US 11,141,789 B2Granted

Powder module

AssigneeConcept Laser GmbH

InventorsJens Stammberger, Alexander Hofmann, Olaf Jäger, Lukas Stache

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Abstract

Powder module (1) for an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects, the powder module (1) comprising a powder chamber (6) having a power chamber volume (7) and a carrying device (9), the carrying device (9) comprising: a carrying unit (8) being moveably supported along a motion axis between a first position, particularly a lower end position, and a second position, particularly an upper end position, relative to the powder chamber (6), a drive unit (10) for generating a drive force for moving the carrying unit (8) between the first position and the second position or vice versa, a coupling unit (11) for coupling the carrying unit (8) with the drive unit (10), and a second extension state, particularly corresponding to the second position of the carrying unit (8), a guiding unit (12) surrounding the coupling unit (11).

Claims20

Dependent claims

A powder module, comprising:

a powder chamber and a carrying device disposed within the powder chamber, the carrying device comprising:
a build plate moveably supported along a build plate-motion axis between a first position and a second position relative to the powder chamber;
a motor configured to generate a drive force for moving the build plate between the first position and the second position or vice versa;
a drive train component configured to transmit a drive force to the build plate from the motor;
a housing surrounding the drive train component, the housing configured to stabilize the build plate in a horizontal orientation relative to the powder chamber;
an inner space defined between the housing and the drive train component;
and
a sensor disposed within the inner space defined between the housing and the drive train component;
wherein the drive train component and the housing are respectively extendable between a non-extended state corresponding to the first position of the build plate and an extended state corresponding to the second position of the build plate;
and
wherein the sensor is configured to determine a motion and/or a position of the build plate.

8 more elements

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

a powder module, the powder module comprising a powder chamber and a carrying device disposed within the powder chamber, the carrying device comprising:
a build plate moveably supported along a build plate-motion axis between a first position and a second position relative to the powder chamber;
a motor configured to generate a drive force for moving the build plate between the first position and the second position or vice versa;
a drive train component configured to transmit a drive force to the build plate from the motor;
a housing surrounding the drive train component, the housing configured to stabilize the build plate in a horizontal orientation relative to the powder chamber, the housing and the drive train component defining an inner space therebetween;
and
a sensor disposed within the inner space defined between the housing and the drive train component;
wherein the drive train component and the housing are respectively extendable between a non-extended state corresponding to the first position of the build plate and an extended state corresponding to the second position of the build plate;
and
wherein the sensor is configured to determine a motion and/or a position of the build plate.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/144,565Filed 27 Sep 2018
Priority: EP 171999663 Nov 2017
Published: US 2019/0134715 A19 May 2019
Granted: 12 Oct 2021
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification19 codes

B29C 64/153
Using only solid materials: using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B22F 7/08
Of composite workpieces or articles from parts, e.g. to form tipped tools: with one or more parts not made from powder
B22F 10/28
Direct sintering or melting: powder bed fusion, e.g. selective laser melting [SLM] or electron beam melting [EBM]
B22F 12/30
Apparatus or devices specially adapted for additive manufacturing; Auxiliary means for additive manufacturing; Combinations of additive…:…