Patents Assigned to EOS GMBH
  • Patent number: 8073315
    Abstract: A radiant heating for heating the building material in a laser sintering device and a laser sintering device having such a radiant heating are described. The radiant heating has a sheet-like heat radiating element (113, 213, 313), which is characterized in that it is made of a material, that has a low thermal inertia with a thermal diffusivity of preferably more than 1.5·10?4 m2/s and preferably has a thickness of 2 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventor: Jochen Philippi
  • Publication number: 20110293771
    Abstract: A means for modifying a building space for a device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by layerwise solidification of a powdery building material at the locations corresponding to the object in the respective layers comprises one or several small supports (32) or one or several building space partitioning elements (20) on a building platform (2), thereby the device has one or several small building areas (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), in which the powdery material may be efficiently used and different powder materials may be processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: EOS GMBH ELECTRO OPTICAL SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Johann Oberhofer, Robert Eichner
  • Publication number: 20110278773
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method of generatively manufacturing a three-dimensional object in a device, comprising the following steps: layerwise applying a powdery material (11) onto a support (5) or a previously applied layer after having lowered the support (5) by the amount of one layer thickness; selectively solidifying the powdery material (11) by energetic radiation (8, 8?) at locations corresponding to the object (3); repeating the steps a) and b), until the object (3) is completed. The device defines a two-dimensional maximum working field (6) with a maximum length (L) and a maximum width (B), in which the powdery material (11) can be applied and solidified. According to the invention, a reduced working field (13) is additionally realized, in which the powdery material (11) is applied and radiated by less than the maximum length (L) and/or by less than the maximum width (B) of the maximum working field (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: EOS GMBH ELECTRO OPTICAL SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Attila Bokodi, Andreas Baumann
  • Patent number: 8034279
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by successively solidifying layers of a building material at positions in the respective layer corresponding to the cross-section of the object is provided, wherein at least a partial region of a layer is solidified such that a pattern is generated, which pattern contains a plurality of substantially parallel solidification lines (V, S), and at least a partial region of a subsequent layer is exposed such that a pattern is generated, which pattern contains a plurality of substantially parallel solidification lines (V, S) that are rotated with respect to the solidification lines of the pattern of the previous layer by an angle (?) that differs from 180°, 90° and 45°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Marc Dimter, Ralph Mayer, Ludger Hümmeler, Rainer Salzberger, Juha Kotila, Tatu Syvänen
  • Patent number: 8031384
    Abstract: A device (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer-wise solidification of a building material at positions in the respective layers corresponding to the object is provided. The device has an energy source (6) that emits a beam (9) for solidifying the building material, a scanner (8) that selectively directs the beam (9) to different positions in a building plane (11), and a deflection mirror (7) that deflects the beam (9) coming from the energy source (6) to the scanner (8). The beam (9) from the energy source (6) to the scanner (8) runs in a space (13, 14) secluded from the outside and an adjustment mechanism (16) for the alignment of the deflection mirror (7) is provided, which is adjustable from the outside of the secluded space (13, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Hans Perret, Jochen Philippi, Siegfried Schimitzek
  • Publication number: 20110237731
    Abstract: A powder mixture is described, which is suitable for a layer-wise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object by solidifying a building material in powder form. The powder mixture consists of a mixture of a first polyamide 12 powder and a second polyamide 12 powder, wherein the first polyamide 12 powder is characterized by an increase of its viscosity number determined in accordance with ISO 307 that is less than 10%, when the powder is exposed for 20 hours to a temperature that lies 10° C. below its melting temperature under nitrogen atmosphere, and the second polyamide 12 powder is characterized by an increase of its viscosity number, determined in accordance with ISO 307, by 15% or more, when the powder is exposed for 20 hours to a temperature that lies 10° C. below its melting temperature under nitrogen atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventor: Stefan Paternoster
  • Publication number: 20110221099
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, wherein the object is generated by successively solidifying single layers of fluid or powdery solidifiable building material by the action of electromagnetic radiation. The method comprises steps for emitting a first pulsed electromagnetic radiation onto a first area of a layer of the building material, and for emitting a second continuous electromagnetic radiation onto a second area of the layer of the building material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Johann Oberhofer, Joachim Göbner, Hans-Ulrich Büse
