EP3986701A1

EP3986701A1 - Arrangement of 3d printing device

Info

Publication number: EP3986701A1
Application number: EP20739251.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bastian HEYMEL; Martin Sinzinger; Tobias LACHENMAIR; Ingo Ederer; Josef Grasegger
Original assignee: Voxeljet AG
Current assignee: Voxeljet AG
Priority date: 2019-06-23
Filing date: 2020-06-23
Publication date: 2022-04-27
Also published as: WO2020259731A1; US20220388247A1; DE102019004342A1; CN114126839A

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for the layer-by-layer formation of mouldings from a particulate material, comprising at least one process unit (1.5, 5.2, 6.2) which can be guided to and installed in the arrangement, preferably automatically, and which comprises a printing unit (2.6, 3.6, 7.6) and a coating system (2. 2, 3.2, 7.2) with a dynamic filling system; or/and a receiving device for a building container; a preferably automatic feeder for the building container (1.3); and an adjustment device for offline preparation of the process unit.

Description

Arrangement of a 3D printing device

description

The invention relates to a device and a method for producing 3-D molded parts with at least one process unit, which is also particularly suitable for large-scale production of 3-D molded parts such as foundry cores and molds and other articles that are required in large numbers.

The European patent specification EP 0 431 924 B1 describes a method for producing three-dimensional objects from computer data. A particle material is applied to a platform in a thin layer by means of a recoater and this is selectively printed with a binder material by means of a print head. The particle area printed with the binder connects and solidifies under the influence of the binder and, if necessary, an additional hardener. The construction platform is then lowered by a layer thickness or the coater / print head unit is raised and a new layer of particulate material is applied, which is also selectively printed as described above. These steps are repeated until the desired height of the object is reached. A three-dimensional object (molded part) is created from the printed and solidified areas.

This object made of solidified particulate material is embedded in loose particulate material after its completion and is then freed from it. This is done for example by means of a suction device. Left over

1

Confirmation copy j then the desired objects, which are then further cleaned of the residual powder, e.g. by brushing off.

Other powder-based rapid prototyping processes, such as e.g. selective laser sintering or electron beam sintering, in which a loose particle material is applied in layers and selectively solidified with the help of a controlled physical radiation source.

In the following, all of these processes are summarized under the term three-dimensional printing process or 3D printing process.

Some of these processes use different options for layer application. In some methods, the particulate material required for the entire layer is presented to a thin blade. This is then moved over the construction area and spreads out the material presented and smooths it in the process. Another type of layer application is the continuous application of a small volume of particulate material during the movement of the blade. For this purpose, the blade is usually attached to the underside of a movable silo. An adjustable gap is provided directly above or next to the blade, through which the particulate material can flow out of the silo. The outflow is stimulated by introducing vibrations into the silo blade system.

Subsequently or during the layer application, the selective solidification by means of liquid application and / or exposure to radiation follows. It is often necessary for the quality of the print that the distance between the moving printing device and the current layer plane is as constant as possible. The components are usually in a build container after printing. This building container usually represents a cuboid volume. This volume is loaded with the most varied of geometries in order to fully utilize the machine.

State-of-the-art printers sometimes have construction containers that can be removed from the system and are also referred to as job boxes or construction containers. These serve as a limit for the powder and thus stabilize the building process. By changing the construction container, process steps can be parallelized and the system can thus be fully utilized. There are also systems in which printing is carried out on a platform which, like the construction container, can be removed from the system. Methods are also known in which printing is carried out on a continuous conveyor belt at a certain angle. The machine features mentioned were able to make the construction processes more economical and help reduce downtimes. However, known 3D printers still have the disadvantage that considerable downtimes of the machines mean a suboptimal degree of utilization.

3D printing on the basis of powdered materials and the introduction of liquid binders is the fastest process among the layered construction techniques. This process can be used to process various particle materials, including - but not exhaustively - natural biological raw materials, polymer plastics, metals, ceramics and sands.

The construction field level, on the other hand, is determined by the coating blade in contact with the powder and its axis of travel.

If one or more of the components of the coater blade, print head or radiation source is replaced, the spare parts and their mounts must either be manufactured so precisely that the required parallelism is achieved is reproduced, or there must be facilities on one of the two elements that allow adjustment to each other.

The manufacturing accuracy of the machine parts or spare parts is usually not sufficient to meet the specified accuracy requirements. For this reason, replacing one of the components requires switching off the system for the duration of the change and readjustment. Depending on the type of system, this can require several hours of system downtime. In addition, the work must be carried out on site by an experienced technician.

The mentioned downtimes of the 3D printing systems imply significant economic disadvantages and especially with 3D printing systems or system lines that are designed to achieve a high production throughput, the aforementioned downtimes are problematic or even incompatible with the required production targets.

In many cases, 3D printing machines cannot be integrated into series production because they require too long downtimes for maintenance work and thus slow down the other production steps.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device with which a maximum output of printed parts is achieved with a high degree of automation while at the same time minimizing downtimes.

Another object of the application is to provide a device which, in addition to a high degree of automation and preferably enables in-line quality control. Brief summary of the disclosure

The disclosure relates to an arrangement for building up molded parts in layers from a particulate material, comprising

at least one of the arrangement, preferably automatically, feedable and installable process unit, which has a printing unit and a coater with a dynamic filling system; or / and an automatic feeder for a building container; and an adjustment device for offline preparation of the process unit.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to an arrangement for building up molded parts in layers from a particulate material, comprising at least one process unit that can be supplied and installed in the arrangement, has a printing unit and a coater system and an adjustment device for offline preparation of the process unit.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to an arrangement for building up molded parts in layers from a particulate material, comprising at least one process unit which can be fed and installed in the arrangement, a printing unit and a coater system and a digital, line camera or an IR camera that can be moved with the process unit Measurement of the construction field temperature and / or the print image.

The arrangement according to the present invention preferably has a heat sensor, for example an IR camera, for measuring a construction site temperature, and possibly an air conditioner. According to a preferred embodiment, this heat sensor can preferably be connected to the air conditioning unit via a control and process unit.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a line sensor is provided in the area between the application unit and the printing unit. This line sensor is preferably connected to a further process and control unit in order to enable the process factors to be corrected directly, preferably in a closed loop, depending on the measurement by the line sensor.

Brief description of the figures

FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of an arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a process unit according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows the process unit according to FIG. 2 in a plan view;

FIG. 4 shows an adjusting device according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention in a front view;

Figure 5 shows a transport box according to a further preferred one

Embodiment of the invention in a front view;

FIG. 6 shows an illustration of a removal aid according to a preferred embodiment;

7 shows a coater and storage tank according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 shows the building container infeed (job box infeed) according to a preferred embodiment in a top view (a) and front view (b). Detailed description of the disclosure

Some terms are defined in more detail below. Otherwise, the meanings known to the person skilled in the art are to be understood for the terms used.

