DE102021110038A1 - Process for the additive manufacturing of at least one three-dimensional object - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for the additive production of at least one three-dimensional object (1), in particular a vehicle component, by successive selective solidification of a, in particular powdered or liquid, building material (2) to form the at least one three-dimensional object (1), comprising the following method steps: - building up (100 ) the at least one three-dimensional object (1) by solidification of building material (2),- constructing (101) a thermally influencing structure (3) by at least partially solidifying of building material (2), wherein the thermally influencing structure (3) -- (a) cooling of the three-dimensional object (1) in the course of the construction (100) of the three-dimensional object (1) is delayed and/or-- (b) absorption of thermal energy emitted by adjacent areas of the three-dimensional object (1) by the three-dimensional object ( 1) reduced in the course of building the three-dimensional object (1).

Description

The invention relates to a method for the additive production of at least one three-dimensional object, in particular a vehicle component, by successive selective solidification of a, in particular powdered or liquid, building material to form the at least one three-dimensional object.

Corresponding methods for the additive manufacturing of at least one three-dimensional object, in particular a vehicle component, are basically known from the prior art. Thus, it is known to use selective laser melting to produce metallic vehicle components. It is also known to produce vehicle components using the digital light processing (DLP) method, in particular a continuous liquid interface production method (CLIP). The thermal cooling behavior of the at least additively constructed three-dimensional object can prove problematic here. It can be seen that areas of the solidified building material located in the edge areas of the building level in particular experience faster cooling than areas located centrally in the building level. This inhomogeneous cooling behavior can lead to undesired inhomogeneous physical and/or chemical component properties of the three-dimensional object.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a method which increases the quality of the three-dimensional objects produced, in particular with regard to a simple, fast and cost-effective measure, in particular the achievement of predetermined homogeneous or defined area-dependent target properties of the three-dimensional object is to be achieved.

The object is achieved by a method for the additive production of at least one three-dimensional object according to claim 1. The claims dependent on this relate to possible embodiments of the method.

The invention relates to a method for the additive production of at least one three-dimensional object, in particular a vehicle component, by successive selective solidification of a, in particular powdered or liquid, building material to form the at least one three-dimensional object, comprising the following method steps: (a) building up the at least one three-dimensional object by hardening of building material, (b) construction of a thermally influencing structure by hardening of building material at least in sections. The building material provided for forming the three-dimensional object can be melted or otherwise solidified by energy input in such a way that the building material forms the three-dimensional object whose shape is essentially, in particular entirely, determined. The thermally influencing structure can be formed at least partially by solidified building material, with this thermally influencing structure optionally also being able to have a substantially, in particular completely, defined target shape after the energy input. In other words, the thermal influence structure and the three-dimensional object are generated within a build job by the additive manufacturing device.

The thermal influencing structure is designed in such a way that it (a) delays cooling of the three-dimensional object in the course of the construction of the three-dimensional object and/or (b) that it reduces to the absorption of thermal energy emitted by adjacent areas of the building material the three-dimensional object in the course of building the three-dimensional object. In other words, the thermally influencing structure serves as a structure that influences the cooling behavior of the three-dimensional object and is built up from the building material in the building process. For example, the thermal influencing structure can act as a thermal insulation body at least in sections, in particular completely, so that the radiation or release of thermal energy from the three-dimensional object to the environment is delayed. Alternatively or additionally, the thermal influencing structure can be arranged or formed at least in sections, in particular completely, between two three-dimensional objects constructed in a construction job of the additive manufacturing device, so that any crosswise thermal influencing of the at least two three-dimensional objects is influenced by the thermal influencing structure. For example, a first three-dimensional object has a larger area and/or a larger volume of consolidated building material than a smaller, adjacently arranged or formed three-dimensional object. Due to the larger area and/or the larger volume of the first three-dimensional object, this is warmer than the adjacent, smaller three-dimensional object due to the energy input. A thermal heating of the smaller three-dimensional object or a delay in the cooling of the smaller three-dimensional object due to the thermal energy given off by the larger three-dimensional object to the environment is prevented by the thermal influencing structure or at least its effect is reduced.

It is possible for the thermal influencing structure to surround or enclose the three-dimensional object at least in sections, preferably at least predominantly, particularly preferably completely. For example, the thermal influencing structure can surround the three-dimensional object at least in sections, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably completely, following the contours and/or with a wall running equidistant to the three-dimensional object at least in sections. For example, the thermally influencing structure surrounds or runs around the at least one three-dimensional object viewed from a vertical axis of the three-dimensional object and/or perpendicular to a building plane or building panel at an angle of at least 30°, preferably at least 60°, particularly preferably at least 170° , most preferably of at least 230°, more preferably of at least 270°, further more preferably of 360° or entirely.

