Apparatus and method for producing three-dimensional objects

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for producing three-dimensional objects (2) from a deformable material (4) has the following features:a housing (3) that has a chamber (21) for receiving the deformable material (4);a feed device (5) for feeding the deformable material (4) into the chamber (21) of the housing (3);a first discharge opening (7) for discharging the deformable material (4) from the chamber (21) of the housing (3);a first closing device (8) for selectively closing and opening the first discharge opening (7), said device (8) having a cavity (22) connected via at least one connecting bore (23) to the chamber (21) of the housing (3);a second discharge opening (11) which has a smaller cross-section than the first discharge opening (7), for discharging the deformable material (4) from the cavity (22) of the first closing device (8), anda second closing device (24) for selectively closing and opening the connecting bore (23).

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for producing three-dimensional objects from a deformable material, said apparatus having the following features:
 a housing that has a chamber for receiving the deformable material, a feed device for feeding the deformable material into the chamber of the housing, a first discharge opening for discharging the deformable material from the chamber of the housing,   a closing device with a longitudinal bore for selectively closing and opening the first discharge opening, a second discharge opening having a smaller cross-section than the first discharge opening and the bore dividing in the longitudinal direction x, wherein the discharge openings are arranged concentrically.   
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the cross-section of the first discharge opening can be adjusted at least in several steps and preferably continuously and the needle ( 8   a ) is movable in its longitudinal direction x at least in several steps and preferably continuously relative to the housing, whereby the flow rate and the discharge volume of the deformable material through the first discharge opening can be varied at least in several steps and preferably continuously. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the closing device can be positioned in any position between a complete opening and a complete closing of the first discharge opening and/or is adjustable in its longitudinal direction (x) by means of an adjustment arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the adjustment arrangement comprises a control sleeve with at least one groove. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the closing device can be rotated by means of a drive device which is operatively connected to the control sleeve and/or the one closing device via a transmission arrangement. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the transmission arrangement is designed as a gear transmission or a belt transmission. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the closing device is held in a rotationally fixed manner. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the control sleeve of the adjustment arrangement comprises at least one groove in which at least one pin connected to the closing device engages, the control sleeve and the closing device being rotatable relative to one another. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the control sleeve and/or the closing device can be rotated by means of a drive device which is operatively connected to the control sleeve and/or the closing device via a transmission arrangement. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the drive device is a pneumatic cylinder or a linear drive with a suitable transmission ratio. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the closing device is moved by a pneumatic cylinder or linear drive. 
     
     
         13 . A method for producing three-dimensional objects from a deformable material, using an apparatus according to any one of  claims 2  to  12 .