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US 12,708,983 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for producing 3D moldings by layering technology, using a core cleaning station
AssigneesVoxeljet AG, Loramendi, S.Coop
InventorsAlfred Griesser, Alexander Kudernatsch, Luis Alfonso Fernandez Orive, Alesander Olea Abarrategui
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing three-dimensional models by layering technology, using a core cleaning station.
Claims27
A cleaning station suitable for for removing a residual powder from a 3D molding, comprising:
- a housing with an opening, wherein the opening is optionally closable,
- a bead shower generator for generating a bead shower or a container for receiving beads, and
- a depositing means,
- wherein the depositing means movable in X, Y, Z axes of the depositing means or is pivotable;
- wherein the depositing means has a depositing surface for the 3D molding, or a fixing device for the 3D molding;
- wherein the bead shower generator primarily removes non-solidified residual powder from the 3D molding, thereby freeing the 3D molding from the non-solidified residual powder;
- wherein the bead shower generator is free of an air jet and the cleaning station optionally includes an air jet generator for cleaning the 3D molding after cleaning with the bead shower.
4 more elements
A method for removing a residual particulate material from a 3D molding comprising steps of:
- i) introducing the 3D molding into a cleaning station, wherein the 3D molding is partially freed of particulate material and the 3D molding includes the particulate material bound by a binder;
- and
- ii) exposing the 3D molding to a bead shower, wherein the bead shower primarily removes the residual particulate material from the 3D molding, thereby freeing the 3D molding from the residual particulate material;
- wherein the cleaning station comprises a housing with an opening, and a container in which beads can be provided to the bead shower or returned to the bead shower;
- wherein the bead shower is generated by a bead shower generator that is free of an air jet.
2 more elements
A method for removing unjoined particulate material from a 3D molding comprising the steps of:
- i) constructing the 3D molding in a 3D printing device including a coater or recoater, wherein the 3D molding has a predetermined shape and is formed of particulate material joined by a binder in a bed of the unjoined particulate material;
- ii) conveying the 3D molding from the 3D printing device to a cleaning station with a robotic device, wherein the 3D molding is partially freed of unjoined particulate material;
- and
- iii) cleaning the 3D molding in the cleaning station with beads;
- wherein the cleaning station primarily removes loose particulate material from the joined particulate material, wherein the joined particulate material remains in the 3D molding;
- wherein the cleaning station includes a bead shower generator that is free of an air jet.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.