Apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects
阅读说明:本技术 用于增材制造三维物体的设备 (Apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects ) 是由 克里斯托弗·维尔林 于 2020-04-01 设计创作,主要内容包括:一种用于通过连续分层选择性照射和固结构建材料(3)的层来增材制造三维物体(2)的设备(1),构建材料(3)的层可以通过能量源被固结,设备(1)包括适于在构建平面(6)中施加构建材料(3)的施加装置(5),其特征在于,具有驱动装置(12),驱动装置(12)具有在x-z平面中能够旋转或旋转的至少一个环形周向驱动元件(13),x-z平面由基本上在施加方向上延伸的x方向和基本上垂直于x方向的z方向限定,其中,至少一个施加元件(17-22)连接到驱动元件(13)。(An apparatus (1) for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object (2) by successively layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of build material (3), the layers of build material (3) being consolidated by an energy source, the apparatus (1) comprising an application device (5) adapted to apply the build material (3) in a build plane (6), characterized by a drive device (12), the drive device (12) having at least one annular circumferential drive element (13) rotatable or swivellable in an x-z plane, the x-z plane being defined by an x-direction extending substantially in an application direction and a z-direction substantially perpendicular to the x-direction, wherein the at least one application element (17-22) is connected to the drive element (13).)
1. An apparatus (1) for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object (2) by successively layerwise selective irradiation and solidification of layers of a build material (3), the layers of the build material (3) being solidifiable by an energy source, the apparatus (1) comprising an application device (5) adapted to apply the build material (3) in a build plane (6), characterized by a drive device (12), the drive device (12) having at least one annular circumferential drive element (13) rotatable or swivellable in an x-z plane defined by an x-direction extending substantially in an application direction and a z-direction substantially perpendicular to the x-direction, wherein at least one application element (17-22) is connected to the drive element (13).
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive means (12) are adapted to drive the at least one drive element (13) linearly.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive means (12) are adapted to rotate the at least one drive element (13) in the application direction.
4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application device (5) comprises at least two application elements (17-22) connected to the at least one drive element (13), wherein the at least two application elements (17-22) are arranged in series.
5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two application elements (17-22) connected to the at least one drive element (13) are adapted to continuously transfer building material (3) from a common dosage plane (10) to a common building plane (6).
6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two application elements (17-22) are arranged at a defined distance (23) along the drive element (13), in particular the distance (23) between at least two application elements (17-22) is equal.
7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (23) or the number of application elements (17-22) is defined as a function of at least one parameter relating to the irradiation time and/or the process gas parameter and/or the swirling of the build material (3) in the process plane (16).
8. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device (12) is adapted to adjust the speed at which the at least one drive element (13) is driven as a function of at least one processing parameter, in particular the irradiation time and/or the amount of building material (3) that needs to be applied in the building plane (6).
9. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one drive element (13) is arranged to rotate or be rotatable in the x-z plane above or around the build chamber of the build module (8) and/or the dosing chamber of the dosing module (7) and/or the overflow chamber of the overflow module (9).
10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one deflection element (25) adapted to deflect the at least one drive element (13), in particular at least four deflection elements (25) adapted to deflect the at least one drive element (13) in two corners of the dosing module (7) and/or the building module (8) and/or the overflow module (9).
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object by successive layered selective irradiation and consolidation of a layer of build material that can be consolidated by an energy source, the apparatus comprising application means adapted to apply build material in a build plane.
Background
Apparatuses are generally known from the prior art in which build material is applied in layers in a build plane to be selectively consolidated, for example, upon irradiation with a corresponding energy source (e.g., a laser beam or an electron beam). Build material is typically applied in a build plane by an application element of an application device moving relative to the build plane, wherein the application element picks up build material in a first region of the apparatus, e.g. from a dose plane, and transfers the build material to a second region, e.g. the build plane. An application element (e.g., a rake or coating blade) uniformly distributes the build material in the build plane.
Furthermore, it is known from the prior art that after the application element distributes the building material in the building plane, the application element has to be moved back to an initial position, for example, beside the first area where the application element picks up the building material. The application element is moved back to the initial position, which takes time during which the additive manufacturing process cannot be performed, in particular during which time the building material cannot be irradiated in the building plane, because the application element has to pass the building plane on its way back to the initial position. Thus, a downtime of the irradiation means of the apparatus is necessary, since the build material already applied in the build plane cannot be immediately irradiated, since the application element has to be moved over the build plane to reach the initial position.
