaminates it.

By the protection claim 1 The dependent subclaims indicate preferred developments of the invention.

Particularly preferably, the opening cross-section of the through opening depends on the position of at least one bulkhead controlled by the controller in relation to the through opening, the bulkhead being controllable by the control in such a way that in a first position of the bulkhead the opening cross-section assumes a first opening cross-section value, in which a transport of the at least one object from the depowdering chamber through the passage opening into the blasting chamber is made possible, and in a second position of the bulkhead the opening cross section assumes a second opening cross section value which is smaller than the first opening cross section value, in which the Flow of the flow medium from the depowdering chamber into the blasting chamber is made possible, but in particular a transport of the at least one object from the depowdering chamber through the passage opening into the blasting chamber is prevented. As a result, in the second position of the bulkhead, a certain separation of the depowdering chamber from the blasting chamber is ensured, which then also helps to prevent the depowdering chamber from being soiled by blasting material from the blasting chamber.

The second opening cross section value preferably forms a minimum opening cross section value of the through opening. This means that no opening cross-section value even smaller than the minimum opening cross-section value is or cannot be set by the control.

In particular, in the second position of the bulkhead there is at least one clear gap between an edge of the bulkhead and an edge of the passage opening through which the flow flows.

• a) das Schott von der Steuerung in die erste Stellung gesteuert wird, wenn der Transport des wenigstens einen Objekts von der Entpulverungskammer durch die Durchgangsöffnung hindurch in die Strahlkammer erfolgt oder erfolgen soll, und
• b) das Schott ansonsten, insbesondere wenn kein Transport des wenigstens einen Objekts von der Entpulverungskammer durch die Durchgangsöffnung hindurch in die Strahlkammer erfolgt oder erfolgen soll, von der Steuerung in die zweite Stellung gesteuert wird.

A transport device can also be provided, by means of which the transport of the at least one object from the depowdering chamber takes place through the passage opening into the blasting chamber, with

• a) the bulkhead is controlled by the controller into the first position when the transport of the at least one object from the depowdering chamber takes place or is to take place through the passage opening into the blasting chamber, and
• b) the bulkhead is otherwise, in particular if the at least one object is not or is not to be transported from the depowdering chamber through the passage opening into the blasting chamber, is controlled by the controller into the second position.

The flow of the flow medium can preferably also represent a suction flow, the depowdering chamber having an inlet opening for the flow medium and the jet chamber having an outlet opening for the flow medium, which is connected to the means for generating the flow of the flow medium.

In particular, a filter device can be provided which cooperates with the outlet opening and is designed to filter particles, in particular blasting material particles, from the flow.

The means for generating the flow of the flow medium can also be designed in such a way that they generate a suction flow of the flow medium between the inlet opening and the outlet opening.

In particular, the flow medium can be formed by, in particular, sucked in air.

The means for removing loose building material from the at least one object and / or the means for blasting the at least one object by means of a beam of blasting material can also be controlled by the controller in such a way that they are only activated when the controller is on Release signal has been generated.

1. a) von der Steuerung die Mittel zum Erzeugen der Strömung des Strömungsmedium aktiviert worden sind, und/oder
2. b) durch eine mit der Steuerung zusammenwirkende Sensoreinrichtung ein Strömungssignal in die Steuerung eingesteuert worden ist, welches signalisiert, dass die Strömung des Strömungsmediums präsent ist.

The enable signal can be generated by the control if

1. a) the means for generating the flow of the flow medium have been activated by the controller, and / or
2. b) a flow signal has been introduced into the control by a sensor device cooperating with the control, which signal signals that the flow of the flow medium is present.

According to a further development, the at least one object can have been created in the course of a building process within a pot-shaped building container provided with at least one container opening.

1. a) eine Schwenkvorrichtung,
2. b) eine zur Aufnahme des Baubehälters vorgesehene und ausgebildete, wenigstens einen Siebdeckel mit einem Sieb aufweisende Aufnahmeeinrichtung, welche durch die Schwenkvorrichtung um wenigstens eine Achse schwenkbar ist, wobei
3. c) das Sieb ausgeführt ist, dass zwar unverfestigt verbliebenes Aufbaumaterial nicht aber das wenigstens eine Objekt das Sieb passieren kann, und wobei
4. d) der Siebdeckel an der Aufnahmeeinrichtung beweglich gelagert ist, und wobei
5. e) wenigstens die Schwenkvorrichtung und der Siebdeckel derart ausgebildet und durch die Steuerung gesteuert sind, dass
   • e1) der Baubehälter mit dem wenigstens einen darin aufgenommenen Objekt, an welchem noch unverfestigt verbliebenes Aufbaumaterial anhaftet, in oder an der Aufnahmeeinrichtung in einer im Wesentlichen aufrechten Lage aufnehmbar ist, in welcher die Behälteröffnung im Wesentlichen nach oben weist, und dass
   • e2) der Siebdeckel zwischen einer ersten Aufnahmestellung, in welcher der Baubehälter in oder an der Aufnahmeeinrichtung in der im Wesentlichen aufrechten Lage aufnehmbar und die Behälteröffnung wenigstens teilweise unverschlossen ist, und einer Arbeitsstellung steuerbar ist, in welcher der Siebdeckel die Behälteröffnung des in oder an der Aufnahmeeinrichtung aufgenommenen Baubehälters verschließt, und dass
   • e3) der Baubehälter mit dem in Arbeitsstellung gebrachten Siebdeckel zwischen der im Wesentlichen aufrechten Lage und einer Kopflage wenigstens einmal um die wenigstens eine Achse schwenkbar ist, in welcher die Behälteröffnung des Baubehälters im Wesentlichen nach unten in Richtung Schwerkraft weist und in welcher das wenigstens eine Objekt auf dem Sieb aufliegt, wodurch das Sieb durch unverfestigt verbliebenes und von dem wenigstens einen Objekt abgelöstes Aufbaumaterial passierbar ist.

