阅读说明：本技术 用于增材制造系统的底部元件以及增材制造系统 (Base element for an additive manufacturing system and additive manufacturing system ) 是由 斯特凡·费舍尔 米里亚姆·赫斯特 斯特凡·莱茵哈特 塞巴斯蒂安·帕默 于 2020-08-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请公开一种用于增材制造系统(10)的底部元件(12),特别是用于3D打印机,所述底部元件(12)包括至少一个漏斗和/或空气出口(16),其中至少一个筛子(18)和/或网格元件布置在所述漏斗(16)的区域内。本申请进一步涉及一种增材制造系统(10),特别是3D打印机,其包括至少一个底部元件(12)。(The present application discloses a bottom element (12) for an additive manufacturing system (10), in particular for a 3D printer, the bottom element (12) comprising at least one funnel and/or air outlet (16), wherein at least one screen (18) and/or mesh element is arranged within the area of the funnel (16). The application further relates to an additive manufacturing system (10), in particular a 3D printer, comprising at least one bottom element (12).)

1. A bottom element (12) for an additive manufacturing system (10), in particular for a 3D printer, characterized in that the bottom element (12) comprises at least one funnel and/or air outlet (16), wherein at least one screen (18) and/or mesh element is arranged within the area of the funnel (16).

2. The base element (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that said funnel (12) comprises a connection element (20) connected to a suction element.

3. The bottom element (12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one screen (18) is designed as a filter and/or pre-filter.

4. The bottom element (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen (18) is arranged in the bottom element (12) and/or on the bottom element (12) so as to be detachable and/or removable.

5. Bottom element (12) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the mounted state the sieve (18) is arranged at the bottom side and end side of the funnel (16).

6. The bottom element (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the funnel (16) is a circular funnel having a diameter that continuously decreases in at least a cross-section.

7. The bottom element (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinal axis of the funnel (16) is arranged vertically in the mounted and erected state of the bottom element (12).

8. The bottom element (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plate element (22) is arrangeable opposite the sieve (22) on the funnel (16), the plate element being arranged on the funnel (16) by one or more struts (24) such that the plate element covers only a part of the funnel inlet.

9. The bottom element (12) according to claim 8, characterized in that the plate element (22) has a circular design.

10. The bottom element (12) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the pillars (24) are uniform and/or arranged in a star shape.

11. Additive manufacturing system (10), in particular a 3D printer, characterized by comprising at least one bottom element (12) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Technical Field

The present application relates to a base element for an additive manufacturing system and a base element of an additive manufacturing system, in particular a base element of a 3D printer, and to an additive manufacturing system, in particular a 3D printer.

Background

In connection with plastic 3D printing, in particular for medical applications (e.g. for implants), the currently achievable component quality is the focus of many scientific studies. The two most important challenges that play a decisive role in the quality of the component are the tolerance of the component and the sterility of the component or the particle precipitation rate of the component.

For example, A3D printing device, in particular an FFF printing device, comprises at least one printhead unit known from DE 102015111504 a1, which is arranged in at least one operating state for melting a printing material, which is at least partially formed from a high-performance plastic material, in particular a high-performance thermoplastic polymer.

Furthermore, EP 2261009 a1 discloses an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the apparatus comprising a vacuum pump coupled to a feed vessel to generate a gas flow through the feed vessel.

Furthermore, EP 3023228 a1 shows an additive manufacturing apparatus with an air flow system to provide an air flow over a build-up platform region of the additive manufacturing apparatus.

Further, EP 3173233 a1 discloses a three-dimensional manufacturing apparatus having a process chamber heated by a process chamber heating unit provided therefor.

Further, US 6,033,301 a discloses a combined fan filter unit configured for filtering air of a clean room air circuit.

US 6,722,872B 1 further shows a three-dimensional modeling apparatus intended for building three-dimensional objects within heated building compartments.

In addition, a diffuser for generating a uniform gas flow within a process chamber, for example for the production of semiconductor chips, is shown in US 6,817,941B 1.