In addition, the movement of the application element back to the initial position cannot be performed at any speed, since (powdered) build material already applied in the build plane may be influenced by the application element, e.g. in case the application element moves too fast over the build plane, the build material may be stirred up.
Disclosure of Invention
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, wherein the application of build material is improved, in particular wherein the downtime of the apparatus may be reduced.
The object of the invention is achieved by a device according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are subject to the dependent claims.
The apparatus described herein is an apparatus for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object (e.g., a technical component) by successive selective layup consolidation of layers of powdered build material ("build material"), which layers of build material may be consolidated by an energy source (e.g., an energy beam, in particular, a laser beam or an electron beam). The corresponding build material may be a metal, ceramic or polymer powder. The respective energy beam may be a laser beam or an electron beam. For example, the respective device may be a selective laser sintering device, a selective laser melting device or a selective electron beam melting device. Alternatively, continuous layered selective consolidation of the build material may be performed via at least one bonding material. The bonding material may be applied with a corresponding application unit and irradiated, for example with a suitable energy source (e.g. an ultraviolet light source).
The device may contain a plurality of functional units for use during its operation. Exemplary functional units are a process chamber, an illumination device adapted to selectively illuminate a layer of build material disposed in the process chamber with at least one energy beam, and a flow generating device adapted to generate a flow of gaseous fluid that at least partially flows through the process chamber with a given flow characteristic (e.g., a given flow profile, flow rate, etc.). The gaseous fluid stream can be charged with unconsolidated particulate build material (particularly fumes or fume residue generated during operation of the apparatus) while flowing through the process chamber. The gaseous fluid stream is generally inert, i.e., is generally a stream of an inert gas (e.g., argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.).
The apparatus of the present invention further comprises an application device with which the build material is applied to the build plane, as previously described, to be selectively consolidated, for example, upon irradiation with a corresponding energy source. The invention is based on the idea that the drive means of the device comprise at least one annular circumferential drive element which is rotatable or swivellable in a plane which is defined by an x-direction extending substantially in the application direction and a z-direction substantially perpendicular to the x-direction, wherein the at least one application element is connected to the drive element. According to the present invention, at least one application element connected to at least one drive element is moved in a driven movement in an x and z plane, wherein the term "x-direction" refers to a direction substantially parallel to the build plane, e.g. pointing in the application direction in which the build material is applied. The term "z-direction" refers to a direction substantially perpendicular to the build plane, e.g., the build direction in which objects are built in successive layers.
Thus, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to move at least one application element in the same way (in the opposite direction) back to an initial position, on the path of which the application element is moved to convey building material to (and distribute building material in) the building plane. Instead, at least one application element is rotated in the x-z plane and reaches the initial position again at the end of the rotational movement. The drive element is an annular circumferential drive element, for example a belt guided in the x-z plane, which carries an application element connected to the drive element. Since the drive element is annularly circumferential, the starting or ending point of the rotational movement, for example the initial position of the application element, can be chosen arbitrarily.
In other words, the drive element by which the application element is connected is guided from an initial position through (or along) the build plane and then rotated back to the initial position. Thus, the movement of the at least one application element and the drive element describes a closed loop in the x-z plane, wherein the loop is arranged with at least one portion of the loop in the application direction (at least substantially parallel to the build plane). Thus, the drive elements are arranged in a closed (annular circumferential) ring in the x-z plane. Due to the movement of the drive element, the at least one application element also moves along the ring in the x-z plane.
For example, the drive element and the application element may be rotatable around a build module in which a carrier element is arranged, the carrier element carrying a powder bed (comprising the additively built object and unconsolidated build material around the additively built object). The device may in particular comprise a dosage module, a build module and an overflow module, wherein the drive element is preferably rotatable or rotatable around all three modules, wherein the build material is picked up via at least one application element in a dosage plane provided by the dosage module. Build material picked from the dose plane is then transferred to and distributed in the build plane. Excess build material is further conveyed to an overflow module, where the excess build material is depleted in an overflow opening that receives the excess build material. After having passed the overflow module, the drive element and the application element are rotated or swiveled around the assembly of dosage module, building module and overflow module, wherein at the end of the swiveling movement the application element returns to an initial position, for example beside the dosage plane.