The following can preferably be arranged in the de-powdering chamber:

1. a) a swivel device,
2. b) a receiving device which is provided and designed to receive the construction container, has at least one sieve cover with a sieve and which can be pivoted about at least one axis by the pivoting device, wherein
3. c) the sieve is designed so that building material that has remained unsolidified cannot pass the sieve, but the at least one object, and wherein
4. d) the sieve cover is movably mounted on the receiving device, and wherein
5. e) at least the pivoting device and the sieve cover are designed and controlled by the controller such that
   • e1) the building container with the at least one object received therein, to which building material that has not yet solidified adheres, can be received in or on the receiving device in an essentially upright position in which the container opening essentially points upwards, and that
   • e2) the sieve cover between a first receiving position, in which the construction container can be received in or on the receiving device in the essentially upright position and the container opening is at least partially unlocked, and a working position, in which the sieve cover is the container opening of the in or on the The receiving device closes the construction container, and that
   • e3) the construction container with the sieve cover brought into working position between the essentially upright position and a head position can be pivoted at least once about the at least one axis in which the container opening of the construction container points essentially downwards in the direction of gravity and in which the at least one object rests on the sieve, as a result of which the sieve can be passed through building material which has remained unsolidified and which has been detached from the at least one object.

Since the at least one object rests on the sieve of the sieve lid in the top position of the building container, any building material that has remained unsolidified from the at least one object can flow down through the sieve from the at least one object as a result of or with the aid of gravity. On the other hand, the at least one object, in particular loosely received in the building container, stumbles inside the building container when it is pivoted once or several times between the upright position and the head position, which promotes detachment of the unsolidified building material from the at least one object. Because the at least one object rests on the sieve or the sieve cover not least in the head position, it can easily be picked up from there, for example to be transported further for further processing, in particular for further cleaning.

In particular, the sieve cover can be driven rotationally and / or translationally by at least one actuator such as an electric motor and thus movable relative to the construction container and / or relative to the receiving device, which are controlled by the electronic control. The control can in particular contain one or more electronic control devices which is / are programmed using appropriate software.

The building container can also be tensioned and relaxed in the receiving device by means of a tensioning device controlled in a coordinated manner by the controller. A fixation of the building container in the receiving device by means of the clamping device takes place, for example, preferably at the latest when the receiving device together with the building container received thereon is in the upside-down position and the sieve cover is lifted off the building container. The clamping of the building container in the receiving device then prevents the building container from slipping out of it.

For improved unpacking or cleaning of the at least one object, the pivoting device, the receiving device and / or the sieve cover can be made to vibrate by a vibrating device controlled by the controller.

The de-powdering chamber is designed in particular to be powder-tight and / or gas-tight, but building containers can be supplied and removed through at least one opening in the de-powdering chamber that can be opened and closed, for example, by a closure element.

According to a further development, the depowdering chamber can have a funnel-shaped bottom, which is arranged such that it can accommodate the build-up material remaining unconsolidated flowing down through the sieve from the at least one object as a result of or with the aid of the action of gravity. This building material then located in the funnel-shaped base can then, for example, leave the depowdering chamber through a closable opening arranged in the funnel neck of the base can be brought out and reused for another building process.

In a particularly preferred manner, a ventilation device can be provided through which a flow of gas, in particular outside air, can flow through the depowdering chamber, which is fed into the depowdering chamber from the outside via a supply opening in the housing and can be carried out from the depowdering chamber by means of an outlet opening in the housing , wherein the ventilation device is designed so that the gas flows around the construction container received in the pivoting device.

The background to this measure is that the at least one object, including the construction material that is still adhering, should cool down as slowly as possible in order to protect against distortion of the at least one object. However, it takes a relatively long time for the at least one object to cool down solely through the thermal radiation it causes and / or through convection. By contrast, the at least one object is cooled in a targeted manner by means of the ventilation device described above. In particular, the cooling can be controlled by a suitable amount of gas supplied.

The actual temperature inside the building container can be detected by a sensor device and a signal corresponding to the actual temperature can be fed into an electronic control for evaluation. If it is then determined by the control that the actual temperature has reached a lower temperature limit value starting from higher temperatures, the control can initiate at least one of the steps described below with regard to the further unpacking or cleaning of loose building material from the at least one object .

The sieve cover and the swivel device can be designed and controlled by the controller such that in the head position in which the at least one object rests on the sieve, the receiving device and the sieve cover can be moved relative to one another in such a way that the at least one on the sieve cover overlying object is freely accessible, especially from outside the building container.

According to a further development, the sieve cover can be formed at least partially or completely by the sieve, so that any build-up material that has remained unsolidified, detached from the at least one object and passes the sieve flows off directly into the de-pulverization chamber or into a container arranged in the de-pulverization chamber, at least as a result of gravity.