The thermal influencing structure can, for example, form at least one cavity, with at least temporarily unsolidified building material being accommodated in the cavity during the construction of the three-dimensional object, preferably unsolidified building material being enclosed in the cavity by the influencing structure. For example, a cavity can be built up in a CLIP process that works with liquid building material, with unsolidified building material being enclosed at least temporarily in the cavity, so that this building material cannot flow or trickle out during the building process, or only with a delay (due to gravity). In other words, the cavity created by the thermal influencing structure can encapsulate or enclose the unsolidified building material. A cavity can be understood as a space which is suitable for accommodating building material, in particular unsolidified one. For this purpose, walls of the thermally influencing structure can delimit or define this space. Furthermore, it can be provided that the cavity formed by the thermally influencing structure is not completely enclosed, for example, it can comprise a trough-like or pot-like structure, which is aligned in such a way that unsolidified building material that gets into or is arranged in the cavity during the construction process at least temporarily, in particular over the entire period of time, the structure of the three-dimensional object remains there.

Unsolidified building material is understood to mean building material that is not solidified in the course of construction or only experiences a limited input of energy, which is not sufficient to have a shaping or shape-retaining effect on the building material. At a minimum, the unconsolidated build material is consolidated to a lesser extent than the build material forming the three-dimensional object during the building process.

If unsolidified building material is contained in a cavity formed by the thermally influencing structure, in particular is enclosed by the thermally influencing structure, it can be protected from external energy exposure or at least experience external energy exposure to a lesser extent. In other words, the unconsolidated building material in the cavity can be protected against undesired input of energy and/or against contact with oxygen. A material that is spared in this way can be used in an additive manufacturing process that takes place later. In other words, the aging behavior of the unconsolidated building material can be reduced due to the effects during the additive manufacturing process.

The thermally influencing structure can be arranged or formed entirely separately from the at least one three-dimensional object, in particular from all three-dimensional objects, d. H. e.g. B. that the thermally influencing structure is always at a distance from the at least one three-dimensional object. The intermediate space formed by this distance between the three-dimensional object and the thermal influencing structure can be filled at least in sections, in particular completely, with unsolidified building material or at least in sections, in particular completely, with a gas, in particular air. In other words, the formation of any thermal bridges is prevented by not touching the thermally influencing structure and the at least one three-dimensional object, so that the space between the three-dimensional object and the thermally influencing structure acts as a thermally insulating area.

In an advantageous development, it can be provided that during the construction of the three-dimensional object, an unsolidified building material arranged in the cavity is at least partially, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably completely, removed from the cavity. The unsolidified building material located in the cavity is thus actively or passively removed from the cavity. In this case, active removal can include suction and/or removal with mechanical contact (e.g. scratching out) and/or rinsing out with a liquid or gaseous rinsing medium. Passive removal may be gravity trickling and/or include flowing out of the building material from the cavity. The unconsolidated building material is preferably removed at least in sections, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably completely, during the construction of the three-dimensional object, so that at least one three-dimensional object to be produced has not yet been completely built up or is not yet completely in its geometric shape when the unconsolidated building material is removed or brought out of the cavity.

The unsolidified building material can be removed or brought out of the cavity, for example, with a time delay; for example, at least a major part of the unsolidified building material, in particular all of the unsolidified building material, can be built up during a period of at least 10 layers, preferably at least 20 layers, more preferably at least 50 layers, most preferably at least 100 layers, remain in the cavity before it is removed from the cavity. For example, the unconsolidated building material remains at least predominantly, preferably completely, for at least 10 seconds, preferably at least 30 seconds, particularly preferably at least 120 seconds, most preferably at least 360 seconds, in the cavity before it leaves it. In general, it can be achieved that the unsolidified building material located in the cavity is only released in the course of the construction process.

Alternatively or in addition, at least one cavity can be opened so that the unconsolidated building material located in this cavity can be removed only after the end of the additive manufacturing process that gives the shape. For this purpose, the opening through which the building material emerges during removal or through which an Pressure equalization is initiated in the cavity, so that the building material can escape from the cavity elsewhere.

It is also possible that in an additive manufacturing process using a liquid building material, e.g. B. CLIP or DLP, the unsolidified building material initially held in the cavity is made available at a later date to this or a later additive manufacturing process or construction job as building material to be processed.

The unsolidified building material present in liquid form can, for example, remain or be held in the at least one cavity of the thermally influencing structure due to a suction effect acting in the cavity and/or a vacuum or negative pressure prevailing there, or the unsolidified building material can flow out due to the suction effect or of the vacuum or negative pressure take place with a delay.

It is possible that no three-dimensional object is arranged or formed in at least one cavity formed or defined by the thermally influencing structure at least in sections, in particular completely.

