Method and device for producing a three-dimensional object

A device for producing a three-dimensional object by applying, layer by layer, and selectively solidifying a pulverulent build material through the use of an energy source applying energy to the build material, comprising:

• a process chamber having a wall and an input window formed in the wall;
• a carrier arranged in the process chamber and on which the object is built;
• a recoater for applying a layer of the pulverulent build material onto the carrier or a previously at least selectively solidified layer of the build material;
• an energy source for introducing an energy beam through the input window into the applied layer of the pulverulent build material;
• a scanning device for scanning the locations of the applied layer that correspond to a cross section of the object to be produced with the energy beam for selectively solidifying the pulverulent build material,
• a device for producing a gas flow in a main flow direction over the applied layer during the scanning with the energy beam;
• and
• a control unit for controlling the application of a layer and the introduction of energy,
• wherein the control unit is adapted to:
• control the device to alternatingly repeat the application of a layer of the pulverulent build material and the selective solidification of the pulverulent build material until the object is completed;
• control the device in such a way that a scanning direction of the energy beam across the applied layer is selected depending on a given main flow direction of the gas flow, and/or that the main flow direction of the gas flow is selected depending on a given scanning direction of the energy beam;
• correlate the scanning direction of the energy beam and the main flow direction of the gas flow to one another by selecting one of the main flow direction of the gas flow and the scanning direction as a fixed direction and by selecting the other one of the scanning direction of the energy beam and the main flow as variable and dependent on the fixed direction;
• and
• correlate the scanning direction of the energy beam and the main flow direction of the gas flow to one another such that the angle located between them lies in a range between 22.5° and 337.5°.