At least gravity drainage means that the building material flows away at least under the influence of gravity. The flow can be supported by vibrations into which the sieve or the receiving device is (are) set.

A chamber can also be formed between the sieve and a cover base of the sieve cover, into which building material that has remained unconsolidated, detached from the at least one object and passing the sieve flows (initially) in the top position of the building container.

The cover base can have at least one suction opening to which a suction device is connected for suctioning off the building material that has remained unconsolidated and has been detached from the at least one object from the chamber.

According to a further development measure, the depowdering chamber, which is preferably designed in a housing which also has the blasting chamber.

A blasting device having at least one blasting container can be arranged in the blasting chamber, by means of which at least one beam of blasting material can be directed onto the interior of at least one blasting container. The jet of blasting material is used in particular for further unpacking / cleaning of the at least one object which has previously been transported into the blasting container.

Particularly preferably, an unloading position of the sieve cover that can be controlled by the control is provided for unloading the at least one object from the building container, which has been at least partially freed from building material that has remained unsolidified, in which the sieve cover at least partially exposes the container opening of the building container and in which the at least one object on the Sieve of the sieve cover is at least temporarily resting.

In the unloading position of the sieve cover and in the position of use of the unpacking device, the sieve cover can then form a horizontal or inclined transport surface in such a way that the at least one object lying on the sieve is caused by gravity and / or as a result of at least vibrations applied to the sieve along the sieve Unloading direction can be transported, which in particular points away from the building container.

The direction of discharge points in particular into the blasting chamber. The sieve can then be a transport surface in the first unloading position form, along which the at least one object can be transported from the depowdering chamber into the blasting chamber.

However, at least one further transport device can optionally be arranged between the sieve and the blasting chamber, through which the at least one object can get from the sieve into the blasting chamber.

Vibrations applied to the sieve can in particular be designed in such a way that the vibration amplitudes (mainly) act within the plane of the sieve. As a result, the at least one object can be transported along the sieve, even if the sieve forms a horizontal transport surface in the first unloading position or an ascending transport surface when viewed from the building container. In the case of a sloping transport surface formed by the sieve as seen from the building container, the effect of gravity contributes to the transport of the at least one object.

The sieve then has an advantageous dual function in that on the one hand it ensures that the at least one object is separated from the building material, and on the other hand it serves as a transport surface for the at least one object for further transport, in particular to the post-processing device.

A blasting device having at least one blasting container is preferably arranged in the blasting chamber, by means of which at least one beam of blasting material can be directed onto the interior of at least one blasting container.

The blasting container is preferably pivotably mounted in the blasting chamber and can be pivoted about at least one axis by a pivoting device controlled by the controller. This axis is preferably a horizontal axis.

The blasting container can then be pivoted by the control, in particular, into a receiving position of the blasting container in which it can receive the at least one object transported along the sieve (and optionally by the further transport device).

Furthermore, the blasting container can be pivoted by the controller into an unloading position of the blasting container, in which the at least one object it has picked up can be unloaded from the blasting chamber.

In general, the pivoting device, the receiving device, the sieve cover and / or the sieve can be made to vibrate by a vibration device controlled by the controller. These vibrations contribute to the detachment or drainage of building material that has remained unsolidified.

The sieve cover can also be mounted pivotably and / or translationally movably on the receiving device and controlled by the controller to execute a pivoting and / or translational movement, in particular in relation to the receiving device and / or in relation to the building container.

In particular, the pivoting device can also be designed and controlled by the controller in such a way that the receiving device alone or together with the received building container can perform a full rotation around an in particular horizontal axis at least once.

In particular, the processes and movements described above are automatically controlled by the electronic control.

The bulkhead can also comprise a door, a flap or a roller shutter.

Advantageous further developments of the invention emerge from the patent claims, the description and the drawings. The advantages of features and of combinations of several features mentioned in the introduction to the description are merely exemplary and can come into effect alternatively or cumulatively without the advantages necessarily having to be achieved by embodiments according to the invention. Further features can be found in the drawings - in particular the illustrated geometries and the relative dimensions of several components to one another and their relative arrangement and operative connection. The combination of features of different embodiments of the invention or of features of different patent claims is also possible, deviating from the selected back-references of the patent claims, and is hereby suggested. This also applies to features that are shown in separate drawings or mentioned in their description. These features can also be combined with features of different patent claims. Features listed in the claims can also be omitted for further embodiments of the invention.

