IP Library Granted Patent US 12,515,404
Granted Patent B2
US 12,515,404 · App. 18/519,508 · Granted Jan 6, 2026

Plant for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects

Inventors: Florian Bechmann (Lichtenfels, DE); Ralf Hetzel (Bad Staffelstein, DE); Jens Stammberger (Rödental, DE); Fabian Zeulner (Lichtenfels, DE); Alexander Hofmann (Weismain, DE)
Assignee: Concept Laser GmbH
B29C64/259B22F10/00B22F12/38B22F12/50B29C64/00B29C64/153B29C64/20B29C64/25B29C64/255B29C64/314B29C64/393B33Y10/00B33Y30/00B22F3/004B22F10/28B22F10/32B22F12/57B22F12/86B22F12/88B22F12/90B22F2999/00B29C64/268B29C64/343B29C64/35B29C64/371B33Y50/02Y02P10/25
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,515,404
App. No.
18/519,508
Granted
Jan 6, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising one or more working stations, which are provided for performing at least one working process in the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, at least one freely positionable mobile storage unit comprising a rack-like storage device comprising at least one storage room provided for storing at least one powder module, especially for the purpose of conveying the powder module between different working stations of the system, and at least one driverless, freely movable mobile conveying unit comprising a receiving device provided for receiving at least one mobile storage unit for the purpose of conveying the storage unit between different working stations of the system.

Claims (21)

1 . A system for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, the system comprising:

at least one mobile storage unit comprising a rack storage device, the rack storage device comprising at least one storage room, the at least one mobile storage unit comprising a mounting device mounting at least one powder module in the at least one storage room; and

at least one mobile conveying unit comprising a receiving device provided for receiving the at least one mobile storage unit, the receiving device comprising a lifting device coupled to a receiving element for abutting against the at least one mobile storage unit, wherein the lifting device generates a lifting power for moving the receiving element, wherein the receiving element is moveably supported between an upper position in which the receiving element is provided to abut against the at least one mobile storage unit, and a lower position in which the receiving element is provided to be spaced apart from the at least one mobile storage unit; and

wherein the at least one storage room is formed by a frame structure comprising a plurality of wall-like wall, frame structure portions, wherein the plurality of wall-like wall, frame structure portions comprise first frame structure portions which delimit the at least one storage room and stand-like stand, second frame structure portions that enable the at least one mobile storage unit to be set down on a foundation.

2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting device movably mounts the at least one powder module with respect to the frame structure.

3 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein a clearance exists between the first frame structure portions and the foundation.

4 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first frame structure portions delimit the at least one storage room at a bottom of the at least one storage room and a ceiling of the at least one storage room.

5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first frame structure portions laterally delimit the at least one storage room.

6 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving device is moveable between an upper position against one of the first frame structure portions delimiting a bottom of the at least one storage room on one side and in a lower position to be spaced apart from the one of the first frame structure portions.

7 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of working stations for the at least one mobile conveying unit to convey the at least one mobile storage unit between.

8 . The system according to claim 7 , wherein at least one of the plurality of working stations comprises at least one transfer interface, via which the at least one powder module can be transferred from the at least one working station to the at least one mobile storage unit.

9 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one mobile conveying unit can be moved into a defined docking position, in which the at least one mobile conveying unit is moved relative to the transfer interface such that the at least one powder module can be transferred from the at least one working station into the at least one storage room of the at least one mobile storage unit received on the at least one mobile conveying unit.

10 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one transfer interface can be closed by a closing device, wherein the closing device comprises a closing element, which can be movably supported between an open position, in which the at least one transfer interface is released for transferring the at least one powder module from the at least one working station into the at least one storage room of the at least one mobile storage unit or for transferring the at least one powder module from the at least one storage room of the at least one mobile storage unit into the at least one working station, and a closed position, in which the at least one transfer interface is not released for transferring the at least one powder module from the at least one working station into the at least one storage room of the at least one mobile storage unit or for transferring the at least one powder module from the at least one storage room of the at least one mobile storage unit into the at least one working station.

11 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one powder module comprises a powder chamber for receiving and/or dispensing construction material.

12 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one powder module comprises a process chamber, a collector module, and/or an overflow module, configured for being filled with non-solidified construction material.

13 . The system according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one powder module further comprises a construction module within which additive construction of objects is performed.

14 . The system according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one powder module further comprises one or more walls that define a powder room and a carrying device movably supported within the powder room.

15 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one mobile conveying unit further comprises:

a drive device provided for generating a drive force; and

a power transmission device coupled with the drive device, the power transmission device provided for transmitting the drive force to the foundation for generating a movement of the at least one mobile conveying unit.

16 . The system according to claim 15 , wherein the power transmission device transmits the drive force to the foundation to move the at least one mobile conveying unit along different configurable trajectories.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2023
From: HETZEL, RALF; STAMMBERGER, JENS; ZEULNER, FABIAN; BECHMANN, FLORIAN; HOFMANN, ALEXANDER
To: CL SCHUTZRECHTSVERWALTUNGS GMBH
Reel/Frame 065667/0019 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 27, 2023
From: CL SCHUTZRECHTSVERWALTUNGS GMBH; CONCEPT LASER GMBH
To: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
Reel/Frame 065677/0547 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102016121769.7 · Nov 14, 2016 · national
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17091857 · Nov 6, 2020
Continuation 15812359 · Nov 14, 2017
Related Publication 20240092021A1 · Mar 21, 2024
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