For the purposes of the disclosure, “layer construction methods” or “3D printing methods” are all methods known from the prior art that enable components to be built in three-dimensional shapes and are compatible with the method components and devices described below.

"Binder jetting" in the sense of the disclosure is to be understood that powder is applied in layers to a building platform, the cross-sections of the component on this powder layer are printed with one or more liquids, the position of the building platform is changed by one layer thickness to the last position and these steps are repeated until the component is finished.Binder jetting is also understood here to mean layered construction processes that require a further process component such as layer-by-layer exposure, for example with IR or UV radiation, and processes that also referred to as high speed sintering.

“Molded body” or “component” or “3D molded part” or “3D component” in the sense of the disclosure are all three-dimensional objects produced by means of 3D printing processes that have dimensional stability.

"3D printer" or "printer" in the sense of the disclosure refers to the device in which a 3D printing process can take place. A 3D printer in the sense of the disclosure has an application means for building material, for example a fluid such as a particulate material, and a solidification unit, for example a print head or an energy input means such as a laser or a heat lamp. Further Machine components known to those skilled in the art and components known in 3D printing are combined with the above-mentioned machine components depending on the special requirements in the individual case.

"Construction field" is the level or, in a broader sense, the geometric location on which or in which a bed of particulate material grows during the construction process through repeated coating with particulate material. The construction field is often made up of a floor, the "construction platform", walls and an open top surface , the building level.

“Process unit” or “functional unit” in the sense of the disclosure denotes a means or a component with the use of which the result of the processes of coating and selective hardening can be achieved; these can include coaters (recoaters), print heads, nozzles, laser units, heat sources, UV light sources and / or other layer treatment agents.

The “printing” or “3D printing” process in the sense of the disclosure denotes the summary of the processes of material application, selective solidification or also printing and adjusting the working height and takes place in an open or closed process space.

A “receiving plane” in the sense of the disclosure is to be understood as the plane on which the building material is applied. According to the disclosure, the receiving plane is always freely accessible in one spatial direction by a linear movement.

"Travel axis" in the sense of the disclosure is an axis that carries a process unit or that can be created along it, is arranged above the construction site tools and has a wide travel path compared to the other axes in the system. "Travel axis" can, however, also indicate the direction in which, for example, a construction site tool is clocked and in Coordination with other device parts can be moved. A print head can also be moved on a "travel axis".

"Construction field tool" or "functional unit" in the sense of the disclosure are all means or device parts which are used for the application of fluid, e.g. Particulate material, and the selective solidification are used in the production of molded parts. All material application means and layer treatment means are also construction site tools or functional units.

"Spreading" in the sense of the disclosure means any way in which the particulate material is distributed. For example, a larger amount of powder can be presented at the start position of a coating run and distributed or spread into the volume of the layer by a blade or a rotating roller.

As “building material” or “particulate material” or “powder” in the sense of the disclosure, all flowable materials known for 3D printing can be used, in particular in powder form, as a slip or as a liquid. This can be, for example, sand, ceramic powder, glass powder, and others Powders made of inorganic or organic materials such as metal powder, plastics, wood particles, fiber materials, celluloses and / or lactose powder and other types of organic, powdery materials. The particle material is preferably a dry, free-flowing powder, but a cohesive, cut-resistant powder can also be used . This cohesiveness can also result from the addition of a binder material or an auxiliary material such as a liquid. The addition of a liquid can result in the particulate material in the form of a slip being free-flowing. Synthetic resins such as epoxides are also used as building materials within the meaning of the disclosure or he considers acrylates. In general, particulate material can also be referred to as fluids for the purposes of the disclosure. The "excess amount" or "overfeed" is the amount of particulate material that is pushed in front of the coater during the coating run at the end of the construction field.

“Coater” or “recoater” or “material application means” in the sense of the disclosure is the unit by means of which a fluid is applied to the construction field. This can consist of a fluid storage container and a fluid application unit, wherein according to the present invention the fluid application unit has a fluid outlet and a "Squeegee device" includes. This doctor blade device could be a coater blade. However, any other conceivable suitable doctor blade device could also be used. For example, rotating rollers or a nozzle are also conceivable. The material supply can be freely flowing via storage containers or extruder screws, pressurization or others

Material conveyors take place. A coater with one material outlet opening or two material outlet openings in opposite directions can be used. Blades can be attached to the material outlet openings in order to apply the material. These can be controlled by generating vibrations and so the outlet can be controlled by bridging or cone formation in the powder material or the formation of bridges or cones can be broken by blowing in gas, for example circulating air. The coater can be combined with print heads arranged laterally on it, so that a coating can take place bidirectionally and the binder can also be applied in both directions during the passage. This arrangement can also be combined with a digital, line camera or an IR camera for measuring the construction field temperature and / or the print image being preferably attached to both sides. The coater can be part of a process unit. The “print head” or means for selective solidification within the meaning of the disclosure is usually composed of various components. Among other things, these can be print modules. The print modules have a large number of nozzles from which the "binder" is ejected in droplet form onto the construction field. The print modules are oriented relative to the print head. The print head is oriented relative to the machine. The position of a nozzle can thus be assigned to the machine coordinate system The plane in which the nozzles are located is usually referred to as the nozzle plate. Another means for selective solidification can also be one or more lasers or other radiation sources or a heat lamp. Arrays of such radiation sources, such as laser diode arrays, are also possible In the sense of the disclosure, it is permissible for the selectivity to be introduced separately from the solidification reaction. A print head or one or more lasers can be used to selectively treat the layer and other layer treatment agents to start solidification. An example of this would be printing the layer with UV reactive resins, which are then solidified by a UV light source. In another embodiment, the particulate material is printed with an IR absorber and then solidified with an infrared source. The print head can be part of a process unit.

"Layer treatment agents" in the sense of the disclosure are all agents that are suitable to achieve a certain effect in the layer. This can include the aforementioned units such as print head or laser but also heat sources in the form of IR radiators or other radiation sources such as UV radiation. Means for de- or ionization of the layer are also conceivable. What all layer treatment agents have in common is that their zone of action is linearly distributed over the layer and that, like the other layer units such as print head or coater, they have to be guided over the construction field to cover the entire area Layer to achieve. “Actuators” in the sense of the disclosure are all technical means that are suitable for triggering the movement of layer treatment agents relative to one another within an exchangeable functional unit, or that carry out movements of individual parts or assemblies within the layer treatment agent.

"Entry opening" in the sense of the disclosure is the area on a 3D printing machine where the exchangeable functional unit is pushed in and out of the 3D printing machine for changing; this entry opening can be open or can be closed with suitable means such as a lock or a The opening and closing can be done with a separate control or by moving the interchangeable functional unit in and out, the closure is automatically opened and closed again. There can also be a kind of barrier at the entry opening, such as a slotted film or bristles through which the replaceable functional unit can be pushed.

