PLANT COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE APPARATUS FOR ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS

Abstract

Plant (1) comprising at least one apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, which plant (1) comprises at least one module (4) separably connected or connectable with the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18), wherein the plant (1) comprises at least one tunnel structure (5) through which the at least one module (4) is moveable in a tunnel transport direction (6), wherein the at least one module (4) is moveable from the tunnel structure (5) into a work position (7) inside the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) along a loading direction (10) and the at least one module (4) is moveable from the work position (7) out of the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) along an unloading direction (12).

Claims

1. Plant (1) comprising at least one apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, which plant (1) comprises at least one module (4) separably connected or connectable with the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18), wherein the plant (1) comprises at least one tunnel structure (5) through which the at least one module (4) is moveable in a tunnel transport direction (6), characterized in that the at least one module (4) is moveable from the tunnel structure (5) into a work position (7) inside the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) along a loading direction (10) and the at least one module (4) is moveable from the work position (7) out of the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) along an unloading direction (12) or the at least one module (4) is moveable from outside the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) into the work position (7) along a loading direction (10) and the at least one module (4) is moveable from the work position (7) into the tunnel structure (5) along an unloading direction (12), wherein the loading and unloading direction (10, 12) differ from the tunnel transport direction (6).

2. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the loading direction (10) and the unloading direction (12) are aligned under a defined angle, preferably the loading and unloading direction (10, 12) are oriented in the same direction.

3. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) comprises at least one buffer position (9) in which a module (4) can be positioned in advance to the manufacturing process.

4. Plant according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one module (4) is moveable along a buffer direction (14) from the tunnel structure (5) into the buffer position (9) and is moveable from the buffer position (9) into a corresponding work position (7) in loading direction (10).

5. Plant according to claim 3, characterized in that a module (4) being moved from the buffer position (9) into the work position (7) is moveable across the tunnel structure (5).

6. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) comprises three buffer positions (9), wherein the three buffer positions (9) correspond to three work position (7) and wherein three different types of modules (4) can be arranged in the buffer positions (9) and the work positions (7).

7. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) comprises at least two work positions (7) arranged on opposite sides of the tunnel structure (5), in particular three different types of work positions (7) for three different types of modules (4) arranged on both sides of the tunnel structure (5).

8. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one module (4) is built as build module and/or dose module and/or overflow module.

9. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one module (4) is moveable into the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) via the tunnel structure (5) and out of the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) through an opening (20) in the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) or at least one module (4) is moveable into the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) through an opening (20) in the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) and out of the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) via the tunnel structure (5).

10. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the plant is adapted to individually load modules (4) into the tunnel structure (5) or into the at least one apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) dependent on the type of the module (4) and/or the type of at least one vacant work position (7) and/or the type of at least one vacant buffer position (9).

11. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the plant (1) is adapted to load the tunnel structure (5) with at least two modules (4) in a predefined order.

12. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one first buffer region (19) is arranged in advance to the tunnel structure (5) of the at least one apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) and at least one second buffer region (21) is arranged behind the at least one apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) with respect to the loading direction (10) or at least one first buffer region (19) is arranged in advance to the at least one apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) and at least one second buffer region (21) is arranged behind the tunnel structure (5) with respect to the loading direction (10).

13. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one mobile transfer unit is adapted to transfer the at least one module (4) between a pre-processing station and the tunnel structure (5) or the first buffer region (19) and/or between the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) or the second buffer region (21) and a post-processing station or that the at least one mobile transfer unit is adapted to transfer the at least one module (4) between a pre-processing station and the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) or the first buffer region (19) and/or between the tunnel structure (5) or the second buffer region (21) and a post-processing station.

14. Plant according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one module (4) is arranged or arrangeable in a buffer position (9) inside the tunnel structure (5).

15. Apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, in particular an apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) for a plant (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one module (4) is separably connected or connectable with the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18), wherein the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) comprises at least one tunnel structure (5) through which the at least one module (4) is moveable in a tunnel transport direction (6), characterized in that the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) comprises at least one work position (7) for the at least one module (4), wherein the at least one module (4) is moveable from the tunnel structure (5) into the work position (7) along a loading direction (10) and the at least one module (4) is moveable from the work position (7) out of the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) along an unloading direction (12) or the at least one module (4) is moveable from outside the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) into the work position (7) along a loading direction (10) and the at least one module (4) is moveable from the work position (7) into the tunnel structure (5) along an unloading direction (12), wherein the loading and unloading direction (12) differ from the tunnel transport direction (6).