The thermal influencing structure can be constructed in such a way that it forms a receiving space in which at least one three-dimensional object is arranged or formed at least in sections, in particular completely. Thus, during the construction of the thermal influencing structure, a hollow space is created, in which a three-dimensional object is also constructed, so that after construction a three-dimensional object is arranged or was formed in the receiving space. In other words, the thermally influencing structure forms a cavity or defines it at least in sections, wherein this cavity can be referred to as a receiving space due to the three-dimensional object arranged therein at least in sections, in particular completely. The receiving space can be enclosed at least in sections, in particular completely, by the influencing structure. This enclosing can be designed in such a way that the three-dimensional object cannot be led out through openings in the thermally influencing structure or the three-dimensional object is trapped in the receiving space. Alternatively, the receiving space is completely enclosed by the thermally influencing structure and other elements (e.g. building board, side walls of a building space or other three-dimensional objects) in such a way that neither the three-dimensional object nor any unsolidified building material in the receiving space can leave the receiving space.

The thermally influencing structure can, for example, extend at least essentially (e.g. with a maximum deviation of +/-5%) or exactly at least in sections, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably completely, perpendicular to the building plane or perpendicular to the building board. Alternatively or additionally, the thermally influencing structure can change at least in sections, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably extend completely, coaxially and/or equidistantly around the three-dimensional object.

The influencing structure can, for example, comprise or form at least one edge structure, which is arranged on an outer edge of the building board and/or on an outer edge of the building level and at least half, preferably at least 70%, particularly preferably at least 90%, most preferably completely surrounds the outer circumference of the building level, or shields the inner area of the building level/building board from the outside via the peripheral parts mentioned. The outer edge of the building board or the building level is applied to the outer edge area or the peripheral edge area of the outer 15%, preferably the outer 10%, particularly preferably the outer 5%, most preferably the outer 2% of the area formed by the main extension plane the building board or the building level parked within the additive manufacturing device. Because the outer edge area is surrounded by the edge structure of the thermal influencing structure, the installation space of the additive manufacturing device and thus the three-dimensional object built up within the installation space can be thermally shielded from the environment or a thermal cooling and/or heating behavior of the three-dimensional object can be influenced will.

The distance between an end of the edge structure facing away from the building board can, for example, be at least the same distance from the building board as the area of the three-dimensional object furthest away from the building board. In other words, the edge structure can extend over the entire length perpendicularly to the first built-up building material layer of the three-dimensional object or perpendicularly to the building board according to the length of the three-dimensional object to the first built-up building material layer or to the building board.

A thermal influencing structure can be constructed, for example, in such a way that (a) a first space (e.g. a receiving space) is formed by first structure means, in which at least one three-dimensional object is arranged or formed, and (b) a further space is formed by second structure means , in which the at least one three-dimensional object and the first structural means are arranged or formed. In other words, a three-dimensional object is enveloped by a first structural element and these two elements are enveloped by a second structural element that is placed further outside. Similar to the onion principle, several structural means can be used to envelop at least one three-dimensional object and thus to influence the thermal cooling and/or heating behavior of this three-dimensional object for this purpose.

The thermally influencing structure can, for example, comprise or form a first and at least one second section and after the construction of the thermally influencing structure and/or after the construction of the three-dimensional object the first section can be separated from the second section. In this way, in the image of a structure of the thermal influencing structure that follows the onion principle, individual onion layers or sections can be removed at defined process times, so that the remaining sections lead to a thermal influence or influenceability of the at least one three-dimensional object that is different from the previous configuration.

For example, the first section is directly or indirectly connected to the second section. Thus, the first section of the thermally influencing structure directly, z. B. via a predetermined breaking point to be connected to the other section. Alternatively, the first and at least one further section of the thermally influencing structure can be indirectly, e.g. B. on the building board, be connected to each other. In this way, the separation of the first from the at least one second section can take place at a predetermined breaking point connecting the two sections to one another and/or by separating the first section from the building board.

In an optional development, it can be provided, for example, that the first section is separated (directly or indirectly) from the second section before and/or at the same time as a thermal post-treatment for hardening or post-hardening of the three-dimensional object and/or the thermally influenced structure , In particular the second section of the thermally influencing structure takes place. It is thus possible for both sub-sections to be active during the additive, shaping construction process and thus influence the thermal influence of the three-dimensional object. After this form-giving additive construction process, the three-dimensional object cannot yet have its target component properties, which are only present after the three-dimensional object has undergone a thermal post-treatment process. Before the post-treatment process, the first section of the thermally influencing structure can be separated from the construct, consisting of at least the second section and the three-dimensional object. This freed from the first section construct can dem be subjected to post-treatment process. Due to the changing thermal behavior or the changed thermal influence / ability to influence the three-dimensional object in the course of the separation of the first section compared to the previous additive construction method, a targeted area-dependent and from the thermal shielding / radiation effect of the second section can be at least partially, preferably predominantly , be made possible.

