METHOD FOR OPERATING AN APPARATUS FOR ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS

Abstract

Method for operating at least one apparatus (5, 6) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (7-9) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (10) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (11), wherein a communication interface (4) connected or connectable with the at least one apparatus (5, 6) is adapted to receive at least a first data set (14, 15) comprising object data from at least a first user (1, 2) of a first user group (3), relating to at least one object (7-9) to be built, and at least a second data set (16, 17) from at least one second user (18, 19) of a second user group (20).

Claims

1. Method for operating at least one apparatus (5, 6) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (7-9) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (10) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (11), characterized in that a communication interface (4) connected or connectable with the at least one apparatus (5, 6) is adapted to receive at least a first data set (14, 15) comprising object data from at least a first user (1, 2) of a first user group (3), relating to at least one object (7-9) to be built, and at least a second data set (16, 17) from at least one second user (18, 19) of a second user group (20), wherein the at least one first data set (14, 15) and/or the at least one second data set (16, 17) is stored and/or build data are generated and/or stored relating to the at least one object (7-9) to be built corresponding to the received data sets (14-17).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first data set (14, 15), in particular the object data, comprises at least one of the following parameters: three-dimensional data of at least one object (7-9) to be built at least one chemical parameter of the object (7-9) to be built, in particular a build material parameter at least one physical parameter of the object (7-9) to be built, in particular a density and/or a mechanical property time information relating to a due date initiation information information relating to at least one post-processing step

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one second data set (16, 17) comprises at least one of the following parameters: at least one chemical parameter of build material (10) used on at least one build plane (13) at least one physical parameter of build material (10) used on at least one build plane (13) at least one parameter relating to at least one energy beam (11) at least one parameter relating to a process chamber, in particular an inertization parameter at least one information to at least one available post-processing step at least one time information at least one information relating to an occupancy rate of the at least one build plane (13) at least one information relating to an availability of a process monitoring and/or a process documentation

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the build data comprise at least one of the following parameters: at least one chemical parameter of the object (7-9) to be built, in particular a build material parameter at least one physical parameter of the object (7-9) to be built, in particular a density and/or a mechanical property time information relating to a duration of the manufacturing process of the object (7-9) to be built material consumption irradiation strategy

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized by at least one set of job data generated dependent on at least two first data sets (14, 15), wherein at least two objects (7-9) are assigned to the same build plane (13) dependent on the at least one set of job data.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the job data comprise at least one of the following parameters: number of objects (7-9) assigned to at least one build plane (13) time information relating to a duration of the manufacturing process of all objects (7-9) assigned to the same build plane (13) price information initiation information occupancy rate of a build plane (13) of the at least one apparatus (5, 6) number of build jobs number of first users (1, 2) of the first user group (3)

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that a manufacturing process is initiated dependent on the job data, in particular dependent on the at least one initiation information.

8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a data storage (21) is provided, wherein the first and/or second data sets (14-17) and/or object data and/or build data and/or job data are stored.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the data storage (21) is at least partially accessible for at least one second user (18, 19) of the second user group (20), in particular the outer dimensions of at least one object (7-9) to be built, is accessible to at least one second user (18, 19) of the second user group (20).

10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first data set (14, 15) is transferred encrypted.

11. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication interface (4) is adapted to receive at least one price information of at least one second user (18, 19) of the second user group (20), wherein at least one build job of a first user (1, 2) of the first user group (3) is assigned to a manufacturing process of at least one second user (18, 19) of the second user group (20) dependent on the price information.

12. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication interface (4) is adapted to receive at least one price information of at least two second users (18, 19) of the second user group (20), wherein at least one build job of at least one first user (1, 2) of the first user group (3) is assigned to a manufacturing process of one of the second users (18, 19) of the second user group (20) dependent on the received price information.

13. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a topology of an object (7-9) to be built is optimized, in that a material consumption and/or a build time and/or an occupancy rate of the build plane (13) of the apparatus (5, 6) is reduced.

14. Method according to claim 1, characterized by a measurement device information that is accessible for at least one first user (1, 2) of the first user group (3), wherein at least one location of a measuring unit is stored, in particular at least one 3D-scanner in the vicinity of the location of the at least one first user (1, 2) of the first user group (3).

15. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one first user (1, 2) of the first user group (3) is a consumer or a client and/or at least one second user (18, 19) of the second user group (20) is a plant operator or a provider.

Description

[0077] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the FIGURE. The sole FIGURE is a schematic diagram and shows an inventive apparatus.

[0078] The FIGURE exemplarily shows two first users 1, 2 that are, for example, grouped into a first user group 3. The first users 1, 2 can, for example, be consumers or clients, wherein the first user group 3 can be regarded as consumer-group or client-group, respectively.

[0079] The FIGURE further shows a communication interface 4 that is (directly or indirectly) connected with two additive manufacturing apparatuses 5, 6. that are adapted to additively manufacture three-dimensional objects 7-9 by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material 10 which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam 11. To generate and guide the energy beam 11 (or multiple energy beams 11) the apparatuses 5, 6 comprise an irradiation device 12 that is adapted to generate and guide the energy beam (or multiple energy beams 11) over a build plane 13. The build plane 13 is a surface of build material 10 in which build material 10 can be directly irradiated via the energy beam 11.

[0080] Although, the objects 7-9 are indicated with the same reference signs, of course, the apparatuses 5, 6 may manufacture different objects 7-9, wherein the apparatuses 5, 6 may use different build material 10. Further, the connection of the communication interface 4 with the apparatuses 5, 6 does not have to be a direct connection, but the communication interface 4 may be connected indirectly to the apparatuses 5, 6 via multiple interfaces, for example controlled by the respective plant operator operating the apparatuses 5, 6. In particular, it is possible that data received by the communication interface 4 is transferred to the apparatuses separately (e.g. via a data storage, such as a USB-stick) or automatically, e.g. wherein respective data are automatically assigned and transferred to the respective apparatus 5, 6.

[0081] The communication interface 4 is adapted to receive first data sets 14, 15 comprising object data from the two first users 1, 2 of the first user group 3, relating to at least one object 7-9 to be built. The first data sets 14, 15 the first users 1, 2 transmit to the communication interface 4 contain information, in particular object data, relating to the objects 7-9 to be additively manufactured. Each of the first data sets 14, 15 relates to at least one object 7-9, wherein, for example, the first data set 14 relates to the object 7 and the first data set 15 relates to the objects 8, 9. The three-dimensional data define the shape and/or at least an outer contour of the object 7-9 therefore, defining the size and the dimensions of the object 7-9.

[0082] The first users 1, 2 define in the respective first data sets 14, 15 a build material parameter, defining of which build material 10 the object 7-9 is to be built. Accordingly, the first users 1, 2 may define respective physical parameters, such as the density and/or mechanical properties of the build material 10 and/or the built object 7-9.

[0083] The communication interface 4 further is adapted to receive second data sets 16, 17 from two second users 18, 19. The two second users 18, 19 can be assigned to a second user group 20 that can be deemed as provider-group or plant operator-group, wherein the second users 18, 19 can be regarded as providers or plant operators, respectively. In this embodiment the second user 18 operates the apparatus 5 and the other second user 19 operates the apparatus 6. Thus, the second users 18, 19 provide their apparatuses 5, 6 for first users 1, 2, wherein objects 7-9 of the first users 1, 2 can be built using the apparatuses 5, 6.

[0084] The second users 18, 19 also define in the second data sets 16, 17 the build material 10 that is used on the build planes 13 of the apparatuses 5, 6 the second users 18, 19 operate. This enables a selection of potential build jobs submitted by the first users 1, 2, in that the build jobs may be selected that correspond in terms of the build material 10 used. Analogously, the second users 18, 19 define at least one physical parameter of the build material 10 used.

[0085] Further, the second users 18, 19 define parameters relating to the energy beam 11 generated in the apparatuses 5, 6. Each energy beam 11 may be defined regarding a variety of parameters, such as a beam power and/or a wavelength and/or a spot size and/or an available scanning speed and/or the type of source (laser beam, in particular laser diode, electron beam). Thus, the second users 18, 19 may provide data relating to the available energy beams 11 in that the first users 1, 2 may select or verify whether the apparatuses 5, 6 provided by the second users 18, 19 are suitable for manufacturing the intended three-dimensional object 7-9. For example, a build rate or a surface quality, in particular a surface roughness, may be defined by the second users 18, 19 (or defined by the apparatuses 5, 6), wherein the first users 1, 2 can verify, whether the provided build rate or surface quality is suitable. Vice versa, the first users 1, 2 may define the respective parameters that shall be achieved, wherein the second users 18, 19 (or the apparatuses 5, 6) may verify, whether the respective parameters can be met.