A “suitable receiving means” in the sense of the disclosure is a means which is arranged at the target position and supports the positioning and the correct function of the exchangeable functional unit at the target position. Thus, the positional tolerance of a replaceable functional unit within the 3D printing machine is defined by a suitable receiving means, and thus also the positional tolerance of the layer treatment means in relation to the construction field.

"Connecting means" in the sense of the disclosure can be rails, frames or other parts with which the functional units of the exchangeable functional unit are connected to one another and arranged in their three dimensions and which can optionally also serve to extend and retract the exchangeable functional unit in or out From the 3D printing machine, the functional units can also be directly connected to one another in a special embodiment and in addition, means can be attached to this interchangeable functional unit, which are intended for retraction and extension. The connecting means are preferably designed in such a way that the individual functional units are easily accessible in order to adjust their position or to exchange them.

"Closure means" in the sense of the disclosure is any means that is used to close the inlet opening for the exchangeable functional unit, e.g. a flap, door, a slide, a row of brushes, etc.

"Supply" in the sense of the disclosure is the supply of energy, building material or other media such as compressed air or cooling water to the individual functional units. The supply is preferably implemented so that it can be quickly coupled by suitable measures. The coupling is preferably carried out at a common coupling position in the form of a Coupling strip or a coupling block The supply can preferably be coupled without additional manual interaction, for example just by moving it in and out.

"Preset" in the sense of the disclosure means that the functional units contained in the interchangeable functional unit are coordinated with one another in position and position so that a simple approach to the target position, use of the securing means and production of the media supply is sufficient for the 3D- Printing machine can be put back into operation immediately after it has been retracted, without essentially any adjustment or readjustment or any setting in relation to the replaceable functional unit being required.

“Target position” in the sense of the disclosure is the point in the 3D printing machine up to which the exchangeable functional unit is inserted and at which it is preferably fixed with the securing means. "Removal position" in the sense of the disclosure is the point in the 3D printing machine at which the functional unit must be in order to extend it from the device. The control of the 3D printer accordingly has a command in which the removal position of the replaceable functional unit is This position is advantageously located above the construction field. The removal position is still more advantageously approximately in the middle of the construction field. The two possible end positions of the exchangeable functional unit are less suitable, since this is where the maintenance units for the construction field tools are usually located When changing the functional unit, the construction site tools should advantageously not be in contact with a current shift. This can be ensured, for example, by lowering the construction platform beforehand by a corresponding amount. This process also ka nn are stored in the control, so that the lowering of the construction platform and the approach to the removal position take place as a combined sequence in preparation for the change of the functional unit.

"Process unit" in the sense of the disclosure is understood to mean the combination of several layer application means, layer treatment means and print head. The process unit preferably consists of a central construction field-wide print head with a print head displacement axis, then on both sides there are two coaters or layer application means with the associated filling hoppers for feeding the particulate material. Subsequently, further coating treatment means, e.g. in the form of IR emitters, are mounted. In addition, further inspection means such as line cameras can be located on the process unit. The process unit has a self-supporting structure and can be separated from the system via a corresponding coupling device will. “Coupling point” in the sense of the disclosure is understood to mean the position of the process unit in the system that is best suited to remove the process unit from the system. This can be, for example, a central position in which the process unit can be removed from the side or upwards can.

"Application unit" or "layer application unit" refers to a combination of coater and filling hopper.

"Zero point clamps" in the sense of the disclosure denote clamping means which are used for a repeatable, precise positioning of the respective clamping material.

It is interesting for quality assurance, e.g. with a line camera to optically record each processed layer and possibly evaluate it using special software. E.g. if there is a corresponding contrast between the printed and unprinted particulate material, it can be determined whether the printing process was flawless. As a rule, a digital camera with a corresponding lens is sufficient for a 3D printer of the prior art, e.g. is suspended in a corner of the construction space and is aimed at the construction field. In the embodiment according to the invention, however, the process unit covers each layer in such a way that it is not possible to see the printed particle material freely. Rather, after each pass of the process unit there is a printed layer already covered with a new layer of particulate material.

In order to still arrive at an evaluable image, a so-called line camera can be used. This is a digital camera, the pixels of which are only elongated and distributed over the entire width of the construction field. A two-dimensional image is only created when the camera is moved over the image to be recorded and the recorded points are stored with the respective position of the line camera. The advantage of this approach is that the camera takes up very little space. required and can be easily integrated into the process unit after the print head. The process unit then preferably has two line cameras which are mounted to the left and right of the print head in order to be able to record each layer. Without restricting the generality, however, other camera systems can also be used which, for example, have appropriate optics to be able to record an image between the print head and the coater. In this case, too, the device preferably has at least two camera systems which each record their images to the left and right of the print head or a camera which uses appropriate optics to record images to the left and right of the print head. When using a normal camera with a two-dimensional image field, a complete layer image is produced as when using a line camera by combining several individual images that are recorded when the process unit moves over the construction field.

"Offset axis" in the sense of the disclosure denotes the device for shifting the print head transversely to the printing direction. In order to avoid overlaying weak or malfunctioning nozzles on the print head, it is advantageous to remove the print head by a certain amount, preferably not the same amount, before each print run This is done with the offset axis. In order for the print image to be of high quality, the offset axis must be sufficiently precise and have a good resolution. Usually, the resolution of the traverse movement should be at least half the print resolution. The positioning accuracy of the offset axis should be even higher Combinations of linear guides and a ball screw drive with servo motor are suitable for this task. All application units including the print head require regular cleaning. This cleaning can be done passively, for example with standing brushes. However, the cleaning devices can also actively carry out the cleaning process with their own movement means.

The disclosure relates, in one aspect, to an arrangement for layering

Building up molded parts from a particulate material, comprising

at least one of the arrangement, preferably automatically, feedable and installable process unit, which has a printing unit and a coater with a dynamic filling system;

an automatic feeder for a building container; and

an adjustment device for offline preparation of the process unit.

In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to an arrangement for building up molded parts in layers from a particulate material, comprising at least one process unit that can be fed to the arrangement and installed, which has a printing unit and a coater system and a digital, line camera or an IR camera that can be moved with the process unit Measurement of the construction field temperature and / or the print image.

The adjustment device for offline preparation of the process unit is also provided, in particular, in order to minimize the downtimes of the arrangement in production. It is therefore proposed to adjust the process unit offline in a specially developed device. This device can be provided, for example, with an integrated measuring device which allows the process unit to be set up, measured and, if necessary, readjusted in an installation situation according to the machine. For this purpose, the adjusting device can for example be equipped with suitable guide elements, preferably a flatness of +/- 0.02 mm over the entire travel range, preferably approx. Im x 1.5m to move the measuring head in X and Y along the process unit. Ideally, the measuring head is an electronic device so that the measurement data can be automatically entered in a log.