Figure list

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung nach der Erfindung;
• 2 eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung von 1 in einer Situation, in der ein Baubehälter mit darin aufgenommenen Objekten in eine Entpulverungskammer und dort in eine Aufnahmeeinrichtung in einer aufrechten Lage geladen wird, wobei sich ein Siebdeckel in einer hochgeklappten ersten Aufnahmestellung befindet;
• 3 eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung von 1 in einer Situation, in der der Siebdeckel in eine den Baubehälter verschließende Arbeitsstellung gebracht worden ist und die Aufnahmeeinrichtung mit dem darin aufgenommenen Baubehälter durch eine Schwenkvorrichtung von der aufrechten Lage in eine Kopflage verschwenkt wird;
• 4 eine Seitenansicht der der Vorrichtung von 1 in einer Situation, in der in einer ersten Entladestellung die Objekte auf einem Sieb des Siebdeckels aufliegen und entlang des Siebdeckels in eine Strahltrommel einer Strahlvorrichtung transportiert werden, die innerhalb einer Strahlkammer angeordnet und die in eine zweite Aufnahmestellung verschwenkt worden ist;
• 5 eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung von 1 in einer Situation, in der durch die Strahlvorrichtung nachbearbeitete Objekte aus der in eine zweite Entladestellung verschwenkten Strahltrommel entnommen werden;
• 6 eine Schnittdarstellung der Aufnahmeeinrichtung mit einem darin aufgenommenen und gespannten Baubehälter;
• 7 eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung von 1 in einer Situation, in der eine Strömung von Strömungsfluid von der Entpulverungskammer in die Strahlkammer erzeugt wird.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown below in the drawing and explained in more detail in the description below. In the drawing shows

• 1 a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention;
• 2 a side view of the device of 1 in a situation in which a construction container with objects received therein is loaded into a depowdering chamber and there into a receiving device in an upright position, with a sieve lid being in a folded-up first receiving position;
• 3 a side view of the device of 1 in a situation in which the sieve cover has been brought into a working position that closes the building container and the receiving device with the building container received therein is pivoted by a pivoting device from the upright position into a head position;
• 4th a side view of the device of FIG 1 in a situation in which in a first unloading position the objects rest on a sieve of the sieve cover and are transported along the sieve cover into a blasting drum of a blasting device which is arranged within a blasting chamber and which has been pivoted into a second receiving position;
• 5 a side view of the device of 1 in a situation in which objects reworked by the blasting device are removed from the blasting drum pivoted into a second unloading position;
• 6th a sectional view of the receiving device with a building container received and tensioned therein;
• 7th a side view of the device of 1 in a situation where a flow of flow fluid is generated from the de-powdering chamber into the blasting chamber.

Description of the embodiment

1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an unpacking device 100 For unpacking three-dimensional objects created by applying and selectively solidifying a powdery building material in the course of a building process 9 of unsolidified building material 11 according to the invention.

The objects 9 are in a construction device, not shown here, which contains a powder- and gas-tight construction chamber by applying and selectively solidifying a powdery construction material, e.g. plastic or metal powder, on a construction platform as part of a construction process that takes place in an atmosphere within the construction chamber for example contains at least one inert protective gas. A building container is used in the building chamber 1 arranged in which the building process of the objects 9 takes place and how it then after completion of the construction process in the unpacking device 100 is arranged. The building container 1 is, for example, cup-shaped and has a container opening 15th which, for example, points upwards in the course of the construction process.

By feeding powdery material into the construction container 1 and selective solidification, for example by welding, sintering the respectively applied layer, for example by means of a laser beam, the objects become 9 in the construction container 1 built up. The objects 9 be built without a building platform or with a building platform and then form a unit with the building platform (initially). Later then the objects 9 separated from the build platform.

The construction container is also known as a swap container or job box. In 6th is a preferred embodiment of the construction container 1 shown, which for example one inside a building container side wall 32 axially movable building container floor 30th has, which during the construction process, depending on the construction progress, a certain vertical level within the construction container side wall 32 occupies. At the beginning of the construction process there is the construction container floor 30th in an upper position near the container opening 15th and is then moved further and further down as the construction process progresses until it occupies a lowermost position in which it is approximately flush with the lower edges of the construction container side wall 32 is. The building container floor 30th can also be referred to as a building platform.

The device 100 includes a housing with a depowdering chamber 4th in which the objects 9 at least partially from the surrounding area and / or from in openings or channels of the object or objects 9 remaining, not solidified powdery building material 11 be unpacked, cleaned or powder removed as part of an unpacking or powder removal process.

The device also includes 100 a receiving facility 16 with a sieve lid 3 which a sieve 10 having a pivot device 2 , a movable bulkhead operated by a drive 5 in a through opening 33 in a bulkhead 34 ( 7th ) between the de-powdering chamber 4th and a blasting chamber 6th who have favourited a jet drum 7th , a blasting device 8th , a funnel outlet 12 as well as an unloading door 13th includes in the housing. The bulkhead 5 is here, for example, as a roller shutter that can be moved vertically in a guide executed. The passage opening 33 is in a bulkhead 34 between the depowdering chamber 4th and the blasting chamber 6th arranged.

The drive of the bulkhead 5 can be controlled by an electronic control (not shown here) in such a way that in a first position of the bulkhead 5 the opening cross section of the passage opening 33 assumes a first opening cross-section value in which a transport of the objects 9 from the de-powdering chamber 4th through the through opening 33 through into the blasting chamber 6th what is made possible in 4th is shown. On the other hand, that's the bulkhead 5 controllable from the first position to a second position, in which the opening cross-section value assumes a second opening cross-section value that is smaller than the first cross-section and in which one in 7th air flow shown 35 from the de-powdering chamber 4th through the through opening 33 through into the blasting chamber 6th is made possible. 7th shows the bulkhead 5 in the second position, in which a clear gap 42 between an edge 36 of the bulkhead 5 and a lower margin here, for example 37 the passage opening 33 is available. It is clear that the bulkhead 5 is preferably continuously adjustable between the first position and the second position.