  • Publication number: 20110168091
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generatively manufacturing a three-dimensional object (3), comprising: a frame (1) defining a building field (6) at an upper portion (2) thereof; a plate (12) which connects the frame (1) with a housing (100) of the device; a support (5) which is arranged in the frame (1) and vertically movable by a lift mechanics (4) at least below the building field (6); a radiation device (7) which generates an energetic beam (8, 8?) which is focused by a deflection means (9) to arbitrary points in the building field (6), so as to selectively sinter or melt a powdery material (11) which is present in the building field (6); a coater (10) for applying a layer of powdery material (11) onto the support (5) or a previously applied layer of the powdery material (11). A thermal insulation (13) is arranged between the frame (1) and the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: EOS GMBH ELECTRO OPTICAL SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Andreas Baumann, Jochen Philippi, Thomas Mattes
  • Patent number: 7976302
    Abstract: A device (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer wise solidification of a building material at positions in the respective layers that correspond to the object is provided. The device comprises a machine frame (2, 3, 4, 5); a door (73) that is mounted at the machine frame and is swiveling between an open position and a closed position; a container (25) that can be removed from the device; and a support device (26) that is vertically movable in the container and has an upper side, which forms a building platform (78) on which the three-dimensional object is generated layer wise. A mounting (74) for the container (25) is provided at the door (73) and an attachment (75) is provided at the container (25), which attachment can be brought into an engagement with the mounting (74), so that the container (25) can be moved into the device (1) by closing the door (73) and/or can be moved out of the device by opening the door (73).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Thomas Halder, Hans Perret
  • Publication number: 20110165340
    Abstract: A device for generatively manufacturing a three-dimensional object (3) is disclosed, comprising: a frame (1), the upper portion (2) thereof surrounds a building field (6); a support (5) which is arranged in the frame (1) and vertically movable at least below the building field (6) by a lift mechanics (4); a radiation device (7) which generates an energetic beam (8, 8?) which is focused to arbitrary points in the building field (6) by a deflection means (9), so as to selectively sinter or melt a powdery material (11) which is present in the building field (6); a coater (10) for applying a layer of a powdery material (11) onto the support (5) or a previously applied layer of the powdery material (11); a housing (100), in which at least the frame (1) and the support (5) are arranged and which surrounds a building space; and a heating device (13; 14; 15; 16) which continuously supplies heat at least to the building field environment or the building space there above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventor: Andreas Baumann
  • Publication number: 20110133367
    Abstract: A method is provided, by which a three-dimensional object is manufactured by a subsequent solidification of layers of a building material in powder form at the positions in the respective layer that corresponds to the cross-section of the object by means of the action of a laser or another energy source, wherein as building material in powder form a material is used which contains the old powder that has remained as unsolidified powder in the manufacturing of one or more previously formed objects and a proportion of new powder that has not been used before in any manufacturing process, characterized in that the building material in powder form is mechanically consolidated when a layer is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: EOS GMBH ELECTRO OPTICAL SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Jochen Weidinger, Frank Müller, Florian Pfefferkorn
  • Publication number: 20110121492
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to which the object is built layer-wise by solidification of a building material, wherein a test specimen is built which is excited to oscillate after being built and wherein natural frequencies of the oscillations are determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: EOS GMBH ELECTRO OPTICAL SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Jochen PHILIPPI, Alexander SCHILLING
  • Patent number: 7946840
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer-wise solidification of a building material in powder form at positions in the respective layers corresponding to the object is disclosed. The device comprises: a container (25) arranged in the device; a support device (26), which can be vertically moved in the container, wherein the upper side of the support device (26) forms a building platform (78), on which the three-dimensional object is generated layer-wise; an application device (27) for applying building material in powder form onto the building platform and a previously solidified layer, respectively; and an energy source (6) that provides a beam (9) for solidifying the building material in powder form. In a region below the container (25) in the device (1) outlets (90) are provided, wherein from each of the outlets (90) a directed flow of a fluid medium escapes in a directed manner to peripheral regions of the container (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Hans Perret, Thomas Halder, Jochen Philippi, Peter Keller, Gerd Cantzler, Michael Goth, Siegfried Schmitzek