The arrangement according to the present invention preferably has a heat sensor, for example an IR camera, for measuring a construction site temperature, and optionally an air conditioner or a heat source, e.g. in the form of an IR radiator. According to a preferred embodiment, this heat sensor can preferably be connected to the air-conditioning unit and / or to the heat source via a control and process unit.

Since thermal management generally makes a decisive contribution to component quality in 3-D printing processes, a preferred embodiment proposes equipping the arrangement according to the invention with an IR sensor, e.g. an IR camera system, which enables continuous monitoring of the construction field temperature. If this sensor is then connected to the air conditioning unit via a process and control unit, an in-line closed-loop thermal management could take place.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a line sensor is provided in the area between the application unit and the printing unit.

This line sensor is preferably connected to a further process and control unit in order to enable the process factors to be corrected directly, preferably in a closed loop, depending on the measurement by the line sensor. A major disadvantage of the systems available on the market is that the print result only becomes visible at the end of the complete print, i.e. when the job box is unpacked. Since this can sometimes take several hours, a lot of valuable time goes by. Newer systems already use common camera systems to inspect the print image after each layer has been completed.

This technique cannot be used in particular with a bidirectional mode of operation. It is therefore proposed to mount a sensor between the print head and the coater so that an in-situ inspection of the print image is possible even with the bidirectional mode of operation. For this purpose, a line camera was integrated between the right and left coater of the print head and then equipped with specially adapted software, which can then compare the real print image with the target image and thus indicate to the operator disruptions in the process at an early stage. The operator can then decide whether to interrupt the print or let it run to the end. In addition, the system operator could also sort out individual components that may show conspicuous images when printing several components at the same time.

According to the present invention, it is now possible, among other things, to reduce downtimes because, for example, by using a process unit for changing this, aids are also made available that enable the device to be exchanged quickly and put back into operation at short notice.

With the device according to the invention, it is advantageously possible to reduce or avoid the downtimes of 3D printing machines caused by maintenance work or the necessary replacement of parts or functional components susceptible to wear. The machine running time can thus be increased and one or more 3D Printing machines, to be integrated into a network of other manufacturing systems, e.g. in series production, e.g. in vehicle construction.

The invention thus makes it possible for the first time to incorporate 3D printing machines into essentially fully automated production processes.

In the past, certain components produced with 3D printing had to be pre-produced and these parts were sometimes a time-limiting factor in other production processes. In addition, storage and delivery involved organizational effort and costs.

With the invention it becomes possible to produce 3D molded parts directly on site and integrated into other semi-automated or fully automated manufacturing processes. This makes it possible to simplify complex manufacturing processes.

The invention thus advantageously contributes to a further automation of 3D printing processes per se as well as other manufacturing processes and series productions using 3D printing processes.

Such a 3D printing machine has the advantages set out above and also solves the tasks on which the application is based.

Furthermore, a 3D printing device disclosed here can have an insertion opening with a closure means, wherein the closure means can be opened and closed or the closure means is opened or penetrated by the process unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8 when moving in and out.

In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for extending and / or retracting, ie for changing or replacing, an exchangeable process unit as described above in or from a 3D- Printing device, where the process unit is moved to the 3D printing device with a lifting device, optionally a crane, a lifting platform or a lifting carriage, the process unit is moved into the inlet opening, is positioned at the target position in the 3D printing device and is by means of an or several securing means is determined.

With a method of this type, it is possible for the first time to quickly and easily replace a plurality of process units, without the need for complicated adjustment work on the machine itself during the replacement, with the associated disadvantages described. An exchangeable process unit is advantageously used which comprises several functional units and which are pre-adjusted so that complex and time-consuming setting work on the machine itself is not necessary.

Further aspects of the disclosure are presented below.

In known 3D printing machines, print heads and coating blades are essential wear parts. Depending on the process, there are also exposure units and / or irradiation units.

For a good print result, these units must be aligned to one another within a certain framework. The coater defines the position of the layer plane in space and the print head should be guided as constant as possible from the layer plane.

If you replace a single component, it must then be adjusted to the other components depending on the version. Due to the size of the machines, the manufacturing accuracy of the parts is usually not sufficient to achieve the desired result without adjustment. An adjustment in the machine can also be complex, since it takes place under limited space and there is no accessibility. In addition, the system may have to be moved to a special, safe setup mode so that an operator can manipulate the units. Last but not least, there may be

Process media in the machine from which the setter must be protected.

The coater is a unit for dispensing fluid media such as particulate materials, resins, slips or pastes in a defined form onto a base, so that a flat layer of this medium is created with a predetermined thickness. A coater can be used to apply powder / particulate materials.

The coater could e.g. be designed as a roller that rotates in the opposite direction to the coating direction. The reel could turn a

Particulate matter reservoir be expanded. The reservoir could e.g. Dosing of particulate material in front of the roller is controlled by a rotary valve.

Another embodiment relates to a swing coater with a swinging suspended powder reservoir and a building field-wide gap in the lower area on one side of the powder container, which points in the coating direction. The coater also has a drive that sets the reservoir in motion and lets the powder trickle out of the gap.

In one aspect, devices in the manner of an inkjet device can be used as the print head, but it is also conceivable to use selective exposure units such as lasers, projectors or mirrors via which selective exposure units can be projected onto the construction field. Alternatively, other devices can also be used for Information transfer are used, such as toners or ink transfer rollers, which are known, for example, from laser printers or offset printing.

In addition, it may be that other units such as Exposure units are carried, which act like the coater on the entire width of the unit. These exposure units can e.g. in the UV range but also in the thermal radiation range, give off energy to the construction site. It can also be that drying units are carried along, e.g. work on the supply and removal of hot air.

In addition to these components in the exchangeable process unit, it is also conceivable that the exchangeable process unit consists of combinations of several coaters, one or more print heads and several irradiation units.

In the system itself, the traversing axes are mounted in such a way that they can simply pick up the exchangeable process unit and move it across the construction field. For this purpose, only one pair of axes is preferably required, which is located parallel to the coating direction on each side of the construction field.

In one embodiment, the exchangeable process unit is moved from one reversal position to the other and produces a fully processed layer during this movement.

The machine can also have maintenance units that relate to parts of the exchangeable process unit and that must also be started up from time to time. This can be, for example, a print head cleaning station and / or a recoater cleaning station. In alternative embodiments, such maintenance units could also be mounted on the replaceable process unit and replaced with it. The system also has units for supplying the exchangeable process unit with media such as particle materials, inks and energy.