The jet drum 7th is in the blasting chamber 6th preferably arranged pivotably driven about a first horizontal pivot axis. For this purpose, a first pivot actuator controlled in a coordinated manner by the electronic controller is provided. Furthermore is the jet drum 7th cup-shaped and therefore has a jet drum opening 17th on.

The receiving facility 16 points next to the sieve cover 3 Here, for example, a laterally open through a lateral basket opening and open at the top through an upper basket opening 24 in which the building container 1 can be received with little play in a substantially upright position, in which case the container opening 15th of the building container 1 preferably points upwards. The transport of the construction container 1 into the de-powdering chamber 4th and there in the receiving facility 16 takes place horizontally, for example, in the direction indicated by the arrow 23 in 2 symbolized horizontal direction, for example by a forklift.

The sieve lid 3 and the receiving basket 24 are for example in the area of the upper basket opening of the receiving basket 24 around a second horizontal pivot axis 26th mounted pivotably relative to each other. A second swivel actuator controlled in a coordinated manner by the electronic control is provided for this relative movement. In other words, by means of the second pivot actuator, not only the screen cover can 3 compared to the stationary receiving basket 24 but also the receiving basket 24 opposite the stationary sieve cover 3 around the second pivot axis 26th be pivoted coordinated.

Alternatively or in addition, the sieve cover could 3 and the receiving basket 24 also perform translational movement relative to one another in order to assume a first receiving position in which the building container 1 in the receiving basket 24 can be recorded, as well as a working position and a first unloading position as described below.

2 shows the first recording position in which the sieve lid 3 from the receiving basket 24 for example, is folded up.

The receiving facility 16 is overall by a swivel device 2 for example about a third horizontal pivot axis 27 by driving a third swivel actuator controlled in a coordinated manner by the controller, it can be swiveled into any angular positions between 0 degrees and 360 degrees, at least once and preferably several times in a row.

The sieve lid 3 has here, for example, a cover base which is here for example pyramid-shaped 19th and the sieve 10 on, with between the lid base 19th and the sieve an empty chamber 20th is trained. If, therefore, in the chamber 22nd powdery build-up material is located, so this can if the sieve 10 facing down, through the sieve 10 through out of the chamber 20th drain due to gravity.

The bottom of the lid 19th furthermore preferably has a suction opening at its apex 21st to which a suction hose 22nd a suction device is connected. The suction hose 22nd is for this purpose, for example, with a rotary leadthrough in the area of the second pivot axis 26th the swivel device 2 connected how 1 indicates.

As a result, on the one hand the sieve cover can 3 along with the sieve 10 , the lid base 19th , the chamber 20th and the suction hose 22nd and on the other hand the receiving basket 24 relative to each other by the second pivot actuator about the second horizontal pivot axis 26th be driven pivotably between the first receiving position and a working position in which the sieve cover 3 the container opening 15th des in the receiving basket 24 recorded construction container 1 in particular closes powder-tight.

The terms “above” and “below” or “upright” in the context of the description provided here relate to the position of use of the unpacking device 100 .

2 shows a side view of the unpacking device 100 of 1 in a situation in which the building container 1 with the objects recorded in it 9 into the depowdering chamber 4th and there in the receiving device located in its starting position 16 eg via a loading door of the depowdering chamber 4th is loaded. On the objects 9 Any building material remaining unsolidified during the construction process described above will then adhere.

The sieve cover is used for this 3 that is attached to the receiving basket 24 for example, is pivotably mounted relative to the receiving basket 24 for example, folded up into the first receiving position. Then the building container 1 like by the arrow 23 in 2 symbolized by the side opening of the receiving basket 24 in the receiving basket 24 for example used horizontally and there for example by an in 6th shown clamping device 29 the receiving facility 16 in the receiving basket 24 curious; excited. The clamping device 29 has for this purpose gripping means designed as gripping hooks, for example 31 on, which engage in particular on the building container bottom form-fitting and / or frictionally locking to the building container in the receiving basket 24 to fix. To relax the construction container 1 the gripping means then become from the receiving basket 31 from the building container floor 30th solved.

The building container 1 is located in the receiving basket 16 then in a substantially upright position in which the container opening 15th essentially pointing upwards, ie against the direction of gravity. Essentially upright position means that this upright position can also deviate by a certain amount from a purely vertical position.

Then the sieve lid 3 so pivoted down into the working position that it opens the container opening 15th of the building container 1 sealed powder-tight. So that this can occur, for example, a bottom of the receiving basket 24 from the sieve cover in the working position 3 a vertical distance, which is approximately the height of the construction container 1 corresponds. In the working position of the sieve cover 3 can therefore loose building material only from the building container 1 through the one in the sieve lid 3 integrated sieve 10 into the chamber 20th flow.

The pivoting of the sieve cover 3 from the first receiving position into the working position could instead of by the second pivot actuator controlled by the controller about the second pivot axis 26th can also be done by hand, for example using gloves to grip the housing.

When loading the construction container 1 into the de-powdering chamber 4th is the bulkhead 5 for example in the second position.

Then, for example, the de-powdering chamber 4th with a gas, preferably with air 14th flows through so that the building container 1 or the objects included therein 9 Heat is withdrawn, for example until the building container 1 or the objects included in it 9 have a predetermined temperature.

For this purpose, for example, the one in the building container 1 The prevailing temperature detected by at least one temperature sensor and reported to the controller.

