Abstract: A process monitoring system for an additive manufacturing apparatus includes a scanner, a sensor device, and an optical focus-tracking device. The scanner includes an optical adjustment device that directs a melting beam emitted by a laser melting device onto a construction plane to generate a melting section of the construction plane. The sensor device may detect reflected radiation from the melting section and generate sensor data indicative of a size, shape, and/or temperature corresponding to the melting section. The optical focus-tracking device includes a focusing lens located between the scanner and the sensor device. The focusing lens may be actuatable by electronic machine data derived from the sensor data to impart a first focus adjustment with respect to the reflected radiation detected by the sensor followed by a second focus adjustment with respect to the melting beam directed by the optical adjustment device.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object (2) by means of successive layerwise selective consolidation of layers of build material (3), the apparatus (1) comprising a number of functional devices (7-10) operable at a defined operating voltage level, whereby the apparatus (1) comprises at least one voltage control device (13) configured to change the voltage level of a supply voltage (14) supplyable or supplied to the apparatus (1) from an electrical energy supply grid (15) from a supply grid voltage level different from the defined operating voltage level of the number of functional devices (7-10) of the apparatus (1) to the or a voltage level equal to the defined operating voltage level of the number of functional devices (7-10) of the apparatus (1).

Abstract: Device for production of three-dimensional components, namely a laser melting device or laser sintering device, in which a component is produced by successive solidifying of individual layers made from solidifiable construction material, by radiation, through melting of the construction material, wherein the dimensions and/or temperature of the melt area generated by a point-shaped or line-shaped energy input can be captured by a sensor device of a process monitoring system, and sensor values for evaluation of a component quality can by deduced therefrom, wherein the radiation created by the melt area and used for the generation of the sensor values passes through the scanner used for the melt energy input, and guided to the sensor device of the process monitoring system, wherein an optical focus tracking device is arranged in the radiation path used for generation of the sensor values between the scanner and the sensor device.

Abstract: An irradiation assembly for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include an irradiation device and a magnetic mounting device configured to displaceably support the irradiation device. The irradiation device may include one or more illumination elements respectively configured to emit an energy beam. The magnetic mounting device may include a magnetic slider element coupled to the irradiation device and a magnetic stator element couplable to a housing structure of an additive manufacturing machine. The magnetic stator element may