Thus, there are typically two options available for moving the at least one application element back to the initial position, wherein in a first alternative the drive element is rotated above the build plane, i.e. the ring is arranged above the build plane, and according to a second alternative the drive element is rotated around the build plane, i.e. the ring surrounds or extends around the build plane, wherein the part of the ring that moves the application element back to the initial position is arranged below the build plane.
The drive means may be adapted to linearly drive the at least one drive element. Thus, at least one application element connected to at least one drive element is driven to move linearly relative to the building plane. Thus, the at least one drive element is driven to move linearly relative to at least one side of the building block comprising the building plane. Since the at least one drive element may rotate around the building block in a linear movement, preferably the drive element is also driven linearly along at least one other side of the building block, in particular a wall portion.
Thus, the movement performed by the application element when it applies the build material is a linear movement rather than a rotational movement. In particular, the movement of the drive element and the at least one application element may be composed of a plurality of sections, wherein the sections may extend in different directions. The drive element and the application element are linearly movable in all sections, wherein a rotational movement of the drive element and the application element is possible, in particular in the transition between the two sections.
The drive means may further be adapted to rotate the at least one drive element in the application direction. Thus, the at least one drive element may be rotatable or rotatable in the x-z plane, wherein the direction of the rotational movement points in the application direction. As previously mentioned, the term "application direction" refers to the x-direction, i.e. the direction in which at least one application element moves to transport build material to and distribute build material within the build plane. Preferably, the direction of rotation of the rotational movement is exclusively directed in the x-direction or the application direction, respectively. Of course, the rotational movement may comprise a section in which the drive element is driven in the opposite direction of the application direction or relative to the application direction, but the direction of rotation of the rotational movement is preferably always directed in the application direction. The term "pointing in the application direction" in relation to the rotational movement is to be understood as meaning an application direction which extends tangentially or parallel to at least one section of the drive element which is driven in the rotational or swiveling movement, in particular in the region of the building plane. Thus, the ring in which the drive element is arranged rotates in the application direction.
According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the application means comprise at least two application elements which are connected to at least one drive element, wherein the at least two application elements are arranged in series. Thus, not only one application element is connected to the drive element, but the application device comprises at least two application elements which are connected to the drive element or to at least one drive element, respectively. Due to the driven movement of the drive elements, application elements connected to the drive elements are also driven together with the drive elements, wherein each application element is adapted to transport and distribute the build material in the build plane.
The use of more than one application element reduces the time required to bring one of the (separate) application elements back to the initial position. After the first application element has depleted build material in the build plane, the at least one second application element may have reached an initial position to pick up build material. It is therefore not necessary to wait for the first application member to reach the initial position. Of course, a plurality of application elements may be connected to the drive element, wherein the build material may be transported via the application elements connected in series. The use of more than one application element further reduces the wear of each individual application element, since the number of application steps (the number of times each application element applies build material in the build plane) is reduced by dividing the application steps over all the application elements used. Thus, the maintenance intervals normally required due to wear of the application elements can be significantly extended.
Furthermore, the at least two application elements connected to the at least one drive element may be adapted to continuously transfer build material from a common dose plane to a common build plane. Thus, all application elements assigned to the same drive element use the same, in particular common, dose plane, from which the build material is picked up and to which the build material is transferred. When at least two application elements connected to the same drive element successively pass the dose plane and the build plane, the second application element may transfer the build material to the build plane before the first application element reaches the initial position again.
Thus, after the first application element applies the build material in the build plane, an irradiation step may be performed to selectively consolidate the layer of build material previously applied in the build plane by the first application element. Subsequently, the second application element may apply a second layer of building material in the building plane, and then the further application element or the first application element may apply a further layer of building material in the building plane, wherein the second layer of building material may be irradiated after the second application element has passed the corresponding area of the building plane. Of course, any number of different application elements may be provided, wherein between the application steps performed by two different application elements, an irradiation treatment may be performed, as previously described. Of course, it is also possible to use only one application element, wherein the irradiation step can be carried out immediately after a single application element has passed the build plane, without waiting for the application element to reach the initial position.