Preferably before loose construction material 11 of the objects 9 in the powder chamber 4th and in the blasting chamber 6th is removed, a suction device is used by the electronic control 40 activated, which is activated, for example, at an upper outlet opening, seen here for example in the position of use 39 the blasting chamber 6th is arranged, and which from an interior of the blasting chamber 6th sucks. As the depowdering chamber 4th an upper inlet opening seen in the position of use 38 is then due to the pressure gradient generated by the suction device between an exterior and interior of the device 100 or the powder removal chamber 4th and the blasting chamber 6th via the inlet port 38 which is in communication with the atmosphere, one into the interior of the de-powdering chamber 4th directed air flow 35 which is then generated over the gap 42 in the blasting chamber 6th and from there via the outlet opening 39 by means of the suction device 40 got outside into the atmosphere. The inlet opening 38 can in particular have a filter through which the sucked in air is freed from particles.

For example, there can be a presence of the air flow 35 detected by a sensor device and a corresponding signal fed into the electronic control, which preferably only then with the de-powdering and post-processing (blasting) of the objects 9 sets in motion. The powder removal and post-processing (blasting) of the objects 9 is described below.

3 shows a side view of the device 100 of 1 then in a situation where the in the receiving basket 24 recorded and through the sieve cover in the working position 3 at its container opening 15th sealed construction containers 1 through the swivel device 2 around the second horizontal pivot axis 26th is pivoted such that the container opening 15th essentially pointing downwards, ie in the direction of gravity. In essence, pointing down means that of In a purely vertical position, certain deviations can exist as long as a gravity component can act on the powdery building material.

For example, the pivoting device pivots 2 the receiving device 16 with the construction container received in it 1 from the in 1 and 2 shown upright and in particular vertical position in which the container opening 15th of the building container 1 essentially points upwards, preferably by 180 ° into a head or emptying position in which the container opening 15th of the building container 1 then essentially points downwards, ie in the direction of the action of gravity. As a result of the pivoting of the construction container 1 At least part of the unsolidified building material dissolves into the top layer 11 of the objects 9 and then flows through the sieve 10 through into the chamber 20th which then points downwards. The objects then continue to lie 9 on the sieve that is now pointing downwards 10 up and stay there.

Parallel to the pivoting of the receiving device 16 or before or afterwards the reception facility can 16 , the sieve cover 3 , the sieve 10 and / or the swivel device 2 be set in vibration in order to detach any building material that has remained unsolidified 11 of the objects 9 to facilitate. Furthermore, that is then in the chamber 20th building material that has flowed and remained unconsolidated 11 via the suction hose 22nd through the suction device from the chamber 20th for example sucked into a storage container.

After this at least partial de-powdering or unpacking of the objects 9 and preferably based on the situation in which the building container is 1 is in the head position, the objects 9 unloaded from the building container. This situation shows 4th . In this case, a first unloading position, which can be controlled by the electronic control, is used to unload the building material that has remained unsolidified 11 at least partially liberated objects 9 taken from the building container, in which the sieve cover 3 the container opening 15th of the building container 1 at least partially releases and in which the objects 9 on the sieve 10 of the sieve cover 3 at least temporarily. The first unloading position can be assumed, for example, that the receiving basket 24 relative to the sieve cover, which is essentially in the top position 3 by the second pivot actuator about the second pivot axis 26th is pivoted until the sieve cover 3 the container opening 15th releases. The objects 9 are then exposed on the sieve 10 of the sieve cover 3 on. Before, at the same time or afterwards, the bulkhead will be 5 controlled by the electronic control in the first position so that on the sieve 10 of the sieve cover 3 overlying objects 9 the through opening 33 pass and into the blasting chamber 6th can get.

Preferably the sieve cover 3 and the receiving basket 24 by the second pivot actuator about the second pivot axis 26th pivoted relative to one another into a position in which the sieve cover 3 here, for example, an inclined (here sloping) transport surface for the objects resting on it 9 forms, which then due to gravity and / or by the influence of vibrations, under which, for example, the sieve 10 is placed along the sieve 10 move in an unloading direction which is from the building container 1 away and especially into the blasting chamber 6th shows. The sieve 10 then serves as a kind of “transport slide” for the objects 9 . The building container 1 is then preferably by the clamping device 26th still in the receiving basket 24 held and thereby slipping out of the receiving basket 24 prevented.

In this situation, the jet drum 7th by the control preferably around the first horizontal pivot axis 25th pivoted into a second receiving position in which the blasting drum opening 17th towards the sieve 10 shows. Alternatively, has jet drum 7th right from the start, ie when the construction container is loaded 1 into the de-powdering chamber 4th the second recording position on how off 2 emerges.

When all objects in the jet drum 7th have been loaded, which can be determined, for example, by a sensor device and communicated by a corresponding signal to the electronic control, this provides the bulkhead 5 back to the second position, in which only the gap 42 the passage opening 33 a connection between the depowdering chamber 4th and the blasting chamber 6th and through which then the flow 35 flows as in 7th is shown.

5 shows a side view of the unpacking device 100 of 1 in a situation where the objects 9 through the blasting device 8th in the jet drum 7th are irradiated with blasting particles, thereby further cleaning the objects 9 from building material that has remained unsolidified. For irradiating the objects 9 in the blasting chamber 6th is for example the jet drum 7th around the first horizontal pivot axis 25th pivoted by means of the first pivot actuator in such a way that the jet drum opening 17th in the direction of the blasting device 8th shows. The then assumed position of the blasting drum intended for irradiation 7th then corresponds, for example, to a second unloading position in which the objects that have already been irradiated 9 the jet drum 7th can be removed.