Further, US 2015/110911 a1 shows an environment monitoring or control unit which, for example together with additive manufacturing techniques, serves as an interface to its respective environment.

Furthermore, WO 2016/063198 a1 shows a method and a device for producing three-dimensional objects by "fused deposition modeling", wherein the production device comprises a radiant heating element which can heat the surface of the object to be produced exposed thereto.

Furthermore, clean room technology for 3D printers and so-called bioprinters is known from WO 2017/040675 a 1.

DE 102017122849 a1 discloses a fluid supply system for A3D printer, in particular for an FFF-3D printer.

Furthermore, a method for producing a three-dimensional object using a "fused deposition modelling" printer is available from WO 2017/108477 a 1.

The problem of insufficient sterility of components for these additive manufacturing devices, in particular for medical applications, still remains according to the solutions proposed in the prior art.

It is further known that, in printing, small parts or residues may fall off due to the influence of gravity and into moving parts such as radiators or into the air system, or may reach inaccessible places. It must be possible to remove this type of contamination if feasible.

The object of the present application is therefore to provide a possibility to prevent impurities generated during printing from negatively affecting the preparation of the air system and the additive manufacturing system.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the present application, this object is achieved by a bottom element of an additive manufacturing system having the features of claim 1. Hereby, a bottom element for an additive manufacturing system, in particular for a 3D printer, is provided, the bottom element having at least one funnel and/or an air outlet, wherein at least one screen and/or mesh element is arranged within the area of the funnel.

In this case, the funnel, through which exhaust gas may be exhausted, in particular from a build-up chamber of the additive manufacturing system, may be a suitable pipe diameter reduction or a suitable air guiding element. In particular, it can be provided that the funnel is formed by a tube element which is constricted in cross section.

The present application is based on the following basic concepts: any printing residue or small parts are collected in a particular manner and positioned accordingly by the funnel so that it can be easily removed and the additive manufacturing system can be easily cleaned. The use of a screen also allows small parts and impurities to be collected without interfering with the functioning of the air handling system.

In particular, it may be provided that the funnel is part of an air path through which exhaust air is exhausted from a build-up chamber of the additive manufacturing system, i.e. from a print chamber of the additive manufacturing system.

It is further provided that the funnel comprises a connecting element connected to the suction element. In particular, this makes it possible to suck smaller impurities into the hopper, which are then collected on the sieve accordingly.

The screen can be designed in particular as a filter and/or as a pre-filter.

In particular, it is also conceivable for the filter to be a particle filter or the like. In particular, it is conceivable that the filter is a so-called HEPA filter.

It can also be provided that the screen is arranged in and/or on the bottom element so as to be detachable and/or removable. This makes it possible to separate the screen from the bottom element after operation in a clean state of the additive manufacturing system and to clean accordingly.

In principle, it is also contemplated that the entire bottom element may be designed to be removable from the additive manufacturing system. In this case, a plug connection or a bayonet connection or a corresponding quick-release fastener is particularly suitable. It is also conceivable that the funnel is designed to be insertable and, like a drawer, can be pulled out and put back again by pushing it in. The funnel may also rest on a projection or step and be removed therefrom accordingly.

It may be a particular advantage if the bottom element as a whole is designed to be easily detachable without tools.

At least one screen may be arranged in the mounted state on the bottom side and on the end side of the funnel. This ensures that the falling contaminants as well as polymer residues or other printing residues can accumulate in the screen, i.e. in the part facing the ground, by gravity.

This also ensures that impurities can be removed from the actual printing area accordingly and do not have any influence on the components and the respective quality of the components.

The funnel can be designed as a circular funnel, the diameter of which decreases continuously at least in cross section. This ensures that only a small portion actually needs to be cleaned. This reduction also makes it possible to connect to the air handling system of the additive manufacturing system or to the air path system accordingly.

The continuous reduction in diameter also allows for a larger diameter reduction of the accumulation chamber to a correspondingly smaller diameter.

Standard funnels may be used instead, or the production of funnels may be simplified accordingly.

