Apparatus for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects

1. An apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects, the apparatus comprising:

a process chamber defining a process region, the process chamber configured for successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material with an energy beam;

a build chamber;

a dose module configured to provide build material to the build chamber;

an overflow module configured to receive excess build material having been provided to the build chamber;

a tool carrier disposed within the process chamber;

a streaming device configured to generate at least one stream of process gas; and

a chamber separation device separating the process region into a first sub-region and a second sub-region, the chamber separation device comprising at least one separation element, respective ones of the at least one separation element being movable, at least partially in a vertical direction relative to a vertical axis, between a first position and a second position, the first position providing a passageway allowing access for the tool carrier to move from the first sub-region at least partially into the second sub-region, and the second position separating the second sub-region from the at least one stream of process gas flowing through the first sub-region, wherein the first sub-region extends over the build chamber, the dose module, and the overflow module with the at least one separation element in the second position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one separation element is moveable with respect to either a position or a movement of the tool carrier.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tool carrier comprises a carrier for a coater.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one chamber separation device provides a smooth surface facing the process region with the at least one separation element in the second position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one separation element is vertically moveable at an oblique angle relative to the vertical axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one separation element is configured in at least one position to only partly separate the second sub-region from the at least one stream of process gas flowing through the first sub-region.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the dose module comprises a first sidewall facing the build chamber;

the overflow module comprises a second sidewall facing the build chamber; and

the first sub-region extends laterally above a build plane defined by a successive layer of build material in the build chamber, substantially from the first sidewall to the second sidewall.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one separation element is deformable by a movement of the tool carrier.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one separation element comprises a flexible material or is at least partially built of a flexible material.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a shape of the tool carrier is suited to a shape of a corresponding one of the at least one separation element.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tool carrier is configured to at least partly turn down a corresponding one of the at least one separation element by moving perpendicular to a coating direction.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one separation element is pivotable or is built as a pivotable flap.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , comprising:

a sucking unit configured to suck process gas from the process chamber, the at least one separation element being mounted to the suction unit.

14. A method for operating an apparatus of claim 1 comprising:

irradiating and consolidating a first layer of build material in a build chamber within the first sub-region of the process chamber with the chamber separation device in the second position;

supplying, with a streaming device, a stream of process gas through the first sub-region of the process chamber with the chamber separation device in the second position;

moving the chamber separation device, at least partially in a vertical direction relative to a vertical axis, from the second position to the first position;

moving the tool carrier from the second sub-region at least partially into the first sub-region and the back into the second sub-region;

moving the chamber separation device, at least partially in a vertical direction relative to a vertical axis, from the first position to the second position;

providing, with a dose module within the first sub-region of the process chamber with the chamber separation device in the second position, build material to the build chamber;

irradiating and consolidating a second layer of build material within the first sub-region of the process chamber; and

receiving, with an overflow module within the first sub-region of the process chamber with the chamber separation device in the second position, excess build material having been provided to the build chamber.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one separation element is moveable with respect to either a position or a movement of the tool carrier.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the tool carrier comprises a carrier for a coater.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one chamber separation device provides a smooth surface facing the process region with the at least one separation element in the second position.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one separation element is vertically moveable at an oblique angle relative to the vertical axis.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the process chamber comprises:

a first sidewall of the dose module, the first sidewall facing the build chamber; and

a second sidewall of the overflow module, the second sidewall facing the build chamber;

wherein the first sub-region extends laterally above a build plane defined by a successive layer of build material in the build chamber, substantially from the first sidewall to the second sidewall.