PLANT FOR ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURING AT LEAST ONE THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT

Abstract

Plant (1) for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object, comprising a at least one item transfer device (6) being configured to transfer an item (9) from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation, wherein the at least one item transfer device (6) comprises at least one item transfer element (7) comprising a plurality of item transfer element members (8) being interconnected with each other via hinged connections.

Claims

1. Plant (1) for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object, comprising a at least one item transfer device (6) being configured to transfer an item (9) from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation, wherein the at least one item transfer device (6) comprises at least one item transfer element (7) comprising a plurality of item transfer element members (8) being interconnected with each other via hinged connections.

2. Plant according to claim 1, wherein the at least one item transfer element (7) is moveably supported in an item transfer element support structure (10), whereby the item transfer element (7) is moveably supported between a first item transfer element position and/or a first item transfer element orientation and a second item transfer element position and/or a second item transfer element orientation, whereby the at least one item transfer element (7) is configured to exert a push-force or pull-force on an item (9) which is to be transferred from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation by the at least one item transfer element (7).

3. Plant according to claim 1, wherein the first item transfer element position and/or the first item transfer element orientation corresponds to a retracted position and/or a retracted orientation of the at least one item transfer element (7) in the item transfer element support structure (10), particularly compared with a reference position and/or orientation of the at least one item transfer element (7), and the second item transfer element position and/or the second item transfer element orientation corresponds to an extended position and/or an extended orientation of the at least one item transfer element (7), particularly compared with the reference position and/or orientation of the at least one item transfer element (7).

4. Plant according to claim 1, wherein the hinged connection of adjacent item transfer element members (8) allows for a pivot motion of adjacent item transfer element members (8) relative to each other between a first pivot position and/or a first pivot orientation and a second pivot position and/or a second pivot orientation, whereby the item transfer element members (8) comprise contact portions which contact in the second pivot position and/or in the second pivot orientation so as to impede a further pivot motion beyond the second pivot position and/or the second pivot orientation.

5. Plant according to claim 1, comprising an item transfer element drive unit (11) assigned to the at least one item transfer element (7), the item transfer element drive unit (11) being configured to generate a drive force so as to move the at least one item transfer element (7) between the first position and/or the first orientation and the second position and/or the second orientation.

6. Plant according to claim 1, comprising an item transfer element guiding unit (13) assigned to the at least one item transfer element (7), the item transfer element guiding unit (13) being configured to guide the at least one item transfer element (7) when being moved between the first position and/or the first orientation and the second position and/or the second orientation.

7. Plant according to claim 1, wherein the at least one item transfer element (7) is built as or comprises a linear chain.

8. Plant according to claim 1, wherein the item transfer device (6) is provided with a conveying carriage (4) of a conveying device of the plant (1), whereby the item transfer device (6) is configured to transfer an item (9) from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation in the conveying carriage (4).

9. Plant according to claim 8, wherein the first item position and/or the first item orientation is an item support position and/or an item support orientation in which the item (9 is supported by the conveying carriage (4) and the second item position and/or the second item orientation is an item transfer position and/or an item transfer orientation in which the item (9) is transferable or transferred from the conveying carriage (4) to a process station (2) of the plant (1).

10. Plant according to claim 1, wherein the item transfer device (6) is provided with a process station (2) of the plant (1), particularly a process station (2) being configured to perform an additive manufacturing process and/or at least one preprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process and/or at least one postprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process, whereby the item transfer device (6) is configured to transfer an item (9) from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation in the process station (2) of the plant (1).

11. Plant according to claim 10, wherein the item transfer device (6) is configured to transfer an item (9) from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation in the process station (2), whereby the first item position and/or the first orientation is an operating position, in which the item (9) is operable so as to perform an item-related first functionality, and the second item position and/or the second orientation is a second operating position, in which the item (9) is operable so as to perform an item-related second functionality, or is a non-operating position in which the item (9) is not operable to perform an item-related functionality.

12. Plant according to claim 10, wherein the item transfer device (6) is configured to transfer an item (9) from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation in a process station (2) being configured to perform an additive manufacturing process, whereby the item (9) is a build material application element of a build material application device, the build material application element being configured to apply an amount, particularly a specific amount of build material in the build plane of the process station (2) so as to form a build material layer which is to be selectively irradiated and consolidated by means of at least one energy beam.

