Plant for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11833754-B2
Application number	US-202017091857-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 6, 2020
Priority date	Nov 14, 2016
Publication date	Dec 5, 2023
Grant date	Dec 5, 2023

Abstract

A system ( 1 ) for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising one or more working stations ( 21 ), which are provided for performing at least one working process in the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, at least one freely positionable mobile storage unit ( 2 ) comprising a rack-like storage device ( 4 ) comprising at least one storage room ( 5 ) provided for storing at least one powder module ( 6 ), especially for the purpose of conveying the powder module ( 6 ) between different working stations ( 21 ) of the system ( 1 ), and at least one driverless, freely movable mobile conveying unit ( 3 ) comprising a receiving device ( 12 ) provided for receiving at least one mobile storage unit ( 2 ) for the purpose of conveying the storage unit ( 2 ) between different working stations ( 21 ) of the system ( 1 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, the system comprising:
at least one mobile storage unit comprising a rack storage device, the rack storage device comprising at least one storage room, the at least one mobile storage unit comprising a mounting device having at least one of a sliding storage element or a roller storage element mounting at least one powder module in the at least one storage room; and
at least one mobile conveying unit comprising a receiving device provided for receiving the at least one mobile storage unit, the receiving device comprising a lifting device coupled to a receiving element for abutting against the at least one mobile storage unit, wherein the lifting device generates a lifting power for moving the receiving element.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one storage room comprises a frame structure.

3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the frame structure comprises:
a plurality of frame structure portions defining the outer design of the at least one mobile storage unit;
a plurality of first frame structure portions limiting the at least one storage room; and
a plurality of second frame structure portions, via which the at least one mobile storage unit can be placed on a foundation.

4. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the mounting device movably mounts the at least one powder module relative to the frame structure.

5. The system according to claim 3 , wherein a clearance exists between the plurality of first frame structure portions and the foundation.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving element is moveable between an upper position against a first frame structure portion limiting the bottom of the at least one storage room on one side and in a lower position to be spaced apart from the first frame structure portion.

7. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of working stations for the at least one mobile conveying unit to convey the at least one mobile storage unit between.

8. The system according to claim 7 , wherein at least one of the plurality of working stations comprises at least one transfer interface, via which the at least one powder module can be transferred from the at least one working station to the at least one mobile storage unit.

9. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one mobile conveying unit can be moved into a defined docking position, in which the at least one mobile conveying unit is moved relative to the transfer interface such that the at least one powder module can be transferred from the at least one working station into the at least one storage room of the at least one mobile storage unit received on the at least one mobile conveying unit.

10. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the transfer interface can be closed by a closing device, wherein the closing device comprises a closing element, which can be movably supported between an open position, in which the transfer interface is released for transferring the at least one powder module from the at least one working station into the at least one storage room of the at least one mobile storage unit or for transferring the at least one powder module from the at least one storage room of the at least one mobile storage unit into the at least one working station, and a closed position, in which the transfer interface is not released for transferring the at least one powder module from the at least one working station into the at least one storage room of the at least one mobile storage unit or for transferring the at least one powder module from the at least one storage room of the at least one mobile storage unit into the at least one working station.

11. The system according to claim 1 , the at least one powder module comprises a powder chamber for receiving and/or dispensing construction material.

12. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one powder module comprises a process chamber, a collector module, and/or an overflow module, configured for being filled with non-solidified construction material.

13. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one powder module further comprises a construction module within which additive construction of objects is performed.

14. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one powder module further comprises one or more walls that define a powder room and a carrying device movably supported within the powder room.

15. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving device of the mobile conveying unit further comprises a lifting drive for generating a lifting power to the receiving element and/or the lifting element for moving the receiving element.

16. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one mobile conveying unit further comprises:
a drive device provided for generating a drive force; and
a power transmission device coupled with the drive device, the power transmission device provided for transmitting the drive force to a foundation for generating a movement of the at least one mobile conveying unit.

Assignees

• Concept Laser Gmbh

Inventors

• Bechmann Florian
• Hetzel Ralf
• Stammberger Jens
• Zeulner Fabian
• Hofmann Alexander

Classifications

• Y02P10/25

  Process efficiency · CPC title

• B29C64/259 Primary

  Interchangeable · CPC title

• B22F10/00 Primary

  Additive manufacturing of workpieces or articles from metallic powder (apparatus or devices therefor B22F12/00) · CPC title

• B22F12/38

  Housings, e.g. machine housings · CPC title

• B22F12/50

  Means for feeding of material, e.g. heads · CPC title