Abstract: The invention relates to a seal system (100, 200, 300) for an installation (400) for producing a three-dimensional workpiece by means of an additive layer manufacturing method, the seal system (100, 200, 300) comprising: a first seal (102), which is configured to seal an intermediate space (116) at a first periphery (108) between a process chamber inner wall (110) and a powder-material-supporting plate assembly (112) in a process chamber (410) of the installation (400); and a second seal (104), which is configured to seal the intermediate space (116) at a second periphery (114) between the process chamber inner wall (110) and the powder-material-supporting plate assembly (112) in the process chamber (410) of the installation (400), the first seal (102) being spaced apart from the second seal (104) such that, when the intermediate space (116) is sealed between the process chamber inner wall (110) and the plate assembly (112) by means of the first seal (102) and the second seal (104), a channel (106) is formed

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical unit for use in an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional workpiece by a beam melting process. The optical unit comprises a beam optics for generating a beam and directing the beam to a predetermined location, and a housing having a housing bottom and an opening provided in the housing bottom which is transparent to the beam so that the beam can pass through the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seal system (100, 200, 300) for an installation (400) for producing a three-dimensional workpiece by means of an additive layer manufacturing method, the seal system (100, 200, 300) comprising: a first seal (102), which is configured to seal an intermediate space (116) at a first periphery (108) between a process chamber inner wall (110) and a powder-material-supporting plate assembly (112) in a process chamber (410) of the installation (400); and a second seal (104), which is configured to seal the intermediate space (116) at a second periphery (114) between the process chamber inner wall (110) and the powder-material-supporting plate assembly (112) in the process chamber (410) of the installation (400), the first seal (102) being spaced apart from the second seal (104) such that, when the intermediate space (116) is sealed between the process chamber inner wall (110) and the plate assembly (112) by means of the first seal (102) and the second seal (104), a channel (106) is formed

Abstract: An apparatus including a process chamber accommodating a carrier for receiving a raw material powder. An irradiation device of the apparatus is configured to selectively irradiate electromagnetic or particle radiation onto the raw material powder on the carrier in order to produce a work piece by an additive layer construction method, wherein a transmission element allows the transmission of the electromagnetic or particle radiation into the process chamber. The apparatus further includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet for supplying and discharging gas to and from the process chamber which are configured to generate a protective gas stream for protecting the transmission element from being contaminated by impurities present in the process chamber. The gas inlet includes a gas permeable, porous component forming a gas inlet area.

Abstract: An unpacking system for use in an apparatus for producing three-dimensional work pieces by irradiating layers of a raw material powder electromagnetic or particle radiation comprises a supporting structure which is configured to support a building chamber arrangement. The building chamber arrangement comprises a building chamber accommodating a carrier, the carrier being configured to receive a three-dimensional work piece produced from a raw material powder by an additive layering process. A lowering mechanism of the unpacking system is configured to apply a driving force to the building chamber so as to lower the building chamber relative to the carrier until a three-dimensional work piece received on the carrier can be removed from the carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus including a process chamber accommodating a carrier for receiving a raw material powder. An irradiation device of the apparatus is configured to selectively irradiate electromagnetic or particle radiation onto the raw material powder on the carrier in order to produce a work piece by an additive layer construction method, wherein a transmission element allows the transmission of the electromagnetic or particle radiation into the process chamber. The apparatus further includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet for supplying and discharging gas to and from the process chamber which are configured to generate a protective gas stream for protecting the transmission element from being contaminated by impurities present in the process chamber. The gas inlet includes a gas permeable, porous component forming a gas inlet area.

Abstract: A carrier arrangement (30) comprises a carrier element (34) having a carrier surface (36) and a plurality of supporting elements (38) attached to the carrier element (34), wherein each supporting element (38) has a supporting surface (40) extending from the carrier surface (36) of the carrier element (34) and being adapted to interact with a first surface (42) of a component (32) to be repaired.

Abstract: An unpacking system (26) for use in an apparatus (10) for producing three-dimensional work pieces by irradiating layers of a raw material powder with electromagnetic or particle radiation comprises a supporting structure (28) which is configured to support a building chamber arrangement (25). The building chamber arrangement (25) comprises a building chamber (18) accommodating a carrier (16), the carrier (16) being configured to receive a three-dimensional work piece (11) produced from a raw material powder by an additive layering process. A lowering mechanism (30) of the unpacking system (26) is configured to apply a driving force to the building chamber (18) so as to lower the building chamber (18) relative to the carrier (16) until a three-dimensional work piece (11) received on the carrier (16) can be removed from the carrier (16).

Abstract: A carrier arrangement (30) comprises a carrier element (34) having a carrier surface (36) and a plurality of supporting elements (38) attached to the carrier element (34), wherein each supporting element (38) has a supporting surface (40) extending from the carrier surface (36) of the carrier element (34) and being adapted to interact with a first surface (42) of a component (32) to be repaired.