Slm Solutions Group Ag

Nikon Slm Solutions Ag

Bodo Haack

Toni Adam Krol

Gesa Rolink

Birk Hoppe

Dieter Schwarze

Andreas Wiesner

Jan Wilkes

Karsten Huebinger

André Hermann

Peter Koerner

Simon Mueller

Kaj Merten Berggreen

Jonas Mersch

Karsten Hübinger

Peter Körner

Simon Müller

The invention relates to a device () for producing three-dimensional workpieces (), comprising a carrier () for receiving raw material powder (), a build chamber wall () which extend substantially vertically and which is adapted to laterally delimit and support the raw material powder () applied to the carrier (); an irradiation unit () for selectively irradiating the raw material powder () applied to the carrier () with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce on the carrier () a workpiece () manufactured from the raw material powder () by an additive layer building method, wherein the irradiation unit () comprises at least one optical element; and a vertical movement device () which is adapted to move the irradiation unit () vertically relative to the carrier (). The build chamber wall () and the carrier () are adapted to be connected to one another in a stationary manner during the vertical movement of the irradiation unit () so that the vertical movement takes place relative to the carrier () and relative to the build chamber wall ().

Device and method for producing three-dimensional workpieces

A powder circuit () for use in an apparatus () for producing three-dimensional work pieces by irradiating layers of a raw material powder with electromagnetic or particle radiation comprises a process chamber () accommodating a carrier () and a powder application device () for applying a raw material powder onto the carrier (), the process chamber () being provided with a powder inlet () for supplying raw material powder to the powder application device () and a powder outlet () for discharging excess raw material powder from the process chamber (). The powder circuit () further comprises a powder circulation line () connecting the powder outlet () of the process chamber () to the powder inlet () of the process chamber () and a conveying device () arranged in the powder circulation line () for conveying the raw material powder through the powder circulation line (). A sensor arrangement () is adapted to detect at least one of a parameter characteristic of a powder supply to the conveying device () and a parameter characteristic of a powder discharge from the conveying device (). A control unit () adapted to control operation of the conveying device () in dependence of at least one of the parameter characteristic of the powder supply to the conveying device () and the parameter characteristic of the powder discharge from the conveying device ().

Powder circuit for use in an apparatus for producing three-dimensional work pieces

An unpacking device for use in an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional work piece by irradiating layers of a raw material powder with electromagnetic or particle radiation, the unpacking device comprises a holding device which is configured to hold a building chamber arrangement. The building chamber arrangement comprises a building chamber accommodating a carrier, wherein the carrier is configured to receive a three-dimensional work piece produced from a raw material powder by an additive layering process. An engagement unit of the unpacking device is configured to engage with the carrier of the building chamber arrangement. A moving mechanism is configured to cause a relative movement between the building chamber and the engagement unit with the carrier engaged therewith so as to allow a separation of the carrier with a three-dimensional work piece received thereon from the building chamber. Finally, the unpacking device comprises a raw material powder removal mechanism which is configured to cause at least one of a vibration and a rotation of the engagement unit with the carrier engaged therewith so as to remove residual raw material powder from the three-dimensional work piece received on the carrier.

Unpacking device allowing residual raw material powder removal

A contact arrangement () for use in an apparatus () for producing three-dimensional work pieces by irradiating layers of a raw material powder with electromagnetic or particle radiation, the contact arrangement () comprises a replaceable building chamber () adapted to receive a work piece generated in the apparatus () by an additive layering process and a building chamber support element () adapted to support the replaceable building chamber (). A first contact element () is fastened to the replaceable building chamber () and comprises at least one first electrical conductor element (), the first electrical conductor element () being provided with a first planar conductor surface (). A second contact element () is fastened to the building chamber support element () and comprises at least one second electrical conductor element (), the second electrical conductor element () being provided with a second planar conductor surface (). The first planar conductor surface () provided on the first electrical conductor element () of the first contact element () and the second planar conductor surface () provided on the second electrical conductor element () of the second contact element () are adapted to interact with each other so as to establish an electrical contact between the replaceable building chamber () and the building chamber support element () when the replaceable building chamber () is supported on the building chamber support element ().

Contact arrangement for use in an apparatus for producing three-dimensional work pieces

Growing community of inventors

Luebeck, Germany

Bodo Haack