The blasting device 8th brings jet particles, in particular glass beads, from at least one nozzle under pressure in at least one cleaning jet 18th bundled out and is designed for example as a glass bead blasting system. The blasting device 8th can, for example, be moved in the vertical direction so as not to hit the blasting drum when pivoting 7th to collide.

The jet drum 7th is preferably by a rotation device about a pivot axis that is horizontal to the first 25th vertical axis 28 rotates so that the components 9 be mixed and rub against each other, whereby a further cleaning of adhering residual powder takes place. In addition, the blasting device cleans 8th Residual powder or non-solidified building material that is still on the surface of the objects 9 sticks, through the cleaning jet 18th from. The blasting particles of the cleaning jet 18th collect, for example, in a funnel outlet 12 the blasting chamber 6th and are conveyed, for example, with a conveyor spiral in the direction of a screen not shown here. The sieve then separates the blasting particles from any build-up material that has not been solidified (powder residues) 11 and guides the separated blasting particles to the blasting device, for example 8th again to. After the blasting process, the unpacked and cleaned objects can 9 the jet drum 7th via an unloading door 13th the blasting chamber 6th can be removed. The jet drum remains for this purpose 7th for example, in the second unloading position, in which the objects are also irradiated 9 in the jet drum 7th he follows.

It is clear that the electronic control, which controls the de-powdering process and all of the above-described actuators necessary beforehand, can form a structural unit or a distributed control.

List of reference symbols

100

contraption

1

Construction container

2

Swivel device

3

Sieve cover

4th

Powder removal chamber

5

Bulkhead

6th

Blasting chamber

7th

Jet drum

8th

Blasting device

9

object

10

Sieve

11

unsolidified building material

12th

Funnel outlet

13

Unloading door

14th

gas

15th

Container opening

16

Receiving facility

17th

Jet drum opening

18th

Cleaning jet

19th

Lid base

20th

chamber

21st

Suction opening

22nd

tube

23

arrow

24

Receiving basket

25th

first pivot axis

26th

second pivot axis

27

third pivot axis

28

axis

29

Clamping device

30th

Construction container floor

31

Gripping means

32

Construction container side wall

33

Through opening

34

Bulkhead

35

flow

36

Edge of 5

37

Edge of 33

38

Inlet opening

39

Outlet opening

40

Suction device

41

Sensor device

42

gap

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

• EP 3718692 A1 [0002]

Claims (26)