13. Plant according to claim 10, wherein the item transfer device (6) is configured to transfer an item (9) from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation in a process station (2) being configured to perform at least one preprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process, whereby the item (9) is a cleaning element, particularly a suction and/or blowing element, of a cleaning device, particularly a sucking and/or blowing device, the cleaning device being configured to remove non-consolidated build material from a powder receiving volume of a powder module (3).

14. Plant according to claim 10, wherein the item transfer device (6) is configured to transfer an item (9 from a first item position and/or item orientation to a second item position and/or item orientation in a process station (2) being configured to perform at least one postprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process, whereby the item (9) is an unpacking element, particularly a suction and/or blowing element, of an unpacking device, the unpacking element being configured to remove non-consolidated build material surrounding a three-dimensional object after the additive manufacture of the three-dimensional object.

15. Item transfer device (6) for a plant (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects, the item transfer device (6) being configured to transfer an item (7) from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation, comprising at least one item transfer element (7) comprising a plurality of item transfer element members (8) being interconnected with each other via hinged connections.

16. Method for transferring at least one item (9) from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation in a plant (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects, wherein at least one item transfer device (6) according to claim 15 is used for transferring the at least one item (9) from the first item position and/or the first item orientation to the second item position and/or the second item orientation.

Description

[0064] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the Fig., whereby:

[0065] FIG. 1, 4 each show a principle drawing of a plant for additively manufacturing of at least one three-dimensional object according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0066] FIG. 2, 3 each show a principle drawing of an item transfer device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0067] FIGS. 1 and 4 each show a principle drawing of a plant 1 for additively manufacturing of at least one three-dimensional object according to an exemplary embodiment, whereby FIG. 1 shows a side-view of a portion of the plant 1 and FIG. 2 shows a top-view of a portion of the plant 1.

[0068] The plant 1 is typically, configured for mass or series production of additively manufactured three-dimensional objects, e.g. technical components.

[0069] The plant 1 may comprise a number of process stations 2, whereby a respective process station 2 may be configured to perform an additive manufacturing process, or a respective process station 2 may be configured to perform at least one preprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process, or a respective process station 2 may be configured to perform at least one postprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process. Hence, a respective process station 2 may be configured to perform at least one process-step for the actual additive build-up of at least one three-dimensional object, or configured to perform at least one process-step for preparing an additive manufacturing process, e.g. by preparing build material for a forthcoming additive manufacturing process, by preparing a powder module 3, such as a build module, i.e. a module in which the actual additive build-up of a three-dimensional object takes place, for a forthcoming additive manufacturing process, by preparing a process chamber of an additive manufacturing apparatus for a forthcoming additive manufacturing process, etc., or may be configured to perform at least one process-step for completing an additive manufacturing process, e.g. by unpacking an additively manufactured three-dimensional object from surrounding non-consolidated build material, by thermally treating an (unpacked) additively manufactured three-dimensional object, by treating the surface of an (unpacked) additively manufactured three-dimensional object, by sieving build material which was not consolidated during a previous additive manufacturing process by a sieving device, etc.

[0070] Generally, each process station 2 is provided with suitable functionality for performing its intended functionality, i.e. an additive manufacturing process and/or a preprocessing process and/or a postprocessing process. Thus, each process station 2 comprises a number of functional and/or structural devices which are operable during its operation. Each functional and/or structural device may comprise a number of functional and/or structural units which may comprise a number of functional and/or structural sub-units.

[0071] The plant 1 may further comprise a conveying carriage 4, e.g. a conveying slide, conveying skid, conveying vehicle or conveying wagon, for instance, for conveying an item 9 along a conveying path between two different positions, particularly between two different process stations 2, of the plant 1. The conveying carriage 4 may be moveably connectable or connected with conveying elements 5, e.g. conveying rails, defining a respective conveying path so as to be moveable along the respective conveying path.

[0072] The plant 1 comprises an item transfer device 6 being configured to transfer an item 9, e.g. a powder module 3, such as a build module, a dose module, or an overflow module, from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation.

