DEVICE FOR STORAGE OF MODULAR FUNCTIONAL UNITS

1 . A device ( 1 ) for storage of modular functional units ( 2 ) to be used in the context of the generative production of three-dimensional objects, characterized by

a storage device ( 7 ) with several storage partitions ( 9 ) which are configured for storage of at least one functional unit ( 2 ) of a modular type, and

a handling device ( 8 ) assignable or assigned to the storage device ( 7 ) for the handling of at least one modular functional unit ( 2 ), which is configured for application of at least one modular functional unit ( 2 ) in a given storage partition ( 9 ) and/or for removal of at least one modular functional unit ( 2 ) in a given storage partition ( 9 ) from this or any other given storage partition ( 9 ).

2 . A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the handling device ( 8 ) is configured as one gripping device ( 13 ) or at least comprises such a device including a handling or gripping component ( 12 ).

3 . A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the storage device ( 7 ) comprises a shelf-like construction with storage partitions ( 9 ) arranged or configured in different rows and/or columns.

4 . A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that there is

a functional unit ( 2 ) configured as a construction module ( 2 a ) comprising a building board ( 2 ) that is movable, specifically height-adjustable, relative to a base body of the construction module ( 2 a ), and on which building board generative construction of a three-dimensional object is carried out, or

a functional unit ( 2 ) is configured as an overflow module ( 2 b ) comprising a typically chamber-like recording space ( 5 ) configured for the recording of non-solidified construction material ( 4 ) in the context of the generative manufacture of a three-dimensional object, or

a functional unit ( 2 ) is configured as a dosing module ( 2 c ) comprising at least one typically chamber-like recording space ( 5 ) configured for the recording of construction material ( 4 ) to be solidified in the generative manufacture of a three-dimensional object and, a dosing device for dosing a given amount of construction material ( 4 ), which is to be solidified, from the recording space ( 5 ).

5 . A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one recording device ( 14 ) is assignable to or assigned to a storage partition ( 9 ), which is configured

for the recording of a functional unit ( 2 ) in the storage partition ( 9 ) in question and/or

for the recording of at least one status parameter, particularly the functionality, of at least one functional element of a functional unit ( 2 ) located in the storage partition ( 9 ) in question and/or

for the recording of at least one, especially physical, status parameter within a recording space ( 5 ) having at least in part sections filled with construction material ( 4 ) of a functional unit ( 2 ) designated in the given storage partition ( 9 ) and/or

for the recording of the fill level of a construction material ( 4 ), which is received in a recording space ( 5 ) of a functional unit ( 2 ) located in the storage partition ( 9 ) in question and/or

for the recording of at least one status parameter of a construction material ( 4 ), which is received in a recording space ( 5 ) of a functional unit ( 2 ) in the respective storage partition ( 9 ).

6 . A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that a tempering device ( 16 ) can be assignable or is assigned to at least one storage partition ( 9 ) and is configured for tempering at least one recording space ( 5 ) of a functional unit ( 2 ) in the given storage partition ( 9 ), filled with construction material ( 4 ), in particular at least in sections, and/or for tempering a construction material ( 4 ) that is in a recording space ( 5 ) of a functional unit ( 2 ) of the storage partition ( 9 ).

7 . A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that an inerting device ( 17 ) can be assignable or is assigned to at least one storage partition ( 9 ) and is configured for inertizing at least one recording space ( 5 ) filled with construction material ( 4 ), in particular at least in sections, in a functional unit ( 2 ) of the respective storage partition ( 9 ).

8 . A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one filling device ( 18 ) can be assignable or is assigned to at least one storage partition ( 9 ) and is configured for the filling of at least one recording space ( 5 ) of a functional unit ( 2 ) of the respective storage partition ( 9 ) with construction material ( 4 ), and/or at least one emptying device ( 19 ) assignable or assigned to a storage partition ( 9 ) that is configured for emptying of construction material ( 4 ) located in at least one recording space ( 5 ) of a functional unit ( 2 ) in the respective storage partition ( 9 ).

9 . A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one security device ( 20 ) can be assignable or is assigned to at least one storage partition ( 9 ) and is configured for security fixed in position of at least one functional unit ( 2 ) in a storage partition ( 9 ), whereby the security device ( 20 ) comprises at least one especially mechanically or magnetically operating security element.

10 . A device according to claim 1 , characterized by a control device ( 21 ) for the control of the tempering device ( 16 ) and/or the inerting device ( 17 ) and/or the filling device ( 18 ) and/or the emptying device ( 19 ) and/or the security device ( 20 ) depending of at least one of the recording results of the recording device ( 14 ).

11 . A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that single, several, or all storage partitions ( 9 ) are spatially defined by walls ( 11 ), whereby at least one wall ( 11 ) is displaceable relative to at least a further wall ( 11 ), so that a storage partition ( 9 ), spatially limited in its dimensions, is alterable by the minimum one displaceable wall ( 11 ) and at least a further wall ( 11 ) through movement of at least one displaceably-mounted wall ( 11 ) relative to at least a further wall ( 11 ).

12 . A facility ( 15 ) for the generative manufacture of three-dimensional objects comprising:

at least one device ( 1 ) for the storage of modular functional units ( 2 ) to be used in the context of the generative production of three-dimensional objects according to claim 1 ,

at least one device ( 6 ) for the generative manufacture of three-dimensional objects by successive layered selective solidification of construction material layers from solidifiable construction material ( 4 ) by means of at least one energy beam including at least one device for generating at least one energy beam for layered selective solidification of individual construction material layers from solidifiable construction material ( 4 ).

13 . A facility according to claim 12 , characterized in that at least one device ( 1 ) for storage of modular functional units ( 2 ) of at least one device ( 6 ) used in the context of the generative manufacture of three-dimensional objects is applied upstream or downstream.

14 . A facility according to claim 12 , characterized in that it comprises several separate devices ( 1 ), whereby in a given case inertable transport devices are provided between separate devices ( 1 ), so that functional units ( 2 ) can be transported back and forth between separate devices ( 1 ).