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NL2013865B1 - Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing. - Google Patents

Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing. Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2013865B1
NL2013865B1 NL2013865A NL2013865A NL2013865B1 NL 2013865 B1 NL2013865 B1 NL 2013865B1 NL 2013865 A NL2013865 A NL 2013865A NL 2013865 A NL2013865 A NL 2013865A NL 2013865 B1 NL2013865 B1 NL 2013865B1
Authority
NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
devices
working area
solidifying
stinning
bath
Prior art date
Application number
NL2013865A
Other languages
Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Herman Else Vaes Mark
Peter Albert Van Haendel Rob
Original Assignee
Additive Ind Bv
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to NL2013865A priority Critical patent/NL2013865B1/en
Application filed by Additive Ind Bv filed Critical Additive Ind Bv
Priority to EP18205024.5A priority patent/EP3461622A1/en
Priority to CN201580074369.XA priority patent/CN107454868B/en
Priority to CN201911057356.8A priority patent/CN110757796B/en
Priority to US15/528,892 priority patent/US11458539B2/en
Priority to PCT/NL2015/050819 priority patent/WO2016085334A2/en
Priority to CN202010082052.3A priority patent/CN111215629B/en
Priority to EP15830898.1A priority patent/EP3224025B1/en
Priority to JP2017545847A priority patent/JP6843756B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2013865B1 publication Critical patent/NL2013865B1/en
Priority to JP2021027758A priority patent/JP2021091970A/en
Priority to JP2021027766A priority patent/JP7059411B2/en
Priority to US17/833,342 priority patent/US20220297188A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/10—Processes of additive manufacturing
    • B29C64/141—Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials
    • B29C64/153—Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Powder Metallurgy (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing. The apparatus comprises a process chamber for receiving a bath of material which can be solidified, wherein a surface level of the bath of material defines an object working area; a support for positioning the object in relation to the surface level of the bath of material; a plurality of solidifying devices, each arranged for solidifying a selective part of the material, wherein each of the plurality of solidifying devices is arranged for being able to operate in substantially the entire object working area; and control means arranged for controlling the plurality of solidifying devices. The control means are arranged for simultaneously operating the plurality of solidifying devices in different parts of the object working area.