[0073] Even though depicted as a respective powder module 3, an item 9 can be any functional and/or structural element which needs to be conveyed from a first position to a second position, or vice versa, during operation of the plant 1. Hence, a powder module 3 is only an exemplary embodiment of an item 9. Another exemplary embodiment of an item 9 can be a build plate, particularly a build plate which is insertable in a receiving volume of a build module, the build plate being configured to support build material and/or an additively manufactured three-dimensional object. Another exemplary embodiment of an item 9 can be an additively manufactured object. Another exemplary embodiment of an item 9 can be a detecting device configured to detect at least one chemical and/or physical parameter of at least one additive manufacturing process and/or at least one preprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process and/or at least one postprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process. Another exemplary embodiment of an item 9 can be a service and/or repair device configured to perform at least one service and/or repair functionality for at least one functional component of the at least one process station 2. Another exemplary embodiment of an item 9 can be a cleaning device configured to clean at least one functional component of the at least one process station 2. Another exemplary embodiment of an item 9 can be an unpacking device configured to configured to remove non-consolidated build material from a powder receiving volume of a powder module 3 so as to unpack an additively manufactured three-dimensional object. Other exemplary embodiments of items 9 are conceivable.

[0074] As is apparent from the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 2, 3, whereby FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a item transfer device 6 and FIG. 3 shows a cut-view of the item transfer device 6 of FIG. 2, the item transfer device 6 comprises at least one item transfer element 7 comprising a plurality of item transfer element members 8 being interconnected with each other via hinged connections 9. A respective item transfer element 7 is thus, formed form a plurality of interconnected item transfer element members 8, whereby the item transfer element members 8 may be pivoted relative to each other due to the hinged connections.

[0075] A respective item transfer element 7 is particularly, built as a linear chain, particularly as a push-pull-chain in the exemplary embodiments of the Fig. Respective item transfer element members 8 may thus, be deemed as chain link members.

[0076] Each item transfer element member 8 thus, comprises a base body (not explicitly shown) comprising a connection interface allowing for interconnecting the respective base body with a, particularly corresponding, connection interface of a base body of an adjacent item transfer element member 8. Respective connection interfaces are designed such that the interconnection of adjacent base bodies results in a hingeable or hinged connection of adjacent base bodies which allows for pivoting of the base bodies relative to each other. Respective connection interfaces may be built as or comprise bolted connections, for instance, in which the bolts form respective pivot axes of the base bodies.

[0077] The item transfer element members 8 may be oriented in a specific configuration in which at least one portion of the item transfer element 7 is capable of realizing a shear connection in a specific spatial direction. In this specific configuration, the at least one portion of the item transfer element 7 is capable of exerting push- or pull forces, particularly horizontal and/or vertical push- or pull forces, on an item 9 which is to be transferred from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation.

[0078] The specific configuration of the item transfer element members 8 is typically, given when the item transfer element members 8 of at least a portion of a respective item transfer element 7 are arranged and oriented in the same spatial direction without being pivoted relative to other. The item transfer element members 8 forming the portion of the item transfer element 7 which is capable of exerting push- or pull forces on an item 9 which is to be transferred from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation are thus, arranged one after another and have the same spatial orientation.

[0079] The hinged connection of adjacent item transfer element members 8 thus, allows for a pivot motion of adjacent item transfer element members 8 relative to each other between a first pivot position and/or a first pivot orientation and a second pivot position and/or a second pivot orientation. The item transfer element members 8 may comprise contact portions (not explicitly shown), such as stopper portions, which contact each other in the second pivot position and/or second pivot orientation so as to impede a further pivot motion beyond the second pivot position and/or second pivot orientation. Respective contact portions assure that respective item transfer element members 8, when being in the second pivot position and/or in the second pivot orientation, can only pivot back in the first pivot position and/or first pivot orientation, but not pivot further beyond the second pivot position and/or second pivot orientation. The second pivot position and/or second pivot orientation corresponds to the configuration of the item transfer element 7 in which the item transfer element members 8 are arranged one after another and have the same spatial orientation, so that this configuration of the item transfer element members 8 can be stabilized.