The facility has a rectangular construction field. According to the present disclosure and in the context of the present disclosure, rectangular building areas have been found to be advantageous over square or differently shaped building areas in the binder jetting 3D printing method used here and the device arrangement according to the disclosure. In this way, the application of the application means can advantageously be optimized.

In one aspect, the construction field has a short side and a long side. The application means are moved over the short side over the construction field. For example, the short side length is between 0.3 and 2.5 m, e.g. between 0.5 and 1.5 m. The long side measures, for example, between 1.2 and 4 times the size of the short side, more advantageously between 1.2 and 2.5 times the size of the short side.

Along the two short sides there are means to guide the application units over the construction field at a predetermined distance and speed. Linear axes are particularly suitable for this. These can guide the application agents over the construction field via a belt drive and servo motors. However, linear axes with spindle drives or linear motors are also possible. The drive of the two axles can be synchronized via a connecting shaft or via a so-called electrical coupling of individual electrical drives on both axles.

The drives must be able to move the application material over the construction field at a uniform speed of movement of 0.2 - 2 m / s. The linear axes have coupling points on which the application units are placed in a so-called process unit. The coupling points are designed in such a way that they allow the process unit to be changed quickly and to bring the process unit back into the appropriate position without further adjustment steps.

The coupling points can be designed using a combination of so-called zero point clamps.

The process unit has application units for the particulate material and one or more fluids. In addition, via other layer treatment agents such as radiation sources or fumigants and inspection units such as line cameras.

The process unit is preferably designed symmetrically and has one or more print heads centrally. Preferably 1 to two printheads. A print head is designed in such a way that it spans the entire long side of the construction field and can completely print it with a fluid in a suitable manner in one pass step. The print heads are so-called drop-on-demand printing units with a large number of individually controllable nozzles. The resolution of a print head is usually 90-2000 dpi, advantageously 150 to 1200 dpi.

The print head or heads have one or more fluid lines. They also have electrical contacts for transmitting the data and the control voltage as well as cables for generating overpressure or underpressure at the nozzles. All feed and discharge lines on the print head (s) are preferably designed to be coupled directly to the print head or in its vicinity. The print head or heads have a holder which can be used to set and fix the position of the print head in relation to the construction field and the height above the construction field of the print head or heads in a suitable manner.

In addition, the print head or heads are mounted on what is known as an offset axis, which allows the print head to move transversely in the direction of the long side of the construction field. The axis is designed in such a way that it can move the print head by at least one nozzle width, better still by 50 to 200 nozzle widths.

The displacement of the print head is activated in a suitable manner before each print run in order to avoid the superimposition of individual nozzles over the layer structure. Failed nozzles can be compensated for.

Spindle drives with servo motors are particularly suitable as offset axes. However, linear motors are also suitable.

On both sides of the print head or heads there are application means or coaters for applying layers of the particulate material.

The particulate material is preferably fed into the printer from above. The particulate material can be stored in a silo or fed continuously in some other way, the particulate material storage being essentially outside the system. From there, the particulate material is transported to the printer using a conveyor system. Screw conveyors or screws or systems based on positive or negative pressure are particularly suitable for this task. The material is then temporarily stored in a storage container. The storage tank also serves to distribute the material over the entire width of the coater. Ultimately, the storage container is an elongated silo, the length of which essentially corresponds to the coater width. The width of the storage container is usually the width of the coater hopper customized. At least in the lower outlet area, the width of the storage container should be smaller than that of the coater hopper. The height of the storage container must be designed so that sufficient particulate material is available in the edge area for more than one coating run. Advantageously enough particulate material should be available so that the coater hopper can be completely filled. The distribution of the particulate material in the storage container can take place via the pouring cone, but this requires the container to be at a greater height. Or, the particulate material is distributed via a distribution device, for example a spiral or a screw, which is located in the upper part of the container over the length of the container. There is a closable outlet opening on the lower part of the storage container. This opening is designed so that it extends into the coater hopper and transports the particulate material there. A closure mechanism on the storage container is preferably designed in such a way that it enables the coating hopper to be filled at the same level, regardless of the filling state of the coating hopper before refilling. Different concepts can be considered for this. One possible solution is a sliding mechanism with a sequence of openings and webs and a standing counterpart shaped in the same way. If the moving part is moved in relation to the stationary part in such a way that the openings are superimposed, particulate material flows off. On the other hand, if the mechanism is shifted so that the openings meet the webs, no particulate material can flow out.

Another embodiment of a suitable closure comprises a flap which extends over the length of the storage container and is suspended on the narrow sides with a pivot point in each case. A suitable shape of a flap is, for example, a pipe section, the pivot points advantageously coinciding with the center of the pipe cross-section. Such a flap can easily be operated, for example, by means of a lever and a pneumatic cylinder. If the storage container is above the filling funnel and the flap is opened, particulate material flows out of the Place the storage container in the filling funnel until a cone of material appears at the transition from the storage container to the filling funnel and the flow of particulate material is stopped. If the sand flap is then activated, it separates the pouring cone and closes the storage container. The filling funnel is then filled evenly over its entire width.

The particle material in the filling hopper is fed to the coater during the coating run. This is done either passively by simply draining it or actively e.g. through a rotary valve at the lower end of the filling funnel. There are various designs for the coater. One possible embodiment comprises a roller which extends obliquely transversely to the coating direction and is operated in the opposite direction to the coating direction. A more advantageous embodiment comprises a gap coater, which in turn is constructed from an elongated container which can hold particulate material. The container is suspended in such a way that it can oscillate around the longitudinal axis and is made to oscillate by a drive. In the lower area of the container there is a slot-shaped outlet opening for the particulate material, which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The opening can either be directed downwards towards the construction site or laterally towards the construction site. Particulate matter then flows onto the construction field in vibration mode.

In addition to the closure mechanisms of the storage container, there are advantageous devices for suctioning off any dust that may be generated, which is formed by the filling movement of the particulate material in the filling funnel. Such a device can consist of a slotted tube, which is subjected to negative pressure, for example via a suction device. Floating or slowly sinking particles in the installation space atmosphere are extracted by the vacuum. Such a tube is preferably guided along the width of each of the two storage containers. The coater, whose filling funnel is being filled, is preferably located above a discharge funnel. The discharge funnel is a container that is located below the construction level to the side of the construction site and has an opening in the construction level that is at least as wide as the construction site, but preferably a little wider. The discharge funnel takes up excess particulate material that is in front of the coater, for example after a coating run. Particulate material also ends up in the discharge funnel, which escapes from the two containers when the coater or the filling funnel is being filled, or which may be scraped off after filling.

In the device according to the disclosure, two discharge funnels can be arranged on both longitudinal sides of the construction field. Such a dropping funnel can have a funnel-like shape that facilitates emptying. The particulate material can be brought together at the lowest point of the funnel in such a way that it can easily be transported away via a pneumatic conveyor device or a screw conveyor or a screw conveyor.