Preferably, after one application element has passed the building plane or reached the end of the building plane in the application direction, respectively, a following application element may be arranged in a "preparation position" in which the following application element has picked up the building material and is located beside the building plane, ready for applying the building material in the building plane. In particular, the number of application elements may depend on the size of the building plane. Thus, since a number of application elements are connected to the drive element, it is ensured that a following application element is arranged in the ready position if the preceding application element passes through the build plane.
According to a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the at least two application elements may be arranged at a defined distance along the drive element, in particular the distance between the at least two application elements is equal. Thus, preferably, the equidistant arrangement of the application elements on the drive element can be adjusted. Thus, as described above, the additive manufacturing process may be performed more efficiently since the build material may be irradiated after the application element has completed applying the build material in the build plane. Thus, the time required to move the application elements back to the initial position is not wasted, since each application element moves back to the initial position in a rotational movement in which the application element does not have to pass through the build plane.
The distance or number of application elements may be defined in accordance with at least one parameter related to the irradiation time and/or the process gas parameters and/or the swirling of the build material in the process plane of the apparatus. As previously mentioned, in addition to the dimensions of the building plane, the number of application elements connected to and with the drive element, the distance between at least two application elements connected to the drive element may be defined depending on at least one parameter. The at least one parameter may relate to an irradiation time required to irradiate the layer of build material. Thus, the build material may be irradiated between the two application steps, in particular after new build material has been applied in the part of the build plane that has to be irradiated. The at least one parameter may further relate to a process gas parameter, for example, a flow velocity of the process gas within the process chamber and/or a swirling of the build material in the process plane. It is desirable to avoid spinning of the build material as it may negatively impact processing quality.
Furthermore, the speed at which the drive element and the application element are moved relative to the building plane may also be incorporated into the calculation or may also influence the application of the building material. Preferably, the drive means may be adapted to adjust the speed at which the at least one drive element is driven in dependence on at least one processing parameter, in particular the irradiation time and/or the amount of build material that needs to be applied in the build plane. Thus, the drive means may be adapted to adjust the speed at which the at least one drive element is driven, depending on the illumination mode, i.e. the illumination time required to properly illuminate the build material of the current layer. Thus, if a defined irradiation time is required, the at least one drive element, and hence the at least one application element, is driven at a defined speed to allow the corresponding layer of build material to be selectively irradiated. The driving element may also be stopped if the irradiating step is not completed and the movement of the driving element may be continued after the irradiating step is completed.
Thus, the drive element may be moved according to the time required to irradiate the build material in the build plane, wherein the additive manufacturing process may be performed more efficiently, as the application of build material may be adapted to the time required to irradiate the build material. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one application element may also be engaged and/or disengaged from the at least one drive element. Thus, the at least one application element can be disengaged from the drive element with which the application element is moved in the application direction. For example, the drive element may be moved at a constant speed in the application direction, wherein the application elements may be stopped and disengaged from the drive element, for example, if the irradiation step requires a defined irradiation time longer than the time at least one application element needs to be moved to the build plane. After the irradiation step is completed, the application element may be engaged again with the drive element.
The at least one drive element may be arranged to rotate or be rotatable in the x-z plane, above or around the build chamber and/or the dose chamber and/or the overflow chamber. As previously mentioned, the drive element may be rotatable around all three modules, or may be rotatable in the x-z plane above the three modules, wherein the build material is picked up in the dose plane provided by the dose module by the at least one application element. The build material picked from the dose plane is then transferred to and distributed in the build plane provided by the build module. Excess build material is further conveyed to an overflow module, where the excess build material is depleted in an overflow opening that receives the excess build material. After having passed the overflow module, the drive element and the application element are rotated or swiveled around the assembly of dosage module, building module and overflow module, wherein at the end of the swiveling movement the application element returns to an initial position, for example beside the dosage plane.
According to a further embodiment of the device, at least one deflection element adapted to deflect the at least one drive element may be provided, in particular at least four deflection elements adapted to deflect the at least one drive element in two corners of the dosing module and the building module or the overflow module. For example, the drive element may be guided around two deflection elements arranged above a processing plane of the apparatus, wherein the application element rotates together with the drive element around the two deflection elements in the x-z plane. It is also possible to have more than two deflection elements, for example three deflection elements guiding the drive element in a triangle. However, the deflection element is arranged in the transition between the two parts of the movement path of the drive element. The deflection element thus deflects the drive element between the two parts, wherein the direction of movement is changed via the deflection element.