Through a targeted, area-dependent design of the first and at least one second section of the thermally influencing structure and through the removal of the first section at a defined point in time within the overall production process (additive structure and post-treatment), it is possible to specifically target the thermal behavior or the thermal reaction of the three-dimensional object can be influenced.

For example, the three-dimensional object can be present as a green body after the additive manufacturing process that gives the shape, which only has its target properties after it has gone through the thermal post-treatment process. For example, the additive build-up process to obtain a specific shape is carried out by the action of UV radiation on a resinous building material that can be cured by UV light. The thermal post-treatment step can result in changes in the physical and/or chemical properties of the green body, which lead to the formation of the final three-dimensional object. The thermal post-treatment can, for. B. by heating the green body to a temperature of at least 80 ° C, particularly preferably at least 100 ° C, to at least 115 ° C.

A liquid building material, for example, can be used as the building material for forming a three-dimensional object. In particular, the additive manufacturing method uses a liquid synthetic resin or plastic as a building material. The building material can also have at least two differently curing components, with a first component preferably curing primarily through the action of UV and at least one further component curing primarily thermally.

It is possible for the thermally influencing structure to be constructed in such a way that, depending on the area, it has (a) a different distance to the three-dimensional object and/or (b) a different density and/or (c) has a different area, so that by means of the thermal influencing structure, which is designed differently depending on the area, a different heating and/or cooling behavior of the three-dimensional object that can be predetermined in a specific area, in particular in the direction perpendicular to the construction level, results.

It is possible that (a) the unsolidified construction material is removed from the at least one three-dimensional object and/or (b) the at least one three-dimensional object is removed from a construction space of an additive manufacturing device only after a minimum time has elapsed, wherein the minimum time is determined as a function of at least one piece of cooling information describing the cooling behavior of the three-dimensional object and/or the cooling behavior of the building material surrounding the three-dimensional object, in particular a cooling model. The minimum time determined using the cooling information can be dependent on at least one input variable, the input variable being (a) at least one parameter of the additive manufacturing process for forming the thermally influencing structure and/or (b) at least one geometric criterion of the thermally influencing structure and/or (c ) comprises at least one criterion characterizing the material of the thermally influencing structure. At least one of the following aspects can be taken into account here: (a) separating sections of the thermally influencing structure and/or (b) removing unsolidified building material from at least one cavity formed at least partially or completely by the thermally influencing structure. In particular, the point in time and/or the shape and/or nature of the separated section or the point in time and/or the course over time and/or the nature of the unsolidified building material removed from the cavity can be taken into account.

The additive method for producing the three-dimensional object can be a stereolithography method (SL) and/or a selective laser sintering method (SLS) and/or a laser beam melting method (LBM), in particular a selective laser melting method (SLM), and/or or an electron beam melting process (EBM) and/or a fused layer modelling/manufacturing process (FLM/FFF) and/or a fused deposition modeling process (FDM) and/or a multi-jet modeling process (MJM) and/or a poly-jet modeling process (PJM) and/or a binder jetting process and/or a layer laminated manufacturing process (LLM) and/or a digital light processing process (DLP) and/or a thermal transfer sintering process Method (TTS) and/or a Digital Light Processing method (DLP) and/or a Digital Light Synthesis method (DLS) and/or a Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP) process.

In addition to the method for the additive production of at least one three-dimensional object, the invention also relates to a three-dimensional object, preferably a vehicle component, particularly preferably a motor vehicle component, produced using a method described herein.

All advantages, details, designs and/or features of the method according to the invention can be transferred or applied to the three-dimensional object according to the invention.

• 1 eine Prinzipdarstellung einer Vorrichtung zur additiven Herstellung wenigstens eines dreidimensionalen Objekts gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2 eine Prinzipdarstellung gemäß der Schnittlinie II-II aus 1 gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 3 eine Prinzipdarstellung eines weiteren Beispiels einer Schnittansicht mehrerer an einer Bauplatte angebauter dreidimensionaler Objekte in Richtung der Bauplatte aus betrachtet;
• 4 bis 7 Prinzipdarstellungen unterschiedlicher dreidimensionaler Objekte, welche von einer thermische Beeinflussungsstruktur umgebenen sind.
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung von Verfahrensschritten zur Herstellung eines dreidimensionalen Objekts gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

The invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments in the drawings. It shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of a device for additive manufacturing of at least one three-dimensional object according to an embodiment;
• 2 a schematic diagram according to section line II-II 1 according to one embodiment;
• 3 a schematic diagram of a further example of a sectional view of a plurality of three-dimensional objects attached to a building panel viewed in the direction of the building panel;
• 4 until 7 Principle representations of different three-dimensional objects, which are surrounded by a thermal influence structure.
• 8th a schematic representation of method steps for the production of a three-dimensional object according to an embodiment.