In addition to the two openings for the discharge funnel, there are two further openings on the left and right on the building level. These are designed so that on the one hand a cleaning station for the coater and on the other hand a cleaning station for the print head can be accommodated in them. Since particle material can escape from the coater when cleaning the coater and this could negatively affect the cleaning process of the print head, it makes sense to separate both functions spatially. This also makes it easier to use different cleaning media. For example, the coaters can be cleaned dry using directed compressed air or brushes that are guided along or across the coater. Other cleaning mechanisms such as a wiping unit with a moist carrier medium or a scraper are also conceivable. In all cases, the Cleaning device can be carried out passively or actively. Passive means that a relative movement between the cleaning medium and the coater takes place through active movement of the coater. Active means that the coater is stationary and the cleaning device moves relative to the coater. Combinations of passive and active cleaning or different cleaning mechanisms are also conceivable.

The print head, on the other hand, can be cleaned using a liquid cleaning medium that e.g. is guided along the dosing side of the print head via a brush, a wiper lip, an absorbent wiper lip, a sponge roller. In both cleaning cases it makes sense to arrange the cleaning devices on the outside so that the devices can be kept easily accessible for the operator. Access is necessary to check the function of the cleaning devices and to carry out regular maintenance and cleaning.

The printhead itself consists of a large number of print modules that have a limited number of nozzles. After the corresponding electrical signal has been applied, such pressure modules usually eject individual droplets of a liquid binder from their nozzles with the aid of piezo actuators. The nozzles usually have a diameter of 10-100 μm. The print modules are used either individually or in smaller groups in a so-called print head carrier. It must be ensured that the print modules in the print head carrier are aligned with one another in such a way that the nozzles of all modules have the same distance as possible across the printing direction. In the embodiment according to the invention, the print head carrier extends over the entire length of the construction field and a small distance beyond it. This distance is used to be able to move the print head transversely to the printing direction by a certain amount after each pass. The shift is used to prevent faulty nozzles from being superimposed when printing several layers. The print head carrier has suitable receptacles for the print modules and is designed in such a way that it can carry the weight of the modules and at least its own weight in such a way that the sag of the print head over its length is only a few tenths of a millimeter. The distance between the print head and the construction field is usually 1-8 mm, more preferably 2-5 mm. So that the print image to be generated on the construction field corresponds as closely as possible to the data model, this distance must be as equal as possible at every position of the construction field.

A tank system is located above the print head carrier with the print modules to supply the print modules with binder fluid. In addition, there are circuit boards to supply the pressure modules with the necessary electrical signals.

In the preferred embodiment, the print head carrier is designed in such a way that it carries all attachments and has means for positioning and fixing in the system on the two end faces. The system itself in turn has the appropriate counterparts and also a device for moving the print head transversely to the printing direction. This facility consists e.g. from a threaded spindle drive on one side of the printhead mount and a displaceable bearing on the opposite side. The threaded spindle drive is operated by a servomotor with a flange-mounted rotary encoder.

In order to generate the printhead signals with precise positioning, the tray has a linear scale which is, for example, parallel to one of the two guide systems for moving the process unit. The probe head of this linear scale is attached to one of the coupling points on the linear axes and emits its signals when the process unit moves. The modules of the print head are activated in response to these signals. This ensures that the desired print image is correctly deposited over the construction field regardless of the travel speed of the process unit.

The system or arrangement has a construction container, preferably an exchangeable job box with a construction platform located therein. A job box is essentially a frame designed to prevent particulate matter from flowing off the build platform. Accordingly, the construction platform has a circumferential seal to the job box wall. The job box including the build platform must be designed so that it can support the weight of the particulate material after a full job. Depending on the construction volume and material, this can be several hundred kilograms. Another requirement is that no or at least very little particulate material flows down through between the job box wall and the construction platform, even if the construction platform moves downwards during the construction job.

In order to shorten the set-up time between the construction jobs, the system according to the invention, according to a preferred embodiment, has a change job box system. This means that job boxes of the same type can alternately be moved in and out of the system. So that this takes place without operator interaction, the job boxes are transported into the system from a conveyor device located in front of the system by means of a so-called intake system. A suitable pull-in system, which also enables the job box to be extended, is a chain conveyor system in the system that preferably engages on both sides of the job box and pulls the box into and out of the system via guide rollers attached to the side on rails . It is obvious that other principles such as pneumatic cylinders, driven rollers and the like are also suitable for solving this problem. The conveyor system in front of the system, which picks up the job box outside, can, for example, have a driven roller conveyor on which the job box stands and which enables this box to be safely moved in and out of the system.

This conveyor system can be statically mounted in front of the system, but it can also be a self-propelled transport system. The latter has the main advantage that the space in front of the system is only blocked during the discharge cycles.

The following paragraph briefly describes the mode of operation of the arrangement according to the invention.

In principle, the type of system described is suitable for all materials that can be processed with the binder jetting process. These are, for example, molding sands, plastic materials, ceramic powder and metals. Furthermore, the system can also be designed in such a way that so-called high-speed sintering can be carried out. In this case, the system has a suitable construction site heating system and other facilities for sintering the particulate material.

The plant can be operated with different binder systems. These can be two or one component binder systems. Without loss of generality, e.g. Furan resins, phenolic resins, acrylic resins, epoxies and inorganic binders such as e.g. Water glass as a binder. However, other binders in solid form can also be mixed into the powder and activated by means of a liquid. This includes e.g. hydraulically setting binders such as cements that are printed with aqueous solutions. But also other substances such as starch, sugar and the like can cause a bond in the particle material. Other bonds are made possible by the at least superficial loosening of the particle materials. For this purpose e.g. certain alcohols or other solvents.

In the preferred case, the plant is made with molding sand and typical foundries Binders operated as furan resin and water glass.

To do this, the system is filled with the particulate material. The binder supply is filled with the appropriate binder and the cleaning systems are filled with the appropriate cleaner.

The process unit first moves into the coater cleaning position. Both coaters are cleaned automatically there. Then the process unit moves to the printhead cleaning position. A cleaning cycle for the print head is carried out there. This can include several so-called purges or rinsing processes, wiping processes with cleaning fluid and so-called spitting processes. Purge is understood to mean the process in which the print head binder reservoir is subjected to excess pressure in such a way that binder exits to the nozzles. Spitting is understood to mean the entire control of all nozzles of the print head for a specific number of drop generation.

An empty job box is then fed to the system. This is drawn into the system. The Z-axis automatically couples the construction platform with the coupling provided and pushes the construction platform into the top position. Then the process unit moves to a filling position. There the storage container fills the respective filling funnel.