[0080] As is apparent from FIG. 2, 3, a respective item transfer element 7 may be moveably supported in an item transfer element support structure 10, such as a support frame structure comprising a number of, particularly bar- or rod-like, support frame elements in an angled arrangement, configured to support one or more item transfer elements 7. The moveable support of the item transfer elements 7 is realized by bearing- or wheel elements provided with the item transfer element members 8. Thereby, respective item transfer elements 7 may be moveably supported between a first item transfer element position and/or a first item transfer element orientation and a second item transfer element position and/or a second item transfer element orientation. The item transfer elements 7 may be configured to exert the aforementioned push-force or pull-force on an item 9 which is to be transferred from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation by respective item transfer elements 7 in the first item transfer element position and/or orientation and/or in the second item transfer element position and/or orientation. Exerting a respective push-force or pull-force typically, requires a coupling of the respective item transfer elements 7 with the respective item 9 allowing for pushing or pulling a respective item 9.

[0081] As mentioned before, the item transfer element members 8 forming the portion of the item transfer element 7 which is capable of exerting push- or pull forces on an item 9 which is to be transferred from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item are typically, arranged one after another and have the same spatial orientation. Hence, the first item transfer element position and/or orientation and/or the second item transfer element position and/or orientation may correspond to a configuration of a respective item transfer element 7 in which item transfer element members 8 are arranged one after another and have the same spatial orientation.

[0082] As is further apparent from FIG. 2, 3, the item transfer elements 7 may take a retracted position (shown in FIG. 2, 3) in the item transfer element support structure 10, particularly compared with a reference position and/or orientation. The item transfer elements 7 may also take an extended position (not shown), particularly compared with the reference position and/or orientation. In other words, the item transfer elements 7 may comprise a first state in which the item transfer elements 7 are retracted and a second state in which the item transfer elements 8 are extended with regard to an item 9 which is to be transferred from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation.

[0083] As is further apparent from FIG. 2, 3, the item transfer device 6 may comprise at least one item transfer element drive unit 11, e.g. a drive motor and/or a drive gear, assigned to the item transfer elements 7. The item transfer element drive unit 11 is typically, directly or indirectly coupled with the item transfer elements 7, e.g. by a mechanical coupling element (not explicitly shown), such as a gear-wheel. The item transfer element drive unit 11 is configured to generate a drive force or momentum so as to move the item transfer elements 7 between the first position and/or the first orientation and the second position and/or the second orientation and a respective retracted and extended position. Hence, the spatial orientation of the item transfer element members 8 relative to each other may be changed by operating the item transfer element drive unit 11. Operating the item transfer element drive unit 11 may thus, result in exerting respective push- or pull forces on an item 9 which is to be transferred from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation.

[0084] As is further apparent from FIG. 2, 3, the item transfer device 6 may comprise an item transfer element guiding unit 12 assigned to the item transfer elements 7. The item transfer element guiding unit 12 is configured to guide the item transfer elements 7 when being moved between the first position and/or the first orientation and the second position and/or the second orientation and a respective retracted and extended position. The item transfer element guiding unit 12 comprises a number of item transfer element guiding elements 13, such as guiding rails, guiding profiles, etc., configured to guide the item transfer elements 7 when being moved between the first position and/or the first orientation and the second position and/or the second orientation. Respective item transfer element guiding elements 13 may comprise a, particularly recess-like, receiving portion 14 for receiving a respective item transfer element 7.

[0085] As is apparent from FIG. 2, 3, respective item transfer element guiding elements 13 may form part of the item transfer element support structure 10.

[0086] As will be explained in context with FIGS. 1 and 4, respective item transfer devices 6 may be provided at different locations of the plant 1.

[0087] According to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, which is a side-view of a portion of the plant 1, a respective item transfer device 6 is provided in a conveying carriage 4 comprising at least one supporting interface 15, e.g. a receptacle, for supporting at least one item 9. A respective conveying carriage 4, which is exemplarily depicted as a conveying vehicle or conveying wagon in FIG. 1, may be moveably connectable or connected with at least one conveying element 5, e.g. a conveying rail, so as to be moveable along a conveying path defined by the conveying element 5.