The longitudinal axis of the funnel may be arranged vertically in the mounted and erected state of the bottom element. This may simplify the configuration. In addition, this can also be used in a particularly efficient manner for collecting impurities on the sieve, since these are automatically collected on the sieve due to gravity and are, for example, associated with a continuous reduction in the diameter of the hopper.

The plate element may be arranged opposite the sieve on the funnel, said plate element being arranged on the funnel by one or more struts such that said plate element covers only a part of the funnel inlet. In this way, it is conceivable for a respective plate on which components can be built or on which respective component carriers can be placed or arranged.

By using suitable struts, it is also possible to use the part of the funnel inlet which remains open as suction opening for the intake or suction of air from the accumulation chamber. This allows impurities to be easily extracted near the plate, which can then be collected on a sieve in a hopper.

In particular, it can be provided that the plate element has a circular design. This allows a particularly simple configuration and production. Furthermore, a uniform suction and corresponding suction opening can also be provided.

The struts may be uniformly configured and/or configured in a star. The uniform and/or star-shaped configuration of the struts allows for even introduction of force and load distribution. It is important to ensure that the plate remains stationary during operation, which may otherwise negatively impact printing accuracy.

The application further relates to an additive manufacturing system, in particular a 3D printer, comprising at least one bottom element as described above.

Drawings

Further details and advantages of the present application will now be explained by means of exemplary embodiments, which are shown in more detail in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the additive manufacturing system according to the present application; and

fig. 2 is a schematic view of the additive manufacturing system according to fig. 1.

Description of reference numerals:

10 additive manufacturing system

12 bottom element

14 accumulation chamber

16 funnel

18 sifter

20 connecting element

22 plate element

24 support

26 bearing plate

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 show an additive manufacturing system 10 according to the present application, comprising a base element 12 according to the present application.

In the example embodiment shown, the additive manufacturing system 10 is a 3D printer.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the interior of the accumulation chamber 14, in which a print head (not illustrated in more detail) is arranged.

The bottom element 12 comprises a funnel 16 arranged in a bottom region of the accumulation chamber 14.

The funnel 16 is a circular funnel 16 having a continuously decreasing diameter throughout its height.

On the bottom side of the funnel 16, a sieve 18 is arranged.

Here, the screen 18 is disposed on the bottom side and the end side of the hopper 16.

Screen 18 is configured to be separable and removable from base member 12.

The screen 18 is a filter or pre-filter. The screen 18 is also designed in an advantageous configuration as a so-called HEPA filter.

After and downstream of screen 18, funnel 16 may be used to establish a connection with an air suction or air handling of additive manufacturing system 10. Here, the connection element 20 is shown to some extent corresponding to an air suction of the additive manufacturing system 10.

As can be seen from the figures, the longitudinal axis of the funnel 16 may be arranged vertically in the mounted and erected state of the bottom element 12.

It is also obvious that on the opposite side of the screen 18 on the hopper 16, on the side of the construction space, a flat plate element 22 is arranged, on which the components can be built.

The plate element 22 has a circular design and is accordingly positioned in the middle of the construction space side opening of the funnel 16.

This can be seen especially in the a-a section.

The plate member 22 is attached to a carrier plate 26 by a plurality of struts 24, wherein the carrier plate 26 defines a lower plane of the accumulation chamber 14.

The function of the base element 12 is explained below:

when building a 3D printed part, corresponding printing residues may occur that are pushed by the corresponding air supplied within the accumulation chamber 14 through the flat plate 22 towards the gaps between the pillars 24.

In this position, when the residue falls into the hopper 16 or is blown by the air flow towards the screen 18, it passes through the respective air flow and is also moved towards the screen 18 by gravity.

This ensures that the plate member 22 can be kept clean and free of impurities.

The geometry of the funnel may also be selected such that the funnel acts as a separator and collects and accumulates dirt, impurities, etc. Subsequently, these contaminants are not sucked in by the air flow from the centrifugal fan, but can be collected in a collection container and thus easily removed.

The above description is only an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.