Abstract: In the field of producing three-dimensional objects by additive manufacturing, methods and apparatuses are provided for transporting powdered build material that is used for the production of three-dimensional objects. In order to furnish a simple, reliably operating, and maintenance-free solution for material transportation from one space to another while simultaneously influencing gas exchange between the two spaces, in particular while maintaining gas separation of the spaces, it is proposed that a powder column be formed with the build material, which column influences the gas exchange, in particular prevents a gas exchange between the spaces.

Abstract: A method produces an elastically deformable molded part having a number of undercut molded-part regions, by use of a mold. To provide a technique which makes it possible to produce individual molded parts which are elastically deformable and have undercut regions from soft materials in a precise and cost-effective manner, a method is performed in which a molded-part material is introduced into the mold. The mold has a shaping contour with a number of special contour regions, which are configured for shaping the number of undercut molded-part regions of the molded part, and in which the molded part is removed from the mold by at least partially deforming the mold together with the molded part therein in such a way that the molded part elastically deforms and the mold at least partially, but in any event to the extent of the special contour regions, breaks up.

Abstract: In the field of producing three-dimensional objects by additive manufacturing, methods and apparatuses are provided for transporting powdered build material that is used for the production of three-dimensional objects. In order to furnish a simple, reliably operating, and maintenance-free solution for material transportation from one space to another while simultaneously influencing gas exchange between the two spaces, in particular while maintaining gas separation of the spaces, it is proposed that a powder column be formed with the build material, which column influences the gas exchange, in particular prevents a gas exchange between the spaces.

Abstract: Injection-molded components are produced using single-use molds. In order to produce individual injection-molded components inexpensively, an injection mold constructed from two elements, namely a shell and a shell reinforcement, is used. The two elements of the injection mold are produced from materials that must have specific material properties, namely solubility and melting temperature. The selection of these materials depends on the material properties of the injection-molding material that is used.

Abstract: A tool head for use in a 3D printer includes at least two drivable tools, at least one of which is an extruder tool for melting a modeling material suitable for building an object in layers. A shared or common drive system for the at least two drivable tools serves, in the context of the at least one extruder tool, to feed the modeling material into an extrusion unit. A selection device can establish an operative connection between at least one tool selected from the number of drivable tools and the drive system.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for manufacturing three-dimensional objects by selective solidification of a build material applied in layers. A heating element having at least two functional openings is used to improve the manufacturing process and in particular to optimize heat input. One of the at least two functional openings serves as a material passthrough and another of the at least two functional openings simultaneously serves as a radiation passthrough. An additional heating and/or cooling device serves to control the temperature of build material applied through the material passthrough.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for manufacturing three-dimensional objects by selective solidification of a build material applied in layers use an insulating element having at least two functional openings to improve the manufacturing process and in particular to optimize heat input. One of the at least two functional openings serves as a material passthrough and another of the at least two functional openings simultaneously serves as a radiation passthrough.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for manufacturing three-dimensional objects by selective solidification of a build material applied in layers. A heating element having at least two functional openings is used to improve the manufacturing process and in particular to optimize heat input. One of the at least two functional openings serves as a material passthrough and another of the at least two functional openings simultaneously serves as a radiation passthrough. An additional heating and/or cooling device serves to control the temperature of build material applied through the material passthrough.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for manufacturing 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, it is proposed to use a heating element having at least two functional openings, one of the at least two functional openings serving as a material passthrough and another of the at least two functional openings serving simultaneously as a radiation passthrough.

Abstract: A tool head for use in a 3D printer includes at least two drivable tools, at least one of which is an extruder tool for melting a modeling material suitable for building an object in layers. A shared or common drive system for the at least two drivable tools serves, in the context of the at least one extruder tool, to feed the modeling material into an extrusion unit. A selection device can establish an operative connection between at least one tool selected from the number of drivable tools and the drive system.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional object by selective solidification of a build material includes irradiating a surface of a mask with at least one radiation source. The mask is disposed at a distance from a build plane and an optical imaging system is used to produce a reproduction of the mask on the build plane.

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.

Abstract: The production of three-dimensional bodies is performed by selective solidification, wherein surface impurities on the layers to be produced, which may occur during the production process using “powder shuttle” technology, are significantly reduced or eliminated. In this manner the production process is more efficient, produces a higher grade product and is more economical to implement.

Abstract: A transport container for use in a device for producing a three-dimensional object of selective solidification of a build-up material deposited in layers, in which the device has a process chamber closed during operation, where the three-dimensional object is produced in layers. The transport container has a container, in which a height-adjustable platform is arranged, on which the three-dimensional object is produced in layers. The process chamber has first and second sections in which the second section can be separated from the first section and operated in a separate state independently from the device and also can be connected to the first section to produce an operating state of the device.

Abstract: A data model describes a component to be produced by way of a layer building process. In order to avoid distortion of the component, a partitioning of the component into three-dimensional volume regions is proposed, the regions encompassing more than one build layer and the external surfaces thereof extending by preference obliquely to the build direction, with the result that superimposed adjacent layers of the 3D volume region exhibit different cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: The production of three-dimensional bodies is performed by selective solidification, wherein surface impurities on the layers to be produced, which may occur during the production process using “powder shuttle” technology, are significantly reduced or eliminated. In this manner the production process is more efficient, produces a higher grade product and is more economical to implement.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional object by selective solidification of a build material includes irradiating a surface of a mask with at least one radiation source. The mask is disposed at a distance from a build plane and an optical imaging system is used to produce a reproduction of the mask on the build plane.

Abstract: A transport container for use in a device for producing a three-dimensional object of selective solidification of a build-up material deposited in layers, in which the device has a process chamber closed during operation, where the three-dimensional object is produced in layers. The transport container has a container, in which a height-adjustable platform is arranged, on which the three-dimensional object is produced in layers. The process chamber has first and second sections in which the second section can be separated from the first section and operated in a separate state independently from the device and also can be connected to the first section to produce an operating state of the device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for processing a work piece (21), in which a work piece (21) is constructed in layers (3) from a conductive material using a rapid prototyping process. The work piece (21) constructed in layers (3) is contacted in an anodic manner. Then, a tool (1) is disposed opposite to a to-be-processed site of the work piece (21) such that a gap (50) remains therebetween. The tool (1) is contacted in a cathodic manner and a conductive medium (32) is brought into the gap (50) so that current flows by applying an electronic voltage and metal ions are dissolved from the work piece (21) by electrolysis, whereby a defined removal of material from the work piece (21) takes place. The invention further concerns a method for producing a tool to be utilized as an electrode (1) in an ECM method and an electrode (1) for usage in an ECM method for electro-chemical processing of a work piece (21).

Abstract: In a method for producing a three-dimensional object (6) wherein the object is produced by successive solidification of individual layers (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 64) of a liquid or powderous material (3) by action of electromagnetic radiation (8, 10) and a supporting structure (20, 21) for supporting the object (6) is co-solidified together with the object (6), the supporting structure (20, 21) is decomposed in a three-dimensional fashion into an inner core region (22) an an outer envelope region (23) and the irradiation is varied for producing different characteristics of both regions.