Now we move the process unit over the construction field, releasing particulate material, until it comes to a standstill again in the opposite filling position. Here the other filling hopper is filled through the corresponding storage container and the coating process is repeated. In this way, the so-called start layer is created by driving over the construction area several times without printing. This can consist of several layers and solves various aspects. On the one hand, a building level independent of the position of the building platform is generated. On the other hand, the system and the construction field are brought to process temperature brought. Once this process has been completed, the actual printing process can begin. For this, the data to be printed are necessary in the form of individual bitmaps for the layers to be printed. Usually, the 3D data of the components is broken down into individual layers and this data is converted into bitmaps before the print job is started on a preparation computer.

The process unit now moves from one filling position to the other and thereby deposits completely processed layers. This means that the construction platform is lowered by one layer each, then the process unit prints the previous layer with binder, then applies a new layer of particulate material and treats the layer e.g. with IR radiation.

During the build-up of layers, the application units such as the coater and print head are cleaned at regular intervals.

After completing the last shift, the construction platform can be lowered in the job box and the job box can then be transported out of the system. Under certain circumstances, the completed print job is subjected to further post-processing such as thermal hardening outside the system.

Further configurations according to the disclosure are shown below:

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to an arrangement for building up molded parts in layers from a particulate material, comprising at least one process unit that can be fed to the arrangement and installed, which has a printing unit and a coater system and an adjustment device for offline preparation of the process unit. In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to an arrangement for building up molded parts in layers from a particulate material, comprising at least one process unit that can be fed to the arrangement and installed, which has a printing unit and a coater system and a digital, line camera or an IR camera that can be moved with the process unit Measurement of the construction field temperature and / or the print image.

An arrangement according to the disclosure can preferably be characterized in that it has a receptacle for a building container, which has a preferably automatic retraction for the building container.

An arrangement according to the disclosure can preferably be characterized in that the application system has a dynamic filling system.

An arrangement according to the disclosure can preferably be characterized in that the arrangement has an air conditioner, preferably with a control and / or process unit being connected to the air conditioner.

An arrangement according to the disclosure can preferably be characterized in that a line sensor is provided in an area between the coating unit and the printing unit.

An arrangement according to the disclosure can preferably be characterized in that the line sensor is connected to a further process and / or control unit.

An arrangement according to the disclosure can preferably be characterized in that the arrangement has one bi-directional coater or two coaters, one coater being provided for each coating direction. An arrangement according to the disclosure can preferably be characterized in that a print head is arranged between two coaters or a print head is arranged or attached on both sides of a bi-directional coater.

An arrangement according to the disclosure can preferably be characterized in that a digital, line camera or an IR camera is arranged to the side of the coater and print head unit.

An arrangement according to the disclosure can preferably be characterized in that in each case a digital, line camera or an IR camera is attached in the forwards or backwards direction of travel.

Detailed description of the drawings

The invention is described below with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

An example of an overall machine or overall plant according to the disclosure is e.g. described in Fig. 1.

Essential components of the 3D printing system on which the disclosure is based are:

• The machine frame (1.1)

• the Z-axis (1.2)

• the building container (1.3)

• the travel axis (1.4)

• the process unit (1.5)

• the housing (1.6)

• the air conditioners (1.7)

• the suction (1.10) Some exemplary components and the interaction of the components according to the disclosure are described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 1-8.

Examples of process units, adjustment devices, a coater and a storage container according to the disclosure are shown in FIGS. 2 and 7.

For the fully automatic construction operation, it is advantageous to equip the process unit (see FIG. 2) with a coater (2.2, 7.7), which enables construction operation for several shifts.

So that the coaters (2.7, 7.7) can be filled, they are equipped with suitable filling funnels (7.11), suitable in the present case means that a funnel is arranged when filling via the storage container (7.11) due to the actual distance and the bulk material cone that forms that can absorb the excess particulate material that overflows from the reservoir. In the present case, the particulate material (7.8) is fed in via horizontally aligned chain conveyor systems. Since dust typically also arises during filling, the system was equipped with a preferably horizontal raw system directly at the filling point, which serves as an extraction system (7.10). For this purpose, the pipes were provided with openings (7.9) such as bores or slots on the side at the appropriate point. The suction flow can be trimmed accordingly using suitable locking systems (7.13).

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary job box draw-in (construction container draw-in) according to the disclosure.

In order to achieve the high level of automation already described several times, a job box feeder had to be designed that would work with the System interlinking (roller conveyor segment, 8.9) can interact. For this purpose, the pressure system was equipped with traction means (8.5) which pull the construction container into the machine via the drivers (8.7, 8.8). By changing the direction of rotation of the drives (8.6), the drivers on the traction device come to rest on the other side of the respective building container driver and can thus move the box in the other direction. So that the box experiences a better transition from the system linkage, roller conveyor (8.9) to the 3D printing system, the system was equipped with support rollers (8.4). These support rollers are preferably free-running so that they can easily adapt to the speed of the traction means as well as to the speed of the roller conveyor (8.9).

An exemplary IR camera in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. Since the thermal management makes an important contribution to component quality in the present process, the present system was equipped with an IR camera system (1.8), which enables continuous observation of the construction field temperature (1.9).

In FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of an adjustment device according to the disclosure for offline preparation of the process unit is described.

In order to minimize machine downtimes in production, it is therefore advisable to adjust the process unit offline in a specially developed device. For this purpose, a device with an integrated measuring device was developed, which allows the process unit with its quick-release fastener (4.3) to be set up, measured and, if necessary, readjusted in an installation situation that follows the machine (Fig. 1). For this purpose, the device was equipped with suitable guide elements (4.4), preferably with a flatness of +/- 0.02mm over the entire travel range, preferably approx. Im x 1.5m, in order to move the measuring head (4.5) along the process unit in X and Y move. In order to be able to approach the measuring positions reproducibly The guide elements (4.4) have integrated position measuring systems that can be visualized on the control panel (4.7). A measuring head is preferred

(4.5) is used with an electronic signal output, so that the measurement data can be visualized on the control panel and can be automatically entered in a log. Furthermore, the device has a parking position which has a print head lock (4.6) which prevents the print head (2.6, 3.6) from drying out.

5 shows an exemplary transport box with permanent printhead humidification according to the disclosure.

Since the process unit (5.2) is a highly sensitive and also cost-intensive assembly, a device was developed that enables the process unit (5.2) to be stored with a fully equipped print head prepared for immediate use by the 3D printer, i.e. filled with to keep the print medium ready for operation for several days. Transport box consisting of base frame (5.1) with pressure head lock

(5.6) and shockproof cover (5.4). The quick-release fasteners (5.3) are used for the clear positioning of the process unit (5.2) as in the 3D printer.