Description

Title: Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing
Description
The invention relates to an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, comprising a process chamber for receiving a bath of material which can be solidified, wherein a surface level of the bath of material defines an object working area; a support for positioning the object in relation to the surface level of the bath of material; and a plurality of solidifying devices, each arranged for solidifying a selective part of the material. 3D printing or additive manufacturing refers to any of various processes for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. Traditional techniques like injection molding can be less expensive for manufacturing, for example, polymer products in high quantities, but 3D printing or additive manufacturing can be faster, more flexible and less expensive when producing relatively small quantities of three-dimensional objects.
It is anticipated that additive manufacturing becomes more and more important in the future, as the increasing competitive pressure forces companies to not only manufacture more economically with a constant high product quality but also to save time and costs in the area of product development. The life span of products is continuously shortened. In addition to product quality and product costs, the moment of market introduction is becoming increasingly important for the success of a product.
The three-dimensional object may be produced by selectively solidifying, in a layer-like fashion, a powder, paper or sheet material to produce a three-dimensional, 3D, object. In particular, a computer controlled additive manufacturing apparatus may be used which sequentially sinters a plurality of layers to build the desired object in a layer-by-layer fashion. Primarily additive processes are used, in which successive layers of material are laid down under computer control. These objects can be of almost any shape or geometry, and are produced from a 3D model or other electronic data source.
In order to print a three-dimensional object, a printable model is to be created with a computer design package or via a 3D scanner, for example. Usually, the input is a 3D CAD file such as an STL file, a STEP file or a IGS file.
Before printing the object from a CAD file, the file is to be processed by a piece of software, which converts the model into a series of thin subsequent layers. Further, apparatus settings and vectors are generated for controlling the creation of each of the subsequent layers. A laser comprised in the computer controlled additive manufacturing apparatus follows these settings and vectors to solidify successive layers of material to built the 3D object from a series of cross sections. These layers, which correspond to the virtual cross sections from the CAD model, are during this process joined or fused at the same time to create the final 3D object.
To reduce operational costs of the apparatus, it is an object to fully utilize the capacity of the apparatus and, at the same time, make sure that the total production lead time of a three dimensional object is minimized, i.e. the production queue is minimized.
It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing, with which an object may be more quickly produced, in a cost effective way.
To this end, the invention provides an apparatus according to claim 1. According to the invention the apparatus comprises a plurality of solidifying devices, wherein each of the plurality of solidifying devices is arranged for being able to operate in substantially the entire object working area; as well as control means arranged for controlling the plurality of solidifying devices, wherein the control means are arranged for simultaneously operating the plurality of solidifying devices in different parts of the object working area. With this, the plurality of solidifying devices may be controlled to work in substantially the entire object working area, such as for instance, at least 80%, preferably at least 90% of the object working area, such that it is possible to solidify different parts of a single object, in the same process chamber, at the same time. By simultaneously solidifying different parts of a single object, this object may be produced more quickly, and total production time of the object may be decreased. In particular, this means that with the apparatus according to the invention a larger number of objects may be produced in a given time unit, compared to devices known from the prior art. With this, the object of the invention is achieved.
In an embodiment, the plurality of solidifying devices are arranged for emitting electromagnetic radiation. In an embodiment, the type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plurality of solidifying devices may be the same for each and every solidifying device. However, it is conceivable, in an embodiment, that the type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plurality of solidifying devices differs for at least two of the plurality of solidifying devices.
In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of deflector means arranged for deflecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by each of the plurality of solidifying devices. Said deflector means are known per se, but the use of a plurality of such deflector means allows simultaneous solidifying of the layer of material for quicker production times, as well as for a compact construction of the apparatus.
In an embodiment, the plurality of deflector means are positioned near a line perpendicular to the plane defined by the object working area, and which line passes through geometrical centre of gravity of the object working area. In other words, the deflector means are substantially provided above a centre part of the object working area. This allows each of the plurality of solidifying devices to be able to reach substantially the entire object working area, such that, for instance, simultaneous solidifying of different parts of a single object may occur.
In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a total number of four solidifying devices. A total number of four devices provides for improved speed of manufacturing, whilst being able to keep a compact design of the apparatus, and whilst keeping total costs of the apparatus under control. Likewise, a total number of four deflector means may be provided. The four solidifying devices and four deflector means may be arranged in a geometrical pattern.
According to an aspect, the invention provides a method for producing an object by means additive manufacturing, in particular using an apparatus as described above. The method comprises the steps of providing a bath of material which can be solidified, wherein a surface level of the bath of material defines an object working area. According to the invention, the method comprises the step of simultaneously operating a plurality of solidifying devices in substantially the entire object working area for simultaneously solidifying different parts of the product to be produced. In other words, the capacity of the plurality of solidifying devices is combined to produce a single product.
It is noted that the advantages of the invention are also achieved when the plurality of solidifying devices are used for producing several products. It is conceivable that each solidifying device is used for producing a respective of a plurality of products. However, the plurality of solidifying devices may be used, according to the method of the invention, for producing different parts of a single product to be produced, at a given moment. This speeds up the time with which this product, or layer of the product, may be produced.
In an embodiment, the method comprises the step of solidifying a contour of the object to be produced with one of the plurality of solidifying devices, and simultaneously solidifying an internal part of the object to be produced with a further of the plurality of solidifying devices.
In an embodiment, the method comprises the step of solidifying parts of the object working area by means of electromagnetic radiation.
Embodiments of the invention will be described in the following in connection with the Figures. In the Figures
Figure 1 is an overview of an apparatus according to the present invention for additive manufacturing an object;
Figure 2 is a top view of the object working area in the apparatus according to the invention.
Figure 1 shows an overview of an apparatus 1, for producing an object 2 by means of additive manufacturing, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 1 is build from several frame parts 11, 12, 13. The apparatus comprises a process chamber 3 for receiving a bath of material 4 which can be solidified. In a lower frame part 11, a shaft is formed, wherein a support 5 is provided for positioning the object 2 in relation to the surface level L of the bath of material 4. The support 5 is movably provided in the shaft, such that after solidifying a layer, the support 5 may be lowered, and a further layer of material may be solidified on top of the part of the object 2 already formed. In a top part 13 of the apparatus 1, a first solidifying device 7 is provided for solidifying a selective part of the material by means of electromagnetic radiation. As can be seen, the electromagnetic radiation 71 emitted by the laser device 7 is deflected by means of a first rotatable deflector unit 75 to direct the emitted radiation 71 towards the surface L of the layer of material 4. In the top part 13 of the apparatus 1, a further solidifying device 7 is provided for solidifying a further selective part of the material.
