Apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects
An apparatus ( 1 ) for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects ( 3 ) by successive, selective layer-by-layer exposure and thus successive, selective layer-by-layer solidification of construction material layers of construction material ( 4 ) that can be solidified by means of an energy beam. The apparatus can include a process chamber ( 14 ) comprising a working plane (A) with a first working plane area (A 1 ) and another working plane area (A 2 ), a coating device ( 6 ) provided for forming construction material layers to be exposed selectively and to be solidified selectively in the construction plane (E) and comprising a coating element assembly group ( 8 ) which is movably supported, at least one coating element, a shielding device ( 18 ) provided for shielding the second working plane area (A 2 ), wherein the shielding device ( 18 ) can include at least one shielding band ( 20 ) guided movably along supporting points ( 19 ).
1. An apparatus ( 1 ) for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects ( 3 ) by successive, selective layer-by-layer exposure and thus successive, selective layer-by-layer solidification of construction material layers of construction material ( 4 ) that can be solidified by an energy beam, comprising:
a process chamber ( 14 ) comprising a working plane (A) which comprises a first working plane area (A 1 ) comprising a construction plane (E) and a second working plane area (A 2 ) in which at least a part of a coating device ( 6 ) is arranged,
wherein the coating device ( 6 ) provided for forming construction material layers to be exposed selectively and to be solidified selectively in the construction plane (E) and comprising a coating element assembly group ( 8 ) which is movably supported, especially relative to the construction plane (E), via a guiding device ( 9 ) and comprises at least one coating element, and
a shielding device ( 18 ) provided for shielding the second working plane area (A 2 ) from the intrusion of construction material ( 4 ) or impurities arising related to the process, wherein the shielding device ( 18 ) comprises at least one shielding band ( 20 ) guided movably along supporting points ( 19 ) which defines an interior ( 21 ), wherein the coating element assembly group ( 8 ) is coupled for movement with the shielding band ( 20 ) and the guiding device ( 9 ) guiding the coating element assembly group ( 8 ) is arranged or formed inside the interior ( 21 ).
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shielding device ( 18 ) comprises at least one outer shielding element ( 22 ) extending at least sectionally along the outer circumference of the shielding band ( 20 ), wherein the outer shielding element ( 22 ) abuts to the outer circumference of the shielding band ( 20 ) contacting it sectionally so that a movement of the shielding band ( 20 ) relative to the outer shielding element ( 22 ) results in a stripping effect of the outer shielding element ( 22 ).
3. An apparatus according to claim 2 , characterized in that the shielding device ( 18 ) comprises at least two outer shielding elements ( 22 ) in an opposing arrangement.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3 , characterized in that a respective outer shielding element ( 22 ) is arranged or formed in a deflection area in which the shielding band ( 20 ) is deflected via a supporting point ( 19 ) from a first extension direction to a second extension direction running angularly to that.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that an outer shielding element ( 22 ) comprises at least in the area contacting the outer circumference of the shielding band ( 20 ) a stripping section made of elastic material, especially elastomer, felt, or cellular material.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that an outer shielding element ( 22 ) is moved subject to force, especially subject to spring force, towards the outer circumference of the shielding band ( 20 ).
7. An apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shielding device ( 18 ) comprises at least one inner shielding element ( 23 ) extending at least sectionally along the inner circumference of the shielding band ( 20 ), wherein the inner shielding element ( 23 ) abuts to the inner circumference of the shielding band ( 20 ) contacting it sectionally so that a movement of the shielding band ( 20 ) relative to the inner shielding element ( 23 ) results in a stripping effect of the shielding element ( 23 ).
8. An apparatus according to claim 7 , characterized in that an inner stripping element ( 23 ) extends along the inner circumference of the shielding band ( 20 ) between two supporting points ( 19 ) along which the shielding band ( 20 ) extends.
9. An apparatus according to claim 7 , characterized in that an inner shielding element ( 23 ) is formed as or at least comprises a brush element which comprises several stripping bristles.
10. An apparatus according to claim 3 , characterized in that a free end of a first outer shielding element ( 22 ) facing a free end of a second outer shielding element ( 22 ) is arranged in the range of a first free end of an inner shielding element ( 23 ) facing it and a free end of the second outer shielding element ( 22 ) facing a free end of the first outer shielding element ( 22 ) is arranged in the range of a second free end of the inner shielding element ( 23 ) facing it.
11. An apparatus according to claim 10 , characterized in that in the area in which a free end of a first outer shielding element ( 22 ) facing a free end of a second outer shielding element ( 22 ) is arranged in the range of a first free end of the inner shielding element ( 23 ) facing it, an injection device comprising at least one, especially nozzle-type, injection element for blowing in or injecting, especially inert, gas is arranged or formed, and/or
in the area in which a free end of the second outer shielding element ( 22 ) facing a free end of the first outer shielding element ( 22 ) is arranged in the range of a second free end of the inner shielding element ( 23 ) facing it, an injection device comprising at least one, especially nozzle-type, injection element for blowing in or injecting, especially inert, gas is arranged or formed.
12. An apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shielding band ( 20 ) has at least one recess ( 25 ) which is reached through by the coating element assembly group ( 8 ), especially a coating arm ( 11 ) associated with it, at right angles to its longitudinal extension, wherein the coupling for movement between the shielding band ( 20 ) and the coating element assembly group ( 8 ) is formed by the coating element assembly group ( 8 ) reaching through the recess ( 25 ) in the shielding band ( 20 ).
13. An apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shielding band ( 20 ) has two free ends, wherein a first free end is attached to the coating element assembly group ( 8 ), especially to a coating arm ( 11 ) associated with it, via a first attachment point and a second free end is attached to the coating element assembly group ( 8 ), especially a coating arm ( 11 ) associated with it, via a second attachment point, wherein the coupling for movement between the shielding band ( 20 ) and the coating element assembly group ( 8 ) is formed by the attachment of the free ends of the shielding band ( 20 ) to the coating element assembly group ( 8 ), especially the coating arm associated with it.
14. An apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that the guiding device ( 9 ) comprises one or more, especially rail-like, guiding element(s) ( 9 a , 9 b ) provided for, especially linearly, movably supported guiding of the coating element assembly group ( 8 ) along a movement axis defined by the guiding elements ( 9 a , 9 b ).
15. An apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that the guiding device ( 9 ) is arranged or formed, especially hanging, above the working plane (A).
16. An apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that the coating element assembly group ( 8 ) comprises a first coating element in the form of a coating arm ( 11 ) coupled for movement with the guiding device ( 9 ) and another coating element in the form of a coating blade element ( 10 ) arranged on the coating arm ( 11 ) forming a coating blade.