According to a preferred embodiment, four deflecting elements are provided, which are arranged in two corners of the dosing module and/or two corners of the building module and/or two corners of the overflow module, respectively. Thus, in both corners of the dosing module and in both corners of the building module or overflow module, one deflecting element may be arranged, essentially constituting a rectangle. Within the scope of the present application, the term "in a corner" refers to a deflection of the drive element in the region of the corner of the respective module. Thus, the deflecting elements do not have to be arranged exactly in the corners of the respective module. Alternatively, the deflecting elements may be arranged within a defined distance to the corresponding corner.
The at least one drive element may be configured as or comprise at least one belt element, in particular a toothed belt. The respective belt can be tensioned by arranging or positioning the aforementioned deflection element, wherein in particular the deflection element can be driven to drive the drive element. For example, one or more deflecting elements may be connected to a respective drive mechanism, such as a motor.
The at least one drive element may further comprise a plurality of, preferably four drive element portions arranged around or above the building block, preferably forming a rectangle, wherein one drive element portion extends substantially parallel to the building plane. Thus, the drive elements arranged in the x-z plane can be deflected by four deflection elements to form a rectangle. A part of the movement path or a part of the drive element extends substantially parallel to the building plane (in x-direction). Of course, the drive element rotates and moves relative to the build plane, wherein the term "part of the drive element" refers to a part of the movement path through which the drive element moves.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to an application apparatus for a device, in particular for a device of the present invention as described before, for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object by successive layered selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of build material, which layers of build material can be consolidated by an energy source, the application apparatus being adapted for applying the build material in a build plane of the device, a drive apparatus is provided having at least one annular circumferential drive element, which is rotatable or swivellable in an x-z plane, which x-z plane is defined by an x-direction extending substantially in the application direction and a z-direction substantially perpendicular to the x-direction, wherein the at least one application element is connected to the drive element.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating at least one apparatus for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object by successive layered selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of build material, which layers of build material can be consolidated by an energy source, in particular an apparatus according to the present invention as described above, comprising an application device adapted for applying the build material in a build plane of the apparatus, wherein at least one annular circumferential drive element rotates in an x-z plane, which is defined by an x-direction extending substantially in the application direction and a z-direction substantially perpendicular to the x-direction, wherein the at least one application element is connected to the drive element.
In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, the build material may be picked up by at least one application element connected to a drive element. Due to the rotational movement of the drive element, which rotational movement comprises at least one portion arranged substantially parallel to the building plane, the building material may be moved via the at least one application element as the at least one application element is moved along the application direction. Thus, build material may be transported to and distributed in the build plane. After the respective application element has passed the build plane, the application element returns to the initial position following the circumferentially rotated drive element in the x-z plane.
Preferably, a plurality of application elements are provided, wherein the application elements are continuously moved over a dose plane, wherein the application elements pick up and onto the build plane, wherein the build material is transferred onto the build plane, and wherein the build material is distributed in the build plane. The application element may then be directed through an overflow opening provided by the overflow module to deplete excess build material.
Of course, all the details, features and advantages described in connection with the apparatus of the invention may be transferred entirely to the application device of the invention and the method of the invention. In particular, the method of the invention can preferably be carried out on the apparatus of the invention using the application device of the invention.
Drawings
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are schematic, in which,
fig. 1 shows an inventive device according to a first embodiment;
FIG. 2 shows a top view of the inventive apparatus of FIG. 1; and
fig. 3 shows an inventive device according to a second embodiment.
Detailed Description
Fig. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for additive manufacturing of a three-
The apparatus 1 optionally comprises a
The
According to this embodiment, two drive elements 13 (only one
As can also be taken from fig. 1, a plurality of application elements 17-22 are connected to the
The rotational movement of the
In order to arrange the
For applying the
After the respective application elements 17-22 have passed the
Fig. 2 shows a top view onto the
With the
It is also possible to define the
Furthermore, the speed at which the
For driving the drive element 13 (e.g. drive mechanism), for example a
Fig. 3 shows a device 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment, wherein the same reference numerals are used for the same parts. As shown in fig. 3, the apparatus 1 further comprises an
The difference with the embodiment described with reference to fig. 1 is that the drive means 12 are arranged above the
It goes without saying that the method of the invention can be carried out on the inventive device 1 depicted in fig. 1-3. All the details, features and advantages described in relation to the inventive device 1 and the inventive application means 5 described with reference to the respective embodiments are fully transferable and exchangeable.