In the 8th the essential steps of an exemplary method for the additive production of at least one three-dimensional object 1, in particular a vehicle component, by successive selective solidification of a, in particular powdered or liquid, building material 2 to form the at least one three-dimensional object 1 are shown. First, there is (a) construction 100 of the at least one three-dimensional object 1 by solidification of building material 2 and, in particular simultaneously, (b) construction 101 of a thermally influencing structure 3 by solidification of building material 2 at least in sections additive manufacturing device is layered and selectively solidified or melted and solidified, so that a three-dimensional object 1 determined in terms of its geometric shape and a thermally influencing structure 3 are produced. The thermal influencing structure 3 is designed in such a way or acts on the three-dimensional object 1 in such a way that (a) cooling of the three-dimensional object 1 in the course of the construction 100 of the three-dimensional object 1 is delayed and/or (b) absorption of by neighboring areas of the three-dimensional object 1 emitted thermal energy is reduced by the three-dimensional object 1 in the course of the construction of the three-dimensional object 1. In other words, the thermal influencing structure 3 can shield the three-dimensional object 1 in such a way that any heating and/or cooling of the three-dimensional object 1 caused by adjacent elements is delayed.

exemplary 1 based on an additive manufacturing method running as a CLIP or DLP method for producing the three-dimensional object 1 and the thermally influencing structure 3 . Alternatively, a stereolithography process SL and/or a selective laser sintering process SLS and/or a laser beam melting process LBM, in particular a selective laser melting process SLM, and/or an electron beam melting process EBM and/or a fused Layer modelling/manufacturing method FLM/FFF and/or a fused deposition modeling method FDM and/or a multi-jet modeling method MJM and/or a poly-jet modeling method PJM and/or a binder jetting method and/or a Layer laminated manufacturing method LLM and/or a thermal transfer sintering method TTS and/or a digital light synthesis method DLS can be used.

In the 1 the additive structure in the course of a CLIP procedure is outlined below. The CLIP method can provide that in a solidification step 100, 101, in particular in a polymerization step, a building material 2 that can be solidified or solidified under the action of energy, in particular under the action of UV light, is successively, preferably in layers, selectively by means of a radiation device 17 emitted energy radiation, in particular UV radiation 18 or light radiation is solidified. The building material 2 used can thus include a UV-curable component.

The additive manufacturing device shown can have a construction container which is or can be fastened or can be fastened, preferably optionally detachably, in the additive manufacturing device, the construction container being filled with a liquid construction material 2 made in particular of plastic and/or synthetic resin. The bottom of the container is translucent, so that the energy radiation, esp in particular, the UV radiation 18 penetrate the bottom of the construction container and in an intermediate area 19 - also referred to as "dead zone" - can impinge or reach an intermediate area 19 and solidify the building material 2 located there depending on the area. The UV radiation 18 emerges from the radiation device 17 or a light source and is deflected by a mirror device 20 having at least two mirror elements in such a way that the UV radiation 18 impinges in the intermediate region 19 selectively depending on the region, for example also at least partially flat, whereby the intensity and/or exposure time of the UV radiation 18 within the impingement surface in the intermediate area 19 can be different or can be specifically controlled. A solidified or partially solidified three-dimensional object 1 can thus be formed in the intermediate region 19, in particular with different material properties depending on the region (depending, for example, on the intensity of the UV radiation 18).

The building material 2 can contain photoinitiators which, due to the energetic effect of the UV radiation 18, trigger a radical polymerization in which monomers grow into polymers by chain cleavage of the double bond. The building material 2 hardens along the exposed area. This creates a connection to a height-adjustable (cf. arrow 20) construction platform or construction panel 8, which moves successively or continuously by the action of an actuator (not shown) by one layer height upwards (i.e. away from the radiation device 17), in order to form a space for building material 2 that flows on and is to be solidified depending on the area. With the CLIP procedure i remain. i.e. R. the intermediate area 19 or the area of the three-dimensional object 1 facing the UV radiation 18 and the bottom of the construction container are always covered with liquid construction material 2 during the construction process 100, 101 (with the exception of the following, a free space below the raised construction panel 8 or below the raised three-dimensional object 1 filling liquid building material 2), which in turn can be solidified by the UV radiation 18. Repeating this process several times successively creates a three-dimensional object 1 built up in layers. After the desired shape of the three-dimensional object 1 has been achieved by this method, the three-dimensional object 1 is completely removed from the bath of liquid building material 2 or from the bath filled with liquid building material 2 Container, in particular synthetic resin, moved out and finally separated or detached from the building board 11. The generation of the three-dimensional object 1 described here also relates to the generation of the thermally influencing structure 3. Thus, the thermally influencing structure 3 is also removed from the resin bath after it has been generated and in its position and/or alignment relative to the three-dimensional before or after a subsequent thermal post-treatment step Object changed or separated.