[0088] The first item position and/or the first item orientation in a respective conveying carriage 4 is a support position and/or a support orientation in which the item 9 is supported by the conveying carriage 4 and the second item position and/or the second item orientation in a respective conveying carriage 4 is a transfer position (shown in dotted lines) and/or transfer orientation in which the item 9 is transferable or transferred from the conveying carriage 4 to a process station 2 of the plant 1, i.e. particularly to a respective receiving portion 16 of the process station 2.

[0089] According to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, which is a top-view of a portion of the plant 1, the item transfer device 6 is configured to transfer an item 9 from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation (shown in dotted lines) in a process station 2 of the plant 1, particularly a process station 2 being configured to perform an additive manufacturing process and/or at least one preprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process and/or at least one postprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process.

[0090] The item transfer device 6 may be particularly, configured to transfer an item 9 from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation in the process station 2. Thereby, the first item position and/or the first orientation may be an operating position, in which the item 9 is operable so as to perform an item-related first functionality, and the second item position and/or the second orientation may be a second operating position, in which the item 9 is operable so as to perform an item-related second functionality, or is a non-operating position in which the item 9 is not operable to perform an item-related functionality.

[0091] With regard to the exemplary option of providing an item transfer device 6 with a process station 2 being configured to perform an additive manufacturing process, the item transfer device 6 may be configured to transfer an item 9 from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation. Thereby, the item 9 may be a build material application element of a build material application device, the build material application element being configured to apply an amount, particularly a specific amount of build material in the build plane of the process station 2 so as to form a build material layer which is to be selectively irradiated and consolidated by means of at least one energy beam, for instance. Other items 9 provided with a respective process station 2 may be conceivable.

[0092] With regard to the exemplary option of providing an item transfer device 6 with a process station 2 being configured to perform at least one preprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process, the item transfer device 6 may be configured to transfer an item 9 from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation. Thereby, the item 9 may be a cleaning element, particularly a suction and/or blowing element, of a cleaning device, particularly a sucking and/or blowing device, the cleaning device being configured to remove non-consolidated build material from a powder receiving volume of a powder module 3, for instance. Other items 9 provided with a respective process station 2 may be conceivable.

[0093] With regard to the exemplary option of providing an item transfer device 6 with a process station 2 being configured to perform at least one postprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process, the item transfer device 6 may be configured to transfer an item 9 from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation. Thereby, the item 9 may be an unpacking element, particularly a suction and/or blowing element, of an unpacking device, the unpacking element being configured to remove non-consolidated build material surrounding a three-dimensional object after the additive manufacture of the three-dimensional object, for instance. Other items 9 provided with a respective process station may be conceivable.

[0094] As is apparent from above, the plant 1 may comprise at least one process station 2 being configured to perform an additive manufacturing process and/or at least one preprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process and/or at least one postprocessing process for an additive manufacturing process. Hence, a respective process station 2 may be configured to perform at least one process-step for the actual additive build-up of at least one three-dimensional object, and/or may be configured to perform at least one process-step for preparing an additive manufacturing process, e.g. by preparing build material for a forthcoming additive manufacturing process, by preparing a powder module, such as a build module, i.e. a module in which the actual additive build-up of a three-dimensional object takes place, for a forthcoming additive manufacturing process, by preparing a process chamber of an additive manufacturing apparatus for a forthcoming additive manufacturing process, etc., and/or may be configured to perform at least one process-step for completing an additive manufacturing process, e.g. by unpacking an additively manufactured three-dimensional object from surrounding non-consolidated build material, by thermally treating an (unpacked) additively manufactured three-dimensional object, by treating the surface of an additively manufactured three-dimensional object, by sieving build material which was not consolidated during a previous additive manufacturing process, etc.

[0095] The plant 1 allows for implementing a method for transferring an item 9 from a first item position and/or a first item orientation to a second item position and/or a second item orientation, wherein a respective item transfer device 6 is used for transferring the item 9 from the first item position and/or the first item orientation to the second item position and/or the second item orientation.

[0096] Single, a plurality, or all features mentioned in context with a specific embodiment may also apply to other embodiments. Hence, a single, a plurality, or all features mentioned in context with a specific embodiment may be combined with at least one feature of another specific embodiment.