Method and apparatus for producing 3D moldings by layering technology, using a core cleaning station

1 . A cleaning station suitable for for removing a residual powder from a 3D molding, comprising:

a housing with an opening, wherein the opening is optionally closable,

a bead shower generator for generating a bead shower or a container for receiving beads, and

a depositing means,

wherein the depositing means movable in X, Y, Z axes of the depositing means or is pivotable;

wherein the depositing means has a depositing surface for the 3D molding, or a fixing device for the 3D molding;

wherein the bead shower generator primarily removes non-solidified residual powder from the 3D molding, thereby freeing the 3D molding from the non-solidified residual powder;

wherein the bead shower generator is free of an air jet and the cleaning station optionally includes an air jet generator for cleaning the 3D molding after cleaning with the bead shower.

2 . The cleaning station according to claim 1 , wherein beads from the cleaning station are cleaned by a cleaning means, the cleaning means being disposed inside or outside the cleaning station,

optionally, wherein the cleaning means is located outside of and above or below the cleaning station;

wherein the cleaning means separates a contaminant from the beads.

3 . The cleaning station according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning station includes the bead shower generator,

wherein the cleaning station includes a means for recycling beads from the bead shower,

wherein the means for recycling beads includes a tube chain conveyor or a vacuum conveyor, and

wherein the beads of the bead shower or the beads in the container includes beads selected from the group consisting of zeolites, orange gel, silica gel, one or more clay minerals, one or more diatomites, one or more sepiolites, and any combination thereof.

4 . A 3D printing apparatus, comprising the cleaning station of claim 1 , and a recoater for applying particulate construction material in layers of 0.05 to 0.5 mm on a construction field.

5 . A method for cleaning a 3D molding, wherein the 3D molding is cleaned with the cleaning station of claim 1 .

6 . A method for cleaning 3D moldings, wherein a 3D molding is introduced into the cleaning station according to claim 1 , the cleaning station optionally being substantially closed; wherein the 3D molding is exposed to the bead shower or is introduced into the container with beads; optionally, wherein the container can be pivoted and/or moved in the X, Y and/or Z directions.

7 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein the 3D molding is moved in the X, Y, and/or Z directions while exposed to the bead shower or while in the container with the beads, or/and;

wherein the beads of the bead shower are recycled in a circuit, optionally by means of tube chain conveyors or vacuum conveyors,

wherein a bead storage container is positioned above or below the cleaning station, or a bead collection tray is positioned at the bottom of the cleaning station;

wherein beads from the bead shower are cleaned and separated from contaminants before returning to the bead shower generator.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the 3D molding is introduced into the cleaning station by gripping means or manually,

optionally, wherein the gripping means is a robotic device that is three-dimensionally controllable.

9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the 3D molding is removed directly from a 3D printing apparatus by gripping means and is introduced into the cleaning station by the gripping means, optionally wherein the 3D molding is positioned in a holding frame.

10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the 3D molding is:

held on a gripping means in the cleaning station wherein the 3D molding is cleaned in this position, or

positioned on the depositing means wherein the depositing means can be moved and/or pivoted in X, Y, Z axes of the depositing means and/or the depositing means has a depositing surface for the 3D molding and/or the depositing means has the depositing surface for the 3D molding and the depositing surface has the fixing device for the 3D molding.

11 . The cleaning station of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning station comprises a means for recycling beads.

12 . The cleaning station of claim 11 , wherein the cleaning station includes the depositing means which is pivotable or movable in its X, Y, Z axes, wherein the depositing means has the depositing surface for the 3D molding or the fixing device for the 3D molding.

13 . The cleaning station of claim 2 , wherein the cleaning means is located outside of and above or below the cleaning station.

14 . The cleaning station of claim 2 , wherein the cleaning station includes a means for recycling beads having a tube chain conveyor.

15 . The cleaning station of claim 2 , wherein the cleaning station includes a means for recycling beads having a vacuum conveyor.

16 . The cleaning station of claim 2 , wherein the beads of the bead shower or the beads in the container include beads of a material selected from the group consisting of a zeolite, an orange gel, a silica gel, one or more clay minerals, one or more diatomites, one or more sepiolites, or any combination thereof.