  • Patent number: 7931462
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layerwise solidification of a building material in powder form at the positions in the respective layer that correspond to the object to be manufactured is provided. A work plane (4) is provided, in which successively layers of the building material in powder form, which are to be solidified, are applied and are partially solidified. An application device (5) for applying a layer of the building material in the work plane or onto a previously solidified layer of the building material has an application surface (53) facing the work plane (4). An adjustment device (59, 60, 54) is provided that is constructed such that an angle (?) between the application surface (53) and the work plane (4) is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventor: Thomas Mattes
  • Patent number: 7901604
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing a three-dimensional object having the steps forming the object (3) in a container (1, 200) arranged within a process chamber (100) on a carrier (4) which can be displaced in the container by sequential selective solidification of layers of a pulverulent material (11) which can be solidified by the action of electromagnetic or particle radiation at positions corresponding to the cross-section of the object in the particular layer, characterized by the step of controlled removal of non-solidified pulverulent material (11) after completing the object (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Johann Oberhofer, Jochen Weidinger, Thomas Mattes
  • Patent number: 7891095
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method of producing in one and the same operation precious hallmarked precious metal products. The method is particularly suited for production of such precious metal products, i.e. jewelry and objets d'art, which have complex geometries. The basic principle of the invention is the use of the free form fabrication FFF, method known per se which involve a stepwise build-up in layers of the product from a precious-metal-containing metal powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Christer Jonsson, Towe Norlén, Lena Thorsson, Björn Eklund
  • Patent number: 7850885
    Abstract: A device and a method for the manufacturing of a three-dimensional object (3) by solidifying of layers (25, 26) of a powder material at locations corresponding to the respective cross-section of the object (3) is provided. The device comprises a recoater (24) for applying the layers of the powder material (27) in the building area (5) which is moveable across the building area (5). The recoater (24) is designed with a rigid blade (21a, 21b) which is rigidly connected to the recoater (24). For preheating the powder material (27), the recoater (24) is provided with a heating device (20, 23) which is at least partially integrated into the recoater. In this way it is possible to preheat the powder already during or prior to applying it as a layer and thereby shortening the whole building time for the three-dimensional object (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Optical Systems
    Inventors: Jochen Philippi, Hans Perret, Helmar Langer
  • Patent number: 7847057
    Abstract: By a temper treatment a polyaryletherketone powder is processed such that it is particularly suited for the use in a method for a layer-wise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object. To this effect the powder is tempered at a temperature that is at least 20° C. above the glass transition temperature for at least 30 minutes before it is used as building material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Frank Müller, Andreas Pfister, Martin Leuterer
  • Patent number: 7837458
    Abstract: A device (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer-wise solidification of a building material at positions in the respective layers that correspond to the object is provided. The device has a machine frame (2, 3, 4, 5) and support legs (51) that are mounted at the machine frame and by which the device (1) is supported on a substrate. The support legs (51) are arranged such that a three-point support of the device (1) at the substrate is given and at least two support legs (51) are mounted at the machine frame such that they are adjustable in height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Hans Perret, Thomas Halder, Siegfried Schimitzek
  • Publication number: 20100270713
    Abstract: A method is provided, in which three-dimensional objects are manufactured by layer-wise solidifying powdery synthetic material by impact of electromagnetic or particle radiation, wherein the powdery synthetic material has an anti-microbial property so that the manufactured objects comprise surfaces having an anti-microbial effect. The anti-microbial property is achieved by additives which are present in each powder grain. Such additives can be noble metals, for example argent. The manufactured objects are mainly used in particular in the food industry and in medical engineering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicants: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems, Arkema France, SA
    Inventors: Stoyan Frangov, Peter Walz, Gregory Filou