16. Method for moving at least one module (4) in a plant (1), in particular a plant (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least one apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, which plant (1) comprises at least one module (4) separably connected or connectable with the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18), wherein the plant (1) comprises at least one tunnel structure (5) through which the at least one module (4) is moveable or is moved in a tunnel transport direction (6), characterized in that the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) comprises at least one work position (7) for the at least one module (4), wherein the at least one module (4) is moved from the tunnel structure (5) into the work position (7) along a loading direction (10) and the at least one module (4) is moved from the work position (7) out of the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) along an unloading direction (12) or the at least one module (4) is moved from outside the apparatus (2, 3, 17, 18) into the work position (7) along a loading direction (10) and the at least one module (4) is moved from the work position (7) into the tunnel structure (5) along an unloading direction (12), wherein the loading and unloading direction (12) differ from the tunnel transport direction (6).

Description

[0043] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the FIG. The FIG. are schematic diagrams, wherein

[0044] FIG. 1 shows an inventive plant according to a first embodiment;

[0045] FIG. 2 shows an inventive plant according to a second embodiment;

[0046] FIG. 3 shows an inventive plant according to a third embodiment; and

[0047] FIG. 4 shows an inventive plant according to a fourth embodiment.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a plant 1 comprising two apparatuses 2, 3 for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, such as a laser beam or an electron beam. According to this exemplary embodiment two apparatuses 2, 3 are provided, wherein it has to be understood that an arbitrary number of apparatuses 2, 3 may be provided or comprised in the plant 1.

[0049] The plant 1 further comprises a plurality of modules 4 that can separably be connected with the apparatus 2, 3. The modules 4 may be moved through a tunnel structure 5 that extends through the apparatuses 2, 3, wherein the modules 4 may be moved through the tunnel structure 5 in a tunnel transport direction 6. The tunnel structure 5 extends through the apparatuses 2, 3, wherein the apparatuses 2, 3 can be deemed as being connected via the tunnel structure 5. For example, an exit of the tunnel structure 5 of the apparatus 2 may be connected to an entrance of the tunnel structure 5 of the apparatus 3.

[0050] Of course, a plurality of apparatuses 2, 3 may be connected via the tunnel structure 5, in particular in arbitrary combination. The situation depicted in FIG. 1 is merely exemplary, wherein an arbitrary configuration of apparatuses 2, 3 and combination of arbitrarily configured apparatuses 2, 3 is feasible to form the plant 1.

[0051] The modules 4 in the situation that is depicted in FIG. 1, can be moved into the tunnel structure 5 from where it is possible to move the modules 4 to a work position 7. Although, the apparatuses 2, 3 are depicted comprising multiple work positions 7, it is also possible that each apparatus 2, 3 only comprises one work position 7 or any arbitrary number of work positions 7. The work positions 7 may be assigned to different types of modules 4, such as dose modules, build modules and overflow modules, for instance. Such dose modules may be used to provide fresh build material in the additive manufacturing process, wherein build modules provide a build chamber in which a powder bed of non-consolidated build material can be received in which the three-dimensional object can be built. Excess build material that is conveyed from the dose module to the build module and cannot be received within the build chamber can be depleted in an overflow chamber of the overflow module. Hence, it is possible that three modules 4 form a triplet 8 that can simultaneously be used in an additive manufacturing process. For example, three modules 4, wherein a dose module, a build module and an overflow module is provided, can be used in the same additive manufacturing process and can therefore, be moved as triplet 8 into the corresponding work positions 7.

[0052] The apparatus 2 of the inventive plant 1, according to the first exemplary embodiment that is depicted in FIG. 1, comprises three work positions 7 and three buffer positions 9. The modules 4 may be moved from the tunnel structure 5 into a work position 7 inside the apparatus 2 along a loading direction 10. Thus, loading paths 11 are provided for moving the modules 4 from the tunnel structure 5 into the work positions 7, wherein the loading paths 11 extend along the loading direction 10. After the additive manufacturing process is finished or if a module 4 or a triplet 8 of modules 4 has to be removed from the work position 7, the corresponding modules 4 can be detached from the apparatus 2 and can be moved along an unloading direction 12, i.e. following an unloading path 13. Thus, the module being moved along the unloading path 13 that extends along the unloading direction 12 can be moved from the work position 7 out of the apparatus 2.