Further aspects of the invention are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses:
1. an apparatus (1) for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object (2) by successively layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of build material (3), the layers of build material (3) being capable of being consolidated by an energy source, the apparatus (1) comprising an application device (5) adapted to apply the build material (3) in a build plane (6), having a drive device (12), the drive device (12) having at least one annular circumferential drive element (13) which is rotatable or swivellable in an x-z plane defined by an x-direction extending substantially in an application direction and a z-direction substantially perpendicular to the x-direction, wherein at least one application element (17-22) is connected to the drive element (13).
2. The apparatus according to any preceding item, said driving device (12) being adapted to linearly drive said at least one driving element (13).
3. The apparatus according to any preceding item, said drive device (12) being adapted to rotate said at least one drive element (13) in an application direction.
4. The apparatus according to any preceding item, the application device (5) comprising at least two application elements (17-22) connected to the at least one drive element (13), wherein the at least two application elements (17-22) are arranged in series.
5. The apparatus according to any preceding item, said at least two application elements (17-22) connected to said at least one drive element (13) being adapted to successively transfer building material (3) from a common dosage plane (10) to a common building plane (6).
6. The apparatus according to any preceding item, the at least two application elements (17-22) being arranged along the drive element (13) with a defined distance (23), in particular the distance (23) between at least two application elements (17-22) being equal.
7. The apparatus according to any preceding clause, the distance (23) or the number of application elements (17-22) being defined as a function of at least one parameter relating to the irradiation time and/or the process gas parameter and/or the swirling of the build material (3) in the process plane (16).
8. Apparatus according to any preceding item, said drive means (12) being adapted to adjust the speed at which said at least one drive element (13) is driven as a function of at least one processing parameter, in particular the irradiation time and/or the amount of building material (3) that needs to be applied in said building plane (6).
9. The apparatus according to any preceding clause, the at least one drive element (13) being arranged to rotate or be rotatable in the x-z plane above or around the build chamber of the build module (8) and/or the dose chamber of the dose module (7) and/or the overflow chamber of the overflow module (9).
10. The device according to any preceding item, having at least one deflecting element (25) adapted to deflect the at least one driving element (13), in particular at least four deflecting elements (25) adapted to deflect the at least one driving element (13) in two corners of the dosing module (7) and/or the building module (8) and/or the overflow module (9).
11. The device according to any preceding clause, the at least one drive element (13) being constructed as or comprising at least one belt element, in particular a toothed belt.
12. The apparatus according to any preceding item, said at least one driving element (13) comprising a plurality of driving element portions, preferably four driving element portions, arranged around said building module (8), preferably forming a rectangle, wherein one driving element portion extends substantially parallel to said building plane (6).
13. An application device (5) for an apparatus (1), in particular an application device (5) for an apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, the apparatus (1) being for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object (2) by successive layer-wise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of build material (3), the layers of build material (3) being capable of being consolidated by an energy source, the application device (5) being adapted for applying build material (3) in a build plane (6) of the apparatus (1), having a drive device (12), the drive device (12) having at least one annular circumferential drive element (13) which is rotatable or rotated in an x-z plane defined by an x-direction extending substantially in an application direction and a z-direction substantially perpendicular to the x-direction, wherein at least one application element (17-22) is connected to the drive element (13).
14. Method for operating at least one device (1), in particular for operating a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, the apparatus (1) is for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object (2) by successive layered selective irradiation and solidification of layers of a structure building material (3), the layer of build material (3) being capable of being consolidated by an energy source, the apparatus (1) comprising an application device (5), said application means (5) being adapted to apply build material (3) in a build plane (6) of said apparatus (1), at least one annular circumferential drive element (13) rotating in an x-z plane, said x-z plane being defined by an x-direction extending substantially in the application direction and a z-direction substantially perpendicular to said x-direction, wherein at least one application element (17-22) is connected to the drive element (13).
15. Method according to any preceding clause, -moving the at least one application element (17-22) in an application direction; -distributing a building material (3) in said building plane (6); -returning said at least one application element (17-22) rotating circumferentially in said x-z plane.
- 上一篇:一种医用注射器针头装配设备
- 下一篇:脉冲式粉体定量供给装置及其方法