The three-dimensional object 1 constructed within the additive manufacturing device can be present in the form of a green compact, for example the building material is solidified for this purpose by means of energy radiation, in particular UV radiation. In the course of a post-treatment step 103, the green compact can undergo a strengthening post-treatment, in particular a thermal post-treatment for the targeted change of physical and/or chemical properties of the green compact and thus for the formation of the three-dimensional object 1. The building material 2 used can thus have both a first, predominantly , In particular completely, UV-curable component and a second, predominantly, in particular completely, thermally curable component.

It is possible for the thermal influencing structure 3 to surround the three-dimensional object 1 at least in sections, preferably at least predominantly, particularly preferably completely. According to 3 The thermal influencing structures 3 each surround a three-dimensional object 1 in the section plane over the entire circumference of the respective three-dimensional object 1. Furthermore, the thermal influencing structure 3 can completely enclose at least one three-dimensional object 1 in 3D space. Be specific according to 3 several three-dimensional objects 1 (here: for example three three-dimensional objects 1) each surrounded by a thermal influencing structure 3, all thermal influencing structures 3 in turn being surrounded by a thermal influencing structure 3 arranged or constructed further outside.

The thermally influencing structure 3 can, for example, form at least one cavity 4, 4', with at least temporarily unsolidified building material 2 being accommodated or arranged in the cavity 4, 4' during the construction 100 of the three-dimensional object 1 and thus also in the thermally influencing structure 3 . The thermal influencing structure 3 has in the 1 and 2 The illustrated embodiment has two cavities 4, 4', which are formed by thermal influencing structures 3 designed like a shoebox. The cavities 4, 4' are designed to be open at the end pointing towards the construction container or towards the intermediate region 19, so that the at least temporarily arranged therein or formed building material can flow back out of the cavity 4, 4' at a later point in time and into the building container or the container storing the building material 2.

In the embodiment according to 6 it can be seen that the thermally influencing structure 3 has cavities 4, 4′, in which, at least in the illustrated straight sectional plane, unsolidified building material 2 partially or circumferentially encloses. Thus, this cavity 4, 4' can have a closed contour shape, see reference number 4, or an open contour shape 4', like a trough. In the last-mentioned case, care must be taken to ensure that the trough is positioned and/or aligned in such a way that during the additive construction 100, 101, the unsolidified building material 2 remains at least partially in it and does not fill the cavity 4, for example due to gravity and/or centrifugal force ' leaves. Preferably, building material 2 that is not solidified by the influencing structure 3 is enclosed in the cavity 4, 4'.

During the construction 100 of the three-dimensional object 1, for example, an unsolidified building material 2 arranged in the cavity 4, 4′ can be removed from the cavity 4, 4′ at least partially, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably completely. For this purpose, drainage openings (not shown) can be constructed in the thermal influencing structure 3, through which the unsolidified building material 2 can drain out of the cavity 4, 4'.

Unsolidified building material 2 in liquid form can, for example, remain in the at least one cavity 4, 4′ of the thermally influencing structure 3 due to a suction effect acting in the cavity 4, 4′, or the unsolidified building material 2 can be delayed due to the suction effect. It is possible for a cavity 4, 4' to adjoin the building board 8, so that a pressure, in particular negative pressure, prevailing in the cavity 4, 4' can be eliminated by releasing a connecting line 21 on the building board, cf. 6 . In this way, all intermediate positions of the connecting lines 21 can be adjusted or controlled via a valve (not shown) by controlling the permeability of the connecting line 21, in this case stepwise or continuously from completely closed to completely open. This adjustment of the valve can be done manually or automatically, e.g. B. with the help of a robot.

The thermally influencing structure 3 can, for example, form at least one receiving space 5 in which at least one three-dimensional object 1 is arranged at least in sections, in particular completely. In other words, the receiving space 5 forms a cavity 4, 4' in which a three-dimensional object 1 is arranged or formed.

The influencing structure 3 can comprise at least one edge structure 6, which is arranged on an outer edge or edge area 7 of the building board 8 and/or on an outer edge or edge area 7 of the building level 9 and shields at least half of the outer circumference of the building level 9. in the in 3 The embodiment shown, the edge structure 6 completely encloses the construction area of the construction board 8 in the sectional plane. In other words, the edge structure is ring-shaped, in particular without interruption, and surrounds the three-dimensional object 1.

A thermally influencing structure 3 can, for example, be constructed in such a way that it (a) forms a first space 12 by first structure means 10, in which at least one three-dimensional object 1 is arranged or formed (and thus forms a receiving space) and (b) by second structure means 11 forms a further space 13 in which the at least one three-dimensional object 1 and the first structure means 10 are arranged or formed. In the embodiment of 6 the first and second structural means 10, 11 are each ring-shaped and shown in longitudinal section. The structural means 10, 11 each extend in the form of a ring around the three-dimensional object 1. Consequently, the second structural means 11 forms a space 12 in which the first structural means 10 is contained together with the three-dimensional object 1.

