Eos Gmbh Electro Optical Systems

Eos Gmbh Electronics Optical Systems

Andreas Lohner

Christian Wilkening

Jochen Philippi

Thomas Mattes

The invention refers to a method for calibrating the control of a radiation device producing electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in a rapid prototyping system. The method comprises the steps of arranging a calibration plate at a defined position in the rapid prototyping system, the calibration plate having an upper side with a first region and a second region separate from the first region, the first region being provided with optically detectable reference marks and the second region having a medium which is sensitive to the radiation of the radiation device, producing a test pattern by exposing said medium to said radiation at predetermined desired positions defined by position coordinate data, digitizing the first region of the calibration plate with the reference marks thereon and the second region of the calibration plate having the test pattern, comparing the digitized reference marks and the digitized test pattern and calculating and providing correction data for the control of the radiation device on the basis of the comparison.

Method of calibrating an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object, calibration apparatus and method and apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object

A method of producing an object by successive solidification of layers of a powder material is disclosed. The method provides a preformed base plate having a metal plate with a solidified layer of a powder material formed thereon. Then, successive layers of said powder material are applied and solidified on the solidified layer of the base plate to form the object. In further detail, the method for produces a three-dimensional by providing a support and a preformed base plate having an upper surface for supporting the object. The base plate is removably attached to the support. Means are provided for adjusting the elevation of said upper surface. A layer of the powder material is applied to the upper surface of the base plate. The powder material is solidified at points corresponding to a cross-section of the object by irradiation with electromagnetic or particle radiation. Then, the applying and solidifying steps are repeated for completing the object.

Method for producing a three-dimensional object

Apparatus and method for producing three-dimensional objects

An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object by successive solidification of layers of a powder material at points corresponding to a cross-section of said object using electromagnetic or particle radiation comprises support means having an upper side for supporting the object thereon at a determined elevation, elevation adjustment means for varying the elevation, means for applying a layer of the material onto the upper side or onto another layer formed on the upper side, and irradiation means for irradiating the layer of the material at the points corresponding to a cross-section of the object. For reducing the production time of the object the apparatus further comprises a prefabricated base plate on the upper side, the base plate being made of a material which the powder material adheres to when being solidified, and means for removably connecting the base plate to the upper side of the support means.

Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object

In an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object by laser sintering the object is produced by successive solidification of layers of a powder material at points corresponding to a cross-section of said object using radiation for solidifying said powder material. The apparatus includes a support having a substantially plane upper side for supporting the object, a material applying device for applying a layer of the material onto the upper side or onto another layer formed on the upper side, and a solidification device for solidifying a layer of the material by irradiation. The material applying device has a coating device and a drive for displacing the coating device in a direction parallel to the upper side of the support. The coating device has a first side face, a second side face, a base surface parallel to the upper side and facing the same, a first edge portion between the first side face and the base surface, the first edge portion including a first angle of inclination with the base surface, and a second edge portion between the second side face and the base surface, the second edge portion including a second angle of inclination with the base surface, the second angle of inclination being smaller than the first angle of inclination.

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Haar, Germany

Andreas Lohner