The top part 13 of the apparatus 1 also comprises a further solidifying device 7 for solidifying a selective part of the material by means of electromagnetic radiation. As can be seen, the electromagnetic radiation 7T emitted by the further laser device 7’ is deflected by means of a further rotatable deflector unit 75’ to direct the emitted radiation 71’ thereof towards the surface L of the layer of material 4.
In the embodiment shown, the solidifying device 7 and the further solidifying device 7’ are laser devices, which is arranged for producing electromagnetic radiation in the form of laser light, in order to melt a powdered material provided on the support, which then, after cooling forms a solidified part of the object to be produced. However, the invention is not limited to this type of solidifying device, but comprises in general solidifying devices that use electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, the type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plurality of solidifying devices may be the same for each and every solidifying device, although it is conceivable that the type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plurality of solidifying devices differs for at least two of the plurality of solidifying devices.
It can be seen furthermore in Fig. 1, that the plurality of deflector means 75, 75’ are positioned near a line C perpendicular to the plane defined by the object working area L, and which line C passes through geometrical centre of gravity of the object working area L. In other words, the deflector means 75, 75’ are substantially provided above a centre part of the object working area L. This allows each of the plurality of solidifying devices to easily reach substantially the entire object working area, such that, for instance, simultaneous solidifying of different parts of a single object may occur.
The above will be better understood from Fig. 2, which shows a top view of the object working area L. Here the apparatus comprises a total of four solidifying devices, each being able to direct a beam of electromagnetic radiation 73-73’” to the object working area. A total number of four devices provides for improved speed of manufacturing, whilst being able to keep a compact design of the apparatus, and whilst keeping total costs of the apparatus under control. Likewise, a total number of four deflector means may be provided. The four solidifying devices and four deflector means may be arranged in a geometrical pattern. Fig. 2 shows the central or neutral position of each of the electromagnetic radiation beams 73-73”’, and said position may be changed, during operation of the apparatus, by means of deflecting the electromagnetic radiation via the plurality of deflector means. Since the plurality of deflector means are substantially located above the centre part C of the object working area, which means that the central or neutral position of each of the electromagnetic radiation beams 73-73”’ is located more towards the centre part C than to a peripheral part P of the object working area, it is relatively easy for each of the plurality of beams of electromagnetic radiation to reach substantially the entire object working area. Thus, this enables, amongst others, to simultaneously solidify different parts of a single object.
Referring back to Fig. 1, it can be seen that the apparatus 1 further comprises control means 74 arranged for controlling the plurality of solidifying devices 7, 7’, wherein the control means are arranged for simultaneously operating the plurality of solidifying devices 7, 7’ in different parts of the object working area L.
Thus, with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, the plurality of solidifying devices 7, 7’ may be controlled to work in substantially the entire object working area L, such that it is possible to solidify different parts of a single object 2 at the same time. By simultaneously solidifying different parts of a single object, this object may be produced more quickly, and total production time of the object may be decreased.
The invention is described above by means of preferred embodiments. The invention is not limited to these embodiments, however. The desired protection is determined by the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. Inrichting voor het vervaardigen van een object door middel van additive manufacturing, omvattende: een proceskamer voor het ontvangen van een bad van poedervormig materiaal dat stolbaar is, waarbij een oppervlakteniveau van het bad aan materiaal een werkgebied van het object definieert; een ondersteuning voor het positioneren van het object met betrekking tot het oppervlakte niveau van het bad aan materiaal; een veelheid stolinrichtingen, die elk zijn ingericht voor het stollen van selectieve gedeeltes van het materiaal, waarbij elk van de veelheid stolinrichtingen is ingericht om in staat te zijn om werkzaam te zijn in ten minste in hoofdzaak het volledige werkgebied van het object; en - regelmiddelen die zijn ingericht om de veelheid stolinrichtingen te regelen, waarbij de regelmiddelen zijn ingericht om de veelheid stolinrichtingen tegelijkertijd werkzaam te laten zijn in verschillende gedeeltes van het werkgebied van het object.An apparatus for manufacturing an object by means of additive manufacturing, comprising: a process chamber for receiving a bath of powdered material that can be solidified, wherein a surface level of the bath of material defines a working area of the object; a support for positioning the object with respect to the surface level of the bath of material; a plurality of stinning devices, each of which is adapted to solidify selective portions of the material, each of the plurality of stinning devices being adapted to be operable in at least substantially the entire working area of the object; and - control means adapted to control the plurality of stinning devices, the control means being arranged to operate the plurality of stinning devices simultaneously in different portions of the working area of the object. 2. Inrichting volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de veelheid stolinrichtingen zijn ingericht voor het uitzenden van elektromagnetische straling.The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stinning devices are adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation. 3. Inrichting volgens conclusie 2, waarbij de inrichting een veelheid deflector middelen omvat die zijn ingericht voor het deflecteren van elektromagnetische straling die is uitgezonden door elk van de veelheid stolinrichtingen.The device of claim 2, wherein the device comprises a plurality of deflector means adapted to deflect electromagnetic radiation emitted by each of the plurality of stinning devices. 4. Inrichting volgens conclusie 3, waarbij de veelheid deflector middelen gepositioneerd zijn nabij een lijn die loodrecht op het vlak gedefinieerd door het werkgebied van het object gelegen is, en waarbij de lijn door een geometrisch zwaartepunt van het werkgebied van het object passeert.Device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of deflector means are positioned near a line perpendicular to the plane defined by the working area of the object, and wherein the line passes through a geometric center of gravity of the working area of the object. 5. Inrichting volgens conclusie 1-4, waarbij de inrichting een totaal aantal van vier stolinrichtingen omvat.The device of claims 1-4, wherein the device comprises a total number of four stinning devices. 6. Werkwijze voor het vervaardigen van een object door middel van additive manufacturing, omvattende de stappen van: - het verschaffen van een bad aan materiaal dat stolbaar is, waarbij een oppervlakteniveau van het bad van materiaal een werkgebied van het object definieert; en - het tegelijkertijd werkzaam laten zijn van een veelheid stolinrichtingen in in hoofdzaak het volledige werkgebied van het object voor het gelijktijdig laten stollen van verschillende delen van het product dat vervaardigd wordt.Method for manufacturing an object by means of additive manufacturing, comprising the steps of: - providing a bath of material that can be solidified, wherein a surface level of the bath of material defines a working area of the object; and - allowing a plurality of stinning devices to operate simultaneously in substantially the entire working area of the object for simultaneously solidifying different parts of the product being manufactured. 7. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 6, waarbij de werkwijze de stap omvat van het laten stollen van een contour van het object dat vervaardigd wordt met een van de veelheid stolinrichtingen, en het tegelijkertijd laten stollen van een inwendig gedeelte van het object dat vervaardigd wordt met een verdere van de veelheid stolinrichtingen.The method of claim 6, wherein the method comprises the step of solidifying a contour of the object made by one of the plurality of solids devices, and simultaneously solidifying an interior portion of the object made with a further from the plurality of stol devices. 8. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 6 of 7, waarbij de werkwijze de stap omvat van het laten stollen van delen van het werkgebied van het object door middel van elektromagnetische straling.A method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the method comprises the step of solidifying parts of the working area of the object by means of electromagnetic radiation.
NL2013865A 2014-11-24 2014-11-24 Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing. NL2013865B1 (en)