Device (100) for post-processing at least one object (9) produced using an additive manufacturing method by applying and selectively solidifying a powdery building material in layers, comprising a depowdering chamber (4) for at least partially removing loose building material from the at least one object (9), and a blasting chamber (6) for the post-treatment of the at least one object by means of at least one blasting material, a) means in the de-powdering chamber (4) controlled by a controller for removing loose build-up material from the at least one object (9) and in the blasting chamber (6) Means (8) controlled by the controller are provided for blasting the at least one object by means of a beam (18) of blasting material, and wherein b) the depowdering chamber (4) and the blasting chamber (6) are separated from one another by a bulkhead (34), which has at least one through opening (33), characterized by c) of a control tion controllable means (40) for generating a flow of a flow medium, which generate a flow (35) of the flow medium from the depowdering chamber (4) through the at least one passage opening (33) into the blasting chamber (6). Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that a) an opening cross-section of the through opening (33) depends on the position of at least one bulkhead (5) controlled by the controller in relation to the through opening (33), b) the bulkhead (5) being controllable in this way by the controller that b1) in a first position of the bulkhead (5) the opening cross section has a first opening cross section value in which a transport of the at least one object (9) from the depowdering chamber (4) through the through opening (33) into the blasting chamber ( 6) is made possible, and b2) in a second position of the bulkhead (5) the opening cross-section assumes a second opening cross-section value which is smaller than the first opening cross-section value, in which the flow (35) of the flow medium from the de-powdering chamber (4) in the blasting chamber (6) is made possible. Device according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the second opening cross-section value forms a minimum opening cross-section value of the through opening (33). Device according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that in the second position of the bulkhead (5) there is at least one gap between an edge (36) of the bulkhead (5) and an edge (37) of the through opening (33) through which the flow (35) flows . Device according to one of the Claims 2 to 4th , characterized in that a transport device (2, 3) is provided by which the transport of the at least one object (9) from the depowdering chamber (4) through the through opening (33) into the blasting chamber (6) takes place, wherein a) the bulkhead (5) is controlled by the controller into the first position when the transport of the at least one object (9) from the depowdering chamber (4) through the passage opening (33) into the blasting chamber (6) takes place or is to take place, and b) the bulkhead (5) otherwise, in particular if the at least one object (9) is not or should not be transported from the depowdering chamber (4) through the passage opening (33) into the blasting chamber (6), from the control to the second Position is controlled. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow (35) of the flow medium is a suction flow, the de-powdering chamber (4) having an inlet opening (38) for the flow medium and the blasting chamber (6) an outlet opening (39) for the flow medium which is connected to the means (40) for generating the flow of the flow medium. Device according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the means (40) for generating the flow of the flow medium are designed such that they generate a suction flow of the flow medium between the inlet opening (38) and the outlet opening (39). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow medium is formed by air. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for removing loose building material from the at least one object (9) and / or the means (8) for blasting the at least one object by means of a beam (18) of blasting material from the Control are controlled such that they are only activated when a release signal has been generated by the control. Device according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the release signal is generated by the controller when f) the means (40) for generating the flow (35) of the flow medium have been activated by the controller, and / or g) a flow signal, which signals that the flow (35) of the flow medium is present, has been fed into the control by a sensor device (41) cooperating with the control. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one object (9) was created in the course of a building process within a pot-shaped building container (1) provided with at least one container opening (15). Device according to Claim 11 , characterized in that arranged in the depowdering chamber (4) are: h) a swivel device (2), i) a receiving device provided and designed for receiving the construction container (1) and having at least one sieve cover (3) with a sieve (10) (16), which can be pivoted about at least one axis by the pivoting device (2), wherein j) the sieve (10) is designed so that the construction material (11) that has remained unsolidified, but not the at least one object (9), the sieve (10 ) can happen, and k) the sieve cover (3) is movably mounted on the receiving device (16), and wherein I) at least the pivoting device (2) and the sieve cover (3) are designed and controlled by the control system such that e1 ) the building container (1) with the at least one object (9) received therein, to which building material (11) that has not yet solidified adheres, can be received in or on the receiving device (16) in an essentially upright position, in which the container opening (15) essentially points upwards, and that e2) the sieve cover (3) between a first receiving position in which the building container (1) can be received in or on the receiving device (16) in the essentially upright position and the Container opening is at least partially unlocked, and a working position can be controlled, in which the sieve cover (3) closes the container opening (15) of the building container (1) received in or on the receiving device (16), and that e3) the building container (1) with the sieve cover (3) brought into working position between the essentially upright position and a head position can be pivoted at least once about the at least one axis in which the container opening (15) of the construction container (1) points essentially downwards in the direction of gravity and in which the at least one object (9) rests on the sieve (10), as a result of which the sieve (10) through what has remained unsolidified and from the at least one object (9) detached building material (11) is passable. Device according to Claim 12 , characterized in that the sieve cover (3) is at least partially formed by the sieve (10), so that building material (11) which has remained unsolidified, detached from the at least one object (9) and passes the sieve (10) directly into the depowdering chamber (4) or flows into a container arranged in the depowdering chamber (4) at least as a result of gravity. Device according to one of the Claims 11 to 13th , characterized in that a chamber (20) is formed between the sieve (10) and a cover base (19) of the sieve cover (3), into which the sieve (10) remaining unsolidified and detached from the at least one object (9) Passing construction material (11) flows in the top position of the construction container (1). Device according to Claim 14 , characterized in that the lid base (19) has at least one suction opening (21) to which a suction device is connected for suctioning off the building material (11) that has remained unsolidified and detached from the at least one object (9) from the chamber (20). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an unloading position of the sieve cover (3) controllable by the controller is provided for unloading the at least one object (9) from the building container (1), at least partially freed from building material (11) that has remained unsolidified , in which the sieve cover (3) at least partially releases the container opening (15) of the construction container (1) and in which the at least one object (9) rests on the sieve (10) of the sieve cover (3) at least temporarily. Device according to Claim 16 , characterized in that in the unloading position of the sieve cover (3) and in the position of use of the device, the sieve cover (3) forms a horizontal or inclined transport surface in such a way that the at least one object (9) lying on the sieve (10) is due to gravity and / or by vibrations applied at least to the sieve (10) along the sieve (10) in an unloading direction which in particular points away from the building container (1). Device according to Claim 17 , characterized in that the discharge direction points into the blasting chamber (6). Device according to Claim 17 or 18th , characterized in that the sieve (10) in the unloading position of the sieve cover (3) forms a transport surface along which the at least an object (9) can be transported from the depowdering chamber (4) into the blasting chamber (6). Device according to one of the Claims 11 to 19th , characterized in that a blasting device (8) having at least one blasting container (7) is arranged in the blasting chamber (6), through which the at least one beam (18) of blasting material onto the at least one object (9) or into the interior at least a blasting container (7) can be directed. Device according to Claim 20 , characterized in that the blasting container (7) is designed to be pivotable and can be pivoted by the control into a receiving position of the blasting container (7) in which it can receive the at least one object (9) transported along the sieve (10). Device according to Claim 20 or 21st , characterized in that the blasting container (7) can be pivoted by the control into an unloading position of the blasting container (7) in which the at least one object (9) it has picked up can be unloaded. Device according to one of the Claims 11 to 22nd , characterized in that the sieve cover (3) is pivotably and / or translationally movably mounted on the receiving device (16) and is controlled by the controller to carry out a pivoting and / or translational movement. Device according to one of the Claims 11 to 23 , characterized in that the pivoting device (2) is designed and controlled by the controller in such a way that the receiving device (16) together can perform a full rotation around a particularly horizontal axis at least once. Device according to one of the Claims 11 to 24 , characterized in that the receiving device (16) has a tensioning device (19) controlled by the controller, by means of which the building container (1) can be clamped on or in the receiving device (16) and released from it. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bulkhead (5) comprises a door, a flap or a roller shutter.

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