The thermally influencing structure 3 can, for example, comprise a first and at least one second section 14, 15 and after the construction of the thermally influencing structure 3, the first section 14 can be separated from the second section 15. According to the 7 shown embodiment, the first section 14 is arranged directly on the second section 15 or formed or formed. Alternatively, the wall provided with the reference number 14 ′ can also be understood as the first partial section 14 ′, which is connected indirectly to the second partial section 15 via the building board 8 .

Next is in 7 a cavity 4 formed by first structural means 10 of the thermal influencing structure 3 is shown, which cavity does not include any unsolidified building material 2 . For this purpose, this cavity 4 can be provided with at least one outlet channel (not shown), so that any during the construction process 100, 101 therein existing, unsolidified building material 2 can flow or trickle out.

It is possible for the first section 14, 15 to be separated from the at least one second section at a predetermined breaking point 16, 16' connecting the two sections 14, 15 to one another. In this case, the predetermined breaking point 16 can be located directly on the interface between the two sections 14, 15 or on the contact surface of a section 14' on the building board 8, see reference number 16'.

Separating 102 the first section 14 from the second section 15 can, for example, take place before and/or at the same time as an, in particular thermal, post-treatment 103 for solidifying the three-dimensional object 1 and/or the thermally influenced structure 3, in particular the second section 15 of the thermally influenced structure 3, take place. An example is in 8th the mode is shown, according to which a first section 14 after the structure 100, 101 and before the post-treatment 103 and a second section 15 after the post-treatment 103 changed their position and/or orientation of the three-dimensional object 1, in particular separated from the three-dimensional object 1 , will.

The construction 101 of the thermally influencing structure 3 can be carried out, for example, in such a way that, depending on the area, in particular in direction 22 viewed perpendicularly to a construction plane 9, (a) a different distance 23, 23 'to the three-dimensional object 1 and / or (b) a different density and/or (c) has a different area, so that the thermal influencing structure 3 results in a different heating and/or cooling behavior that can be specifically predetermined depending on the area, in particular viewed in the direction perpendicular to the construction plane 9 . For example, is off 5 recognizable that the thermal influencing structure 2 has a different distance 23, 23 'along a section perpendicular to the building board 8. Thus, in the area of a first distance 23, which is shown here as an example in the middle, the distance is greater than the distance 23' between the thermally influencing structure 3 and the three-dimensional object 1 in the area lying further down here, for example. Due to the greater proximity in the area of the distance 23 ', the insulating effect in this area is lower, so that in the course of a post-treatment step 103 applying external thermal energy, for example homogeneously, to the three-dimensional object 1, this area of the three-dimensional object 1 experiences greater heating than the area of greater distance 23.

In 4 a configuration of first and second structural means 10, 11 and a three-dimensional object 1, which shows the state during additive construction 100, 101, is shown. In 5 Once the outer, second structure means 11 has been removed from the first structure means 10, so that the then present thermal influencing structure 3 consists of the first structure means 10. This changed configuration consisting of the first structural means 10 and the three-dimensional object 1 can go through the after-treatment process 103, resulting in a different ability of the three-dimensional object 1 to be thermally influenced due to the change in the thermally influencing structure 3 .

It is possible that (a) the unsolidified building material 2 is removed from the at least one three-dimensional object 1 and/or (b) the at least one three-dimensional object 2 is only removed from a construction space of an additive manufacturing device when a minimum time has elapsed , wherein the minimum time is determined as a function of at least one piece of cooling information describing the cooling behavior of the three-dimensional object 1 and/or cooling behavior of the building material 2 surrounding the three-dimensional object 1, in particular a cooling model, the minimum time determined by means of the cooling information being dependent on at least one input variable is dependent, the input variable (I) at least one parameter of the additive manufacturing process for forming the thermally influencing structure 3 and / or (II) at least one geometric criterion of the thermally influencing structure 3 and / or (III) at least one the material al or the building material 2 of the thermally influencing structure 3 includes characteristic criterion.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a three-dimensional object 1, preferably a vehicle component, particularly preferably a motor vehicle component, which was produced using a method described herein.

reference list

1

three-dimensional object

2

building material

3

thermal influence structure

4, 4'

cavity

5

recording room

6

edge structure

7

outer edge

8th

build plate

9

construction level

10

first structure means

11

another structuring agent

12

first room

13

second room

14, 14'

first section

15

another section

16, 16'

predetermined breaking point

17

radiation device

18

radiation

19

intermediate area

20

mirror device

21

connection line

22

Direction

23, 23'

Distance 3 to 1

100

construction of 1

101

construction of 3

102

Separate 14 and 15

103

post-treatment

Claims (14)