Priority Applications (12)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2013865A NL2013865B1 (en) 2014-11-24 2014-11-24 Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing.
CN201580074369.XA CN107454868B (en) 2014-11-24 2015-11-24 Apparatus for producing an article by additive manufacturing and method of calibrating an apparatus
CN201911057356.8A CN110757796B (en) 2014-11-24 2015-11-24 Apparatus and method for producing an article by additive manufacturing
US15/528,892 US11458539B2 (en) 2014-11-24 2015-11-24 Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing
EP18205024.5A EP3461622A1 (en) 2014-11-24 2015-11-24 Apparatus and method for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing
PCT/NL2015/050819 WO2016085334A2 (en) 2014-11-24 2015-11-24 Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing
CN202010082052.3A CN111215629B (en) 2014-11-24 2015-11-24 Apparatus for producing an article by additive manufacturing and method of calibrating an apparatus
EP15830898.1A EP3224025B1 (en) 2014-11-24 2015-11-24 Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing and method for calibrating an apparatus
JP2017545847A JP6843756B2 (en) 2014-11-24 2015-11-24 Equipment for manufacturing objects by laminated modeling
JP2021027758A JP2021091970A (en) 2014-11-24 2021-02-24 Apparatus for producing object by means of additive manufacturing
JP2021027766A JP7059411B2 (en) 2014-11-24 2021-02-24 Equipment for manufacturing objects by layered modeling
US17/833,342 US20220297188A1 (en) 2014-11-24 2022-06-06 Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2013865A NL2013865B1 (en) 2014-11-24 2014-11-24 Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
NL2013865B1 true NL2013865B1 (en) 2016-10-11

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
NL2013865A NL2013865B1 (en) 2014-11-24 2014-11-24 Apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing.

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NL (1) NL2013865B1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11040414B2 (en) 2008-09-05 2021-06-22 Renishaw Plc Additive manufacturing apparatus with a chamber and a removably-mountable optical module; method of preparing a laser processing apparatus with such removably-mountable optical module
US11358224B2 (en) 2015-11-16 2022-06-14 Renishaw Plc Module for additive manufacturing apparatus and method

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4302418A1 (en) * 1993-01-28 1994-08-11 Eos Electro Optical Syst Method and device for producing a three-dimensional object

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4302418A1 (en) * 1993-01-28 1994-08-11 Eos Electro Optical Syst Method and device for producing a three-dimensional object

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11040414B2 (en) 2008-09-05 2021-06-22 Renishaw Plc Additive manufacturing apparatus with a chamber and a removably-mountable optical module; method of preparing a laser processing apparatus with such removably-mountable optical module
US11358224B2 (en) 2015-11-16 2022-06-14 Renishaw Plc Module for additive manufacturing apparatus and method
EP3377253B1 (en) 2015-11-16 2023-03-01 Renishaw PLC Module for additive manufacturing apparatus

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