Method for Manufacturing a Customer-Specific Component of a Field Device

1 - 16 . (canceled)

17 . A method for manufacturing a customer-specific component of a field device for determining or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium, wherein the field device is applied in process automation technology, wherein the component is composed of at least one material, comprising the steps of:

predetermining material and/or structure and/or shape of the component via digital description data; and

producing the component in a 3D printing method, i.e. in a generative manufacturing method, in accordance with the predetermined digital description data.

18 . The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the digital description data are preferably won in the following way:

specifying at least one structurally related and/or material related, boundary condition of the component and/or a boundary condition relevant to the functionality of the component and/or at least one external boundary condition, which takes into consideration influence of environmental conditions on the component at the location of use;

optimizing the structure of the component via a finite elements model based on the at least one structurally related and/or material related, boundary condition and/or the at least one boundary condition relevant to the functionality of the component and/or the at least one environmental condition, wherein the optimized structure of the component is described by the digital description data;

transferring the digital description data, which describe the optimized structure of the component, to a 3D printer; and

printing the component in accordance with the digital description data.

19 . The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein:

the component is produced by the manufacturer or the distributor of the field device and provided to the operator of the field device.

20 . The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein:

the description data for manufacturing the components are provided by the manufacturer or the distributor of the field device; and

the 3D printing method is performed on-site by or for the operator of the field device.

21 . The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein:

used as material is at least one metal or at least one plastic; and

a selective laser melting or a selective laser sintering is used as 3D printing method.

22 . The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein:

used as material is at least one metal; and

applied as generative manufacturing method for the at least one metal is laser deposition welding or the metal powder application method (MPA).

23 . The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein:

used as material is at least one plastic; and

fused deposition modeling or multi-jet modeling is applied as 3D printing method for the at least one plastic.

24 . The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein:

used as material is at least one ceramic; and

color jet printing (CJP) is used as 3D printing method for the ceramic.

25 . The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein:

the at least one material and/or the at least one 3D printer are/is certified, so that they/it are/is suitable for manufacturing a material- and/or pressure loaded component.

26 . A component for a field device of automation technology, manufactured by a method for manufacturing a customer-specific component of a field device for determining or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium, wherein the field device is applied in process automation technology, wherein the component is composed of at least one material, comprising the steps of: predetermining material and/or structure and/or shape of the component via digital description data; and producing the component in a 3D printing method, i.e. in a generative manufacturing method, in accordance with the predetermined digital description data, wherein:

the component is a replacement part, a wear part or a conversion part for a field device.

27 . The component as claimed in claim 26 , wherein:

a coding is provided in the region of the connecting part of the component with a corresponding connecting part of the field device.

28 . The component as claimed in claim 27 , wherein:

the coding is embodied country, device parameter and/or customer specifically.

29 . The component as claimed in claim 27 , wherein:

the coding is uniquely embodied, so that the component is usable only in connection with the field device identifiable especially by a unique serial number.

30 . The component as claimed in claim 27 , wherein:

the coding is a mechanical key, lock coding.

31 . The component as claimed in claim 26 , wherein:

the component is manufactured of at least two different materials.

32 . The component as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the component is especially:

a freely radiating antenna for a radar measuring device based on the travel time principle, wherein the antenna of a conductive material has an insert or attachment of a non-conductive material;

a component having a seal, wherein component and seal are preferably manufactured of different materials;

a feedthrough of plastic, ceramic or glass for electrical lines with integrated electrical lines;

an electronics housing of plastic containing an EMC shielding;

a field device component coming in contact with a medium and having a protective coating in the surface region; and

a field device component coming in contact with a medium and having a biocidal coating in the surface region.