17 . A method for removing a residual particulate material from a 3D molding comprising steps of:

i) introducing the 3D molding into a cleaning station, wherein the 3D molding is partially freed of particulate material and the 3D molding includes the particulate material bound by a binder; and

ii) exposing the 3D molding to a bead shower, wherein the bead shower primarily removes the residual particulate material from the 3D molding, thereby freeing the 3D molding from the residual particulate material;

wherein the cleaning station comprises a housing with an opening, and a container in which beads can be provided to the bead shower or returned to the bead shower;

wherein the bead shower is generated by a bead shower generator that is free of an air jet.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the beads and the particulate material are different materials, wherein the beads are round or rounded;

wherein the 3D molding is formed of the particulate material bound by the binder;

optionally, wherein the beads include a zeolite, an orange gel, a silica gel, a clay mineral, a diatomite, or a sepiolite;

optionally wherein the method includes a step of cleaning the beads, including separating the beads from a contaminant;

optionally wherein the method includes manufacturing the 3D molding in a device including a coater for generating a defined layer of the particulate material on a construction platform or inclined plane;

optionally wherein the particulate material includes a polymer, a ceramic, or a metal.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein:

the beads and the particulate material are different materials;

the beads are round or rounded;

the beads include a zeolite, an orange gel, a silica gel, a clay mineral, a diatomite, or a sepiolite;

the method includes a step of cleaning the beads, including separating the beads from a contaminant;

the method includes manufacturing the 3D molding in a device including a coater for generating a defined layer of the particulate material on a construction platform or inclined plane; and

the particulate material includes a polymer, a ceramic, or a metal.

20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the 3D molding includes joined particulate material, wherein the cleaning station removes loose particulate material from the joined particulate material.

21 . A method for cleaning a 3D molding with the cleaning station of claim 1 , the method comprising steps of:

i) introducing the 3D molding into a cleaning station, wherein the 3D molding is partially freed of particulate material;

ii) cleaning the 3D molding with beads in the cleaning station; and

iii) separating the beads from a contaminant.

22 . The method of claim 21 ,

wherein the beads and the particulate material are different and the beads are round or rounded;

optionally, wherein the cleaning station cleans the 3D molding with a bead shower;

optionally, wherein the bead shower is combined with an air jet;

optionally, wherein the cleaning station includes a container having a volume of 10 to 1,000 liters for receiving beads;

optionally, wherein the beads are collected, transported or vacuumed and returned to a container for receiving beads.

23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein:

the beads and the particulate material are different and the beads are round or rounded;

the cleaning station cleans the 3D molding with a bead shower;

the bead shower is combined with an air jet;

the cleaning station includes a container having volume of 10 to 1,000 liters for receiving beads; and

the beads are collected, transported or vacuumed and returned to a container for receiving beads.

24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the 3D molding includes joined particulate material, wherein the cleaning station removes loose particulate material from the joined particulate material.

25 . A method for removing unjoined particulate material from a 3D molding comprising the steps of:

i) constructing the 3D molding in a 3D printing device including a coater or recoater, wherein the 3D molding has a predetermined shape and is formed of particulate material joined by a binder in a bed of the unjoined particulate material;

ii) conveying the 3D molding from the 3D printing device to a cleaning station with a robotic device, wherein the 3D molding is partially freed of unjoined particulate material; and

iii) cleaning the 3D molding in the cleaning station with beads;

wherein the cleaning station primarily removes loose particulate material from the joined particulate material, wherein the joined particulate material remains in the 3D molding;

wherein the cleaning station includes a bead shower generator that is free of an air jet.

26 . The method of claim 25 ,

wherein the cleaning station has brushes and the cleaning station has a housing and a closable opening;

optionally, wherein the beads are rounded and different from the particulate material;

optionally, wherein the cleaning of the 3D molding is automated;

optionally, wherein the cleaning station includes a depositing means including a receiving unit or a surface for depositing the 3D molding, wherein the depositing means is movable or pivotable.

27 . The method of claim 25 , wherein:

the cleaning station has brushes and the cleaning station has a housing and a closable opening;

the beads are rounded and different from the particulate material;

the cleaning of the 3D molding is automated;

the cleaning station includes a depositing means including a receiving unit or a surface for depositing the 3D molding; and

the depositing means is movable or pivotable.