Method for the additive production of at least one three-dimensional object (1), in particular a vehicle component, by successive selective solidification of a, in particular powdered or liquid, building material (2) to form the at least one three-dimensional object (1), comprising the following method steps: - Building (100) of the at least one three-dimensional object (1) by solidification of building material (2), - Build (101) a thermally influencing structure (3) by at least partially solidifying building material (2), wherein the thermally influencing structure (3) -- (a) delaying cooling of the three-dimensional object (1) in the course of the construction (100) of the three-dimensional object (1) and/or -- (b) reduced absorption of thermal energy emitted by adjacent areas of the three-dimensional object (1) by the three-dimensional object (1) in the course of the construction of the three-dimensional object (1). procedure after claim 1 , characterized in that a thermal influencing structure (3) is constructed, which surrounds the three-dimensional object (1) at least in sections, preferably at least predominantly, particularly preferably completely. procedure after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that a thermal influencing structure (3) is built, which forms at least one cavity (4, 4 '), wherein in the cavity (4, 4') during the construction (100) of the three-dimensional object (1) at least temporarily unconsolidated building material (2) is accommodated or arranged, preferably unconsolidated building material (2) is enclosed in the cavity (4, 4') by the influencing structure (3). procedure after claim 3 , characterized in that during the construction (100) of the three-dimensional object (1) in the cavity (4, 4 ') arranged unsolidified building material (2) from the cavity (4, 4') at least partially, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably entirely, is removed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that unsolidified building material (2) present in liquid form in the at least one cavity (4, 4') of the thermally influencing structure (3) due to a in the cavity (4, 4') acting Suction remains or outflow is delayed due to the suction. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a thermal influencing structure (3) is constructed which forms at least one receiving space (5) in which at least one three-dimensional object (1) is arranged at least in sections, in particular completely. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a thermal influencing structure (3) is built up, which comprises at least one edge structure (6) which is attached to an outer edge (7) of the building board (8) and/or to an outer edge of the Building level (9) is arranged and at least half the outer circumference of the building level (9) shields. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a thermal influencing structure (3) is constructed which - by means of first structural means (10) forms a first space (12) in which at least one three-dimensional object (1) is arranged or formed and - forms a further space (13) by second structure means (11), in which the at least one three-dimensional object (1) and the first structure means (10) are arranged or formed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a thermally influencing structure (3) is constructed which comprises a first and at least one second section (14, 15) and after the construction of the thermally influencing structure (3) the first section (14) is separated from the second section (15), preferably the separation (102) of the first section from the at least one second section (14, 15) takes place at a predetermined breaking point (16) connecting the two sections (14, 15) to one another. procedure after claim 9 , characterized in that the separation (102) of the first section (14) from the second section (15) before and / or simultaneously to a, in particular thermal, post-treatment (103) for solidification of the three-dimensional object (1) and / or the thermally influencing structure (3), in particular the second section (15) of the thermally influencing structure (3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by constructing the thermally influencing structure (3) in such a way that it is viewed area-dependently, in particular in the direction (17) perpendicular to a construction plane (9), - a different distance (18) to the three-dimensional object (1) and/or - has a different density and/or - has a different area, so that by means of the thermally influencing structure (3) a different heating and/or cooling behavior that can be specified in a targeted manner and depending on the area, in particular in the direction perpendicular to the construction level (9), is observed results. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - removing the unsolidified construction material (2) from the at least one three-dimensional object (1) and/or - removing the at least one three-dimensional object (1) from a construction space of an additive manufacturing device only is carried out when a minimum time has elapsed, the minimum time depending on at least one piece of cooling information describing the cooling behavior of the three-dimensional object (1) and/or the cooling behavior of the building material (2) surrounding the three-dimensional object (1), in particular a cooling model, is determined, the minimum time determined by means of the cooling information being dependent on at least one input variable, the input variable being - at least one parameter of the additive manufacturing method for forming the thermally influencing structure (3) and/or - at least one geometric criterion of the thermal Influencing structure (3) and/or - at least one criterion characterizing the material of the thermal influencing structure (3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additive method for producing the three-dimensional object (1) is a stereolithography method (SL) and/or a selective laser sintering method (SLS) and/or a laser beam melting method ( LBM), in particular a selective laser melting method (SLM), and/or an electron beam melting method (EBM) and/or a fused layer modelling/manufacturing method (FLM/FFF) and/or a fused deposition modeling method (FDM) and/or a Multi-Jet Modeling Process (MJM) and/or a Poly-Jet Modeling Process (PJM) and/or a Binder Jetting Process and/or a Layer Laminated Manufacturing Process (LLM) and/or a Thermal Transfer Sintering Method (TTS) and/or a Digital Light Processing method (DLP) and/or a Continuous Liquid Interface Production method (CLIP) and/or a Digital Light Synthesis method (DLS). Three-dimensional object (1), preferably a vehicle component, particularly preferably a motor vehicle component, produced by a method according to one of the preceding claims.

Images