[0053] The apparatus 2 further comprises buffer positions 9, as described before, wherein a corresponding module 4 may be moved along a buffer direction 14 into the corresponding buffer position 9. In other words, the buffer position 9 may be assigned to the corresponding type of module 4 or it is possible to have buffer positions 9 in which an arbitrary type of module 4 may be stored in advance to an additive manufacturing process. If one of the work positions 7, in particular a corresponding work positions 7 that corresponds to the type of module 4 that is stored in the assigned buffer position 9, becomes vacant, as the module 4 being arranged in the work position 7 is removed from the work position 7 along the unloading path 13, the corresponding module 4 stored in the buffer position 9 may be moved along an unbuffer direction 15 following a buffer/unbuffer path 16 back into the tunnel structure 5 and along the loading direction 10 into the work position 7.

[0054] Hence, if one of the buffer positions 9 or one of the work positions 7 becomes vacant, the plant 1 (e.g. via a control unit of the plant 1) is adapted to individually load a corresponding module 4, in particular matching the type of module that is required to refill the vacant work position 7 or buffer position 9. In particular, it is possible to simultaneously load a triplet 8 of corresponding modules 4. For example, if an additive manufacturing process is finished the modules 4 being arranged in the three work positions 7 can be removed from the apparatus 2 via the unloading path 13, wherein fresh modules 4, in particular a triplet 8 of fresh modules 4 may be loaded, either from the buffer positions 9 or from the tunnel structure 5.

[0055] Regarding the apparatus 3 it is also possible that no buffer positions 9 are provided, but that three additional (or any other arbitrary number of) work positions 7 are provided. Hence, modules 4 may be moved from the tunnel structure 5 to the corresponding work positions 7 along the loading direction 10 following loading paths 11. In other words, a module 4 being moved into the tunnel structure 5 of the apparatus 3 might either be moved to the left or to the right (in this exemplary embodiment) along the loading direction 10 that defines the direction of the loading path 11. After the additive manufacturing process is finished or the corresponding module 4 has to be replaced or changed, the module 4 may be removed from the work position 7 along the unloading direction 12 following the unloading path 13, as described before.

[0056] As can further be derived from FIG. 1, it is possible to buffer fresh modules 4 on the loading path 11, wherein a fresh module 4 can be already moved on the loading path 11 before the used module 4 that is currently arranged in the work position 7 is removed from the work position 7. As soon as the used module 4 in the work position 7 is detached from the apparatus 3 and is removed from the apparatus 3 via the unloading path 13, the fresh module 4 waiting in the loading path 11 can be moved into the work position 7. Hence, the module flow direction or the material flow direction may be deemed as being unidirectional, as no module 4 is moved or removed from the corresponding apparatus 2, 3 on the same path that it was moved into the work position 7. Hence, the loading paths 11 do not have to be kept free for the currently used module 4 to be removed from the apparatus 2, 3. Instead, the plant 1 may already load a corresponding fresh module 4 and move the fresh module 4 via the loading paths 11 towards the work position 7. Thus, downtimes of the apparatus 3 can be significantly reduced. Of course, an arbitrary combination of buffer positions 9 and work position 7 is feasible.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a plant 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment. The plant 1 comprises two apparatuses 17, 18 that are again connected via a tunnel structure 5. Regarding the apparatus 17 of the plant 1, as depicted in FIG. 2, the material flow or the module flow is also unidirectional, but is oriented in the opposite direction. In other words, modules 4 being arranged in a first buffer region 19 can be moved into the apparatus 17 along the loading direction 10. As already described before, with respect to the apparatus 3, the apparatus 17 comprises six work positions 7, from which two work positions 7 are assigned to the same type of module 4, for example dose modules, build modules and overflow modules.

[0058] Further, the apparatus 17 comprises openings 20 through which the modules 4 may be moved into the apparatus 17, in particular in the corresponding work positions 7. Thus, the modules 4 may be moved along the loading paths 11 that extend along the loading direction 10 into the work position 7. After the additive manufacturing process is finished or if the corresponding module 4 needs to be replaced, the module 4 may be moved from the work position 7 along the unloading path 13 that extends in unloading direction 12 into the tunnel structure 5. As the apparatus 17 comprises work position 7 that are arranged on both sides of the tunnel structure 5, it is possible that each module 4 being arranged in a work position 7 is removed from the apparatus 17 by moving the module 4 from the work position 7 along the unloading path 13 into the tunnel structure 5. Subsequently, the modules 4 may be moved along tunnel transport direction 6 and removed from the apparatus 17.

[0059] Regarding the apparatus 18, it is possible that modules 4 may be moved from outside the apparatus 18 into the tunnel structure 5 and from the tunnel structure 5 into one of the work positions 7. Hence, a module 4, in particular a fresh module 4, may be inserted into the tunnel structure 5 via an opening 20 and may be moved from the tunnel structure 5 in loading direction 10 or along the loading path 11. From the work position 7 it is possible to move the module 4 on the unloading path 13 that extends in unloading direction 12. It is also possible to move modules 4 being stored in the first buffer region 19 through an opening 20 on a loading path 11 that extends in loading direction 10 into one of the work positions 7.

[0060] Again, it is also possible to build triplets 8 of modules 4 that can be loaded into the apparatus 17, 18 as triplets 8 in that the additive manufacturing process can be performed with the triplets 8 of modules 4. From the work positions 7 it is possible to move a module 4 along an unloading direction 12 on an unloading path 13 into the tunnel structure 5 and move the modules 4 from the tunnel structure 5 in tunnel transport direction 6 out of the apparatus 17, 18. Of course, an arbitrary combination of apparatuses 2, 3, 17, 18 is feasible to form a plant 1. The individual aspects, details and features of loading and unloading or buffering and unbuffering modules 4 described with respect to the individual apparatuses 2, 3, 17 and 18 can arbitrarily be transferred, combined and exchanged.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a plant 1 according to a third embodiment. The plant 1 comprises a first buffer region 19 and two second buffer regions 21. As can be derived from FIG. 3, the exemplary third embodiment shows a plant 1 comprising an apparatus 3 of the type of the apparatus 3, as depicted in FIG. 1. Thus, modules 4 being removed from the apparatus 3 via unloading path 13 and therefore, are moved from the work position 7 to the outside of the apparatus 3 can be stored in the second buffer regions 21. Thus, the modules 4 can be stored in the second buffer regions 21 to be picked up, for example by a transport unit, such as a mobile transport unit, or the modules 4 may themselves contain a mobile transport unit to be able to move, for example to a post-processing station, such as a handling station. It is also possible that in advance to the first buffer region 19, a pre-processing station is provided, e.g. a refill station in which dose modules can be refilled with build material.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a plant 1, wherein the depicted apparatus 17 is generally of the type of the apparatus 17, as depicted in FIG. 2. Thus, two first buffer regions 19 are provided, in which modules 4 may be stored in advance to an additive manufacturing process, in particular in advance to being moved into the apparatus 17, via corresponding loading paths 11 extending in loading direction 10. After the additive manufacturing process is finished or if one of the modules 4 has to be changed or replaced, the respective module 4 may be moved from the work position 7 into the tunnel structure 5, as described before, with respect to the apparatus 17, for instance.

[0063] Hence, the modules 4 may be moved through the tunnel structure 5 in tunnel transport direction 6 to be removed from the apparatus 17. Modules 4 that are removed from the apparatus 17 may be stored in a second buffer region 21 for example, in advance to being processed in a post-processing station. Of course, it is also possible to pre-process the modules 4 before they are stored in the first buffer regions 19, for example via a pre-processing station that is built as refill station in which a dose chamber of at least one dose module is refilled with fresh build material, for instance.

[0064] Of course, all details, features and advantages that are described with respect to the individual embodiments that are depicted in the FIGS. 1-4 can arbitrarily be combined and all details, features and advantages can arbitrarily be exchanged and transferred between the individual embodiments. Self-evidently, the inventive method may be performed on the inventive plant 1, preferably using at least one or more inventive apparatus, e.g. one or more inventive apparatuses 2, 3, 17, 18.