6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a removal aid for damage-free removal / installation of the process unit according to the disclosure. Since the present 3D printing system is designed for a high level of process automation and consequently several of these systems will operate in conjunction with a fully automatic chain, it can be useful that the process units are transported to and from the systems with a universal hoist (6.5) and in or be lifted out of the systems. So that the highly sensitive process unit (6.2) is not damaged in the process, a device was developed that ensures guided removal (6.6) from the system and all-round protection after removal. In the present case, a purely mechanical solution (6.7) was chosen, but one would also be conceivable. fully automatic solution that can interact with the respective machine control.

1-3 further describe an exemplary process unit according to the disclosure.

In order to meet the requirements for high availability and the associated reduced maintenance time, the present 3D printing system was designed with a quick-change system for print head (2.6, 3.6), horizontal offset (3.8), coater (2.2, 3.2), IR emitter ( 2.4, 3.4) and other relevant components. For this purpose, the relevant components were combined in a highly integrated and self-supporting process unit. Equipped with a quick-release system (3.10) for attaching the process unit to the travel axis (1.4) and quick-release fasteners for all media (electricity, air, binder, etc.), a compact unit was created that can be integrated into the 3D printing system in the shortest possible time, according to requirements can be installed or removed. Another advantage of the present solution is the multiple usability, since, as explained elsewhere, a 3D printing system network is to be set up, the process unit can be used in every 3D printing system belonging to the network. This is also made possible by the offline adjustment of the process unit in the adjustment device described below (see also FIG. 4). The process unit essentially consists of the front mounting plates (3.1) with the quick-release system (3.10) attached to them and the combination of: full-width and inherently rigid print head (2.6 and 3.6) with horizontal offset (3.8), coater unit (2.2, 3.2) and IR radiator (2.4, 3.4) with water cooling (2.5, 3.5). The inherently rigid print head construction also enables the print head (2.6, 3.6) to be changed quickly. The system is supplemented by the line camera (2.7, 3.7) for in-situ print image capture and the coater seal (2.3, 3.3), in the present case as a vacuum seal (2.3, 3.3) designed for the To be able to guarantee the greatest possible service life with a large number of cycles with minimal wear.

An exemplary line camera inspection means according to the disclosure is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

A major disadvantage of the systems available on the market is that the print result only becomes visible at the end of the complete print, i.e. when the construction container is unpacked. Since this can sometimes take several hours, a lot of valuable time goes by. Known systems already use common camera systems to inspect the print image after completion of the respective layer (e.g. VUT, REVIEW OF AN ACTIVE RE-COATER MONITORING SYSTEM FOR POWDER BED FUSION SYSTEMS).

Due to the bidirectional mode of operation, this technology cannot be used in the present machine and an adapted system had to be developed that can be mounted between the print head and the coater and thus enables an in-situ inspection of the print image even with the bidirectional mode of operation. For this purpose, a line camera (2.7, 3.7) was integrated between the print head (2.6, 3.6), right and left coater (2.2, 3.2) and then equipped with specially adapted software, which then compares the real print image with the target image and thus informs the operator at an early stage Can indicate faults in the process. The operator can then decide whether to interrupt the print or let it run to the end.

List of reference symbols

Fig. 1

1.1 Machine frame (1)

1.2 Z-axis (2)

1.3 Construction container / job box (3)

1.4 Travel axis (4)

1.5 process unit (5)

1.6 Housing (6)

1.7 Air conditioner (s) (7)

1.8 IR camera (infrared camera) (8)

1.9 Construction field (9)

1.10 suction (10)

1.11 storage container (11)

Fig. 2

2.1 Mounting plate (1)

2.2 Coater unit (2)

2.3 Vacuum seal (3)

2.4 IR radiators (infrared radiators) (4)

2.5 Water cooling IR (water cooling infrared) (5)

2.6 print head (6)

2.7 line scan camera (7)

Fig. 3

3.1 Mounting plate (1)

3.2 Coater unit (2)

3.3 Vacuum seal (3)

3.4 IR radiators (4)

3.5 IR water cooling (5) 3.6 print head (6)

3.7 Line scan camera (7)

3.8 Horizontal offset (8)

3.9 Horizontal offset drive (9)

3.10 quick release system (10)

4.1 Base frame (1)

4.2 Process unit (2)

4.3 Quick release (3)

4.4 X-Y guide system (4)

4.5 Measuring device (dial gauge) (5)

4.6 Printhead lock (6)

4.7 Control panel with display of the measured values (7) Fig. 5

5.1 Base frame (1)

5.2 Process unit (2)

5.3 Quick release fastener (3)

5.4 Cover (4)

5.5 Lock (5)

5.6 Printhead lock (6)

Fig. 6

6.1 Base frame (1)

6.2 Process unit (2)

6.3 Quick release fastener (3)

6.4 Cover (4)

6.5 Removal aid (5)

6.6 Guide element (6)

6.7 Transport lock (7)

Fig. 7

7.1 Coater hopper (1) 7.2 Coater (2)

7.3 Vacuum seal (3)

7.4 IR radiator (4)

7.5 IR water cooling (5)

7.6 printhead (6)

7.7 Line scan camera (7)

7.8 Particle material feed (8)

7.9 Extraction opening (9)

7.10 suction (10)

7.11 Document container (11)

7.12 Document container closure (12)

7.13 Suction closure (13)

Fig. 8

8.1 Machine frame (1)

8.2 Z-axis (2)

8.3 Construction container (3)

8.4 Support rollers (4)

8.5 Traction means (5)

8.6 Infeed drive (6)

8.7 Driver traction device (7)

8.8 Construction container carrier (8)

8.9 Roller conveyor segment (9)

Claims

1. An arrangement for building up molded parts in layers from a particulate material, comprising at least one process unit which can be fed to the arrangement and can be installed, which has a printing unit and a coater system and an adjustment device for offline preparation of the process unit.

2. Arrangement for the layer-by-layer construction of molded parts from a particulate material, comprising at least one process unit that can be fed to and installed in the arrangement, a printing unit and a coater system and a digital, line camera or an IR camera that can be moved with the process unit for measuring the construction field temperature and / or the Print image.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, with a receptacle for a building container, which has a preferably automatic feed for the building container.

4. Arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the application system has a dynamic filling system.

5. Arrangement according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the arrangement has an air conditioner, preferably wherein a control and process unit are connected to the air conditioner.

6. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a line sensor is provided in an area between the coating unit and the printing unit.

7. Arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the line sensor is connected to a further process and control unit.

8. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the arrangement has a bi-directional coater or two coaters, wherein one coater is provided for each coating direction.

9. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a print head is arranged between two coaters or a print head is attached to both sides of a bi-directional coater.

10. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in each case a digital, line camera or an IR camera is arranged to the side of the unit coater and print head.

11. The arrangement according to claim 10, wherein in each case a digital, line camera or an IR camera is attached in the forward or backward direction of travel.

IP To The ^Peak®