Apparatus and method for manufacturing three-dimensional objects

Abstract

An apparatus and a method manufacture three-dimensional objects by selective solidification of a build material applied in layers. In order to improve the manufacturing process and in particular to optimize heat input, a heating element is provided that has at least two functional openings. One of the at least two functional openings serves as a material pass-through and another of the at least two functional openings serving simultaneously as a radiation pass-through.

1 . An apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional objects by selective solidification of a build material applied in layers, the apparatus comprising:
 a build platform, disposed in an X-Y plane, on which at least one three-dimensional object is generated in layers;   a heating element, at least partly overlapping said build platform, for inputting thermal energy into the build material, said heating element having at least two simultaneously usable functional openings formed therein, wherein one of said at least two functional openings being a material pass-through and another of said at least two functional openings being a radiation pass-through; and   a drive device for generating a relative motion in an X-Y direction between said build platform and said heating element.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said heating element constantly at least partly overlaps said build platform. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said heating element and said build platform can be caused to overlap one another completely. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said heating element is of a substantially plate-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said heating element is disposed above said build platform and either is spaced away from a topmost build layer or touches the topmost build layer. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a process chamber, said build platform is disposed inside said process chamber that is closed in an operating state, and said heating element serving as a demarcating wall of said process chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said heating element contains regions capable of different temperature control. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a shape of said functional openings is modifiable. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an additional heat source embodied to furnish the thermal energy, wherein one of said at least two functional openings is embodied simultaneously or exclusively as a heating opening for additional input of the thermal energy. 
     
     
         10 . A method for manufacturing three-dimensional objects by selective solidification of a build material applied in layers, which comprises the steps of:
 generating at least one three-dimensional object, in layers, on a build platform disposed in an X-Y plane;   inputting thermal energy into the build material via a heating element at least partly overlapping the build platform, wherein the heating element, using at least two functional openings, allowing the build material and radiation energy to pass through simultaneously; and   generating, via a drive device, a relative motion in an X and/or Y direction between the build platform and the heating element.