[0086] Another information contained in the second data sets 16, 17 relates to an occupancy rate of the build plane(s) 13. The occupancy rate of the build plane 13 leads, for example, to the costs the individual first users 1, 2 have to bear, wherein it is advantageous to use the available build plane 13 essentially to capacity, to avoid or reduce waste build material (non-consolidated build material) or build material that has to be recycled. The occupancy rate further allows for the first users 1, 2 to determine whether the objects 7-9 can be manufactured on the respective build plane 13 of the apparatus 5, 6, by determining the remaining available area of the build plane 13. Inversely, the second users 18, 19 can specifically select first data sets 14, 15 relating to objects 7-9 that fit a remaining available area of the build plane 13.

[0087] The communication interface 4 may be adapted to receive at least one price information of contained in the second data sets 16, 17. A build job of one of the first users 1, 2 is assigned to a manufacturing process performed on the apparatus 5, 6 of the second users 18, 19 dependent on the price information. Thus, the price information relates to the costs the first users 1, 2 would have to bear, if the corresponding object 7-9 was manufactured in the apparatus 5, 6.

[0088] The respective first users 1, 2 can select from the different offers of the second users 18, 19 dependent on the price information. It is also possible that build jobs are automatically assigned to second users 18, 19 that submitted the corresponding price information, for example, the assignment is automatically performed by the communication interface 4. The price information for the individual objects 7-9 may be based on the respective first data sets 14, 15 of the first users 1, 2.

[0089] Therefore, the second users 18, 19 may submit a price information to the communication interface 4, which price information is accessible by the first users 1, 2, who are able to select one of the second users 18, 19 (or apparatuses 5, 6, respectively) the respective build job shall be assigned to. Of course, the assignment of the build job can also be performed automatically, wherein the build job is assigned to the second user 18, 19 that submitted the corresponding price information, e.g. the lower price.

[0090] As can be derived from the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the build jobs of the first users 1, 2 may be auctioned, in that the respective build job is assigned to the second user 18, 19 with the corresponding price information, e.g. the lowest price.

[0091] Preferably, the first and/or second data sets 14-17 as well as build data and/or job data are transmitted in an encrypted form. Thus, confidential information, such as the specific geometry or various construction parameters of the individual objects 7-9 are encrypted and cannot be accessed by other (first) users 1, 2 or, in general, personnel that is not authorized to have access to these information.

[0092] The communication interface 4 is, for example, designed as an internet platform on which the first users 1, 2 transmit (upload and store) their first data sets 14, 15 relating to the object 7-9 to be built.

[0093] Further, the communication interface is connected with a data storage 21 in which the respective data (first and second data sets 14-17, build data, job data) is stored. The data storage 21 is partially accessible for the second users 18, 19. The second users 18, 19 can partially access the first data sets 14, 15 submitted by the first users 1, 2. Based on the access, the second users 18, 19 can determine, whether the individual objects 7-9 fit into a planned manufacturing process, i.e. whether the remaining area of the build plane 13 is suitable for building the objects 7-9. The first data sets 14, 15 are therefore, abstracted in that details of the objects 7-9 are not accessible to the second users 18, 19. The other first users 1, 2, of course, do not gain access to the first data sets 14, 15 of other first users 1, 2, unless they are indicated as publicly accessible.

[0094] Further, it can be assured that only qualified or authorized personnel or second users 18, 19 can access the respective data, by at least one verification information, wherein only second users 18, 19 with the corresponding verification information gain (partial) access to the first data sets 14, 15 or in particular restricted first data sets 14, 15 that are not open to the public.

[0095] Besides, the first users 1, 2 have access to the second data sets 16, 17, for example, to retrieve information relating to the apparatuses 5, 6 or price information for respective build jobs for the objects 7-9. Again, at least one verification information may be provided, wherein only first users 1, 2 with the corresponding verification information gain access to the second data sets 16, 17 or in particular restricted second data sets 16, 17 that are not open to the public.