Plant for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12515404-B2
Application number	US-202318519508-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 27, 2023
Priority date	Nov 14, 2016
Publication date	Jan 6, 2026
Grant date	Jan 6, 2026

Abstract

A system for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising one or more working stations, 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 comprising a rack-like storage device comprising at least one storage room provided for storing at least one powder module, especially for the purpose of conveying the powder module between different working stations of the system, and at least one driverless, freely movable mobile conveying unit comprising a receiving device provided for receiving at least one mobile storage unit for the purpose of conveying the storage unit between different working stations of the system.

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 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, wherein the receiving element is moveably supported between an upper position in which the receiving element is provided to abut against the at least one mobile storage unit, and a lower position in which the receiving element is provided to be spaced apart from the at least one mobile storage unit; and wherein the at least one storage room is formed by a frame structure comprising a plurality of wall-like wall, frame structure portions, wherein the plurality of wall-like wall, frame structure portions comprise first frame structure portions which delimit the at least one storage room and stand-like stand, second frame structure portions that enable the at least one mobile storage unit to be set down on a foundation.

2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting device movably mounts the at least one powder module with respect to the frame structure.

3 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein a clearance exists between the first frame structure portions and the foundation.

4 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first frame structure portions delimit the at least one storage room at a bottom of the at least one storage room and a ceiling of the at least one storage room.

5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first frame structure portions laterally delimit the at least one storage room.

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

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 at least one 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 at least one 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 at least one 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 , wherein 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 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 the foundation for generating a movement of the at least one mobile conveying unit.

16 . The system according to claim 15 , wherein the power transmission device transmits the drive force to the foundation to move the at least one mobile conveying unit along different configurable trajectories.

Assignees

• Concept Laser Gmbh

Inventors

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

Classifications

• B22F10/32

  of the atmosphere, e.g. composition or pressure in a building chamber · CPC title

• B22F12/90

  Means for process control, e.g. cameras or sensors · CPC title

• B22F12/88

  Handling of additively manufactured products, e.g. by robots · CPC title

• B22F12/86

  Serial processing with multiple devices grouped · CPC title

• B22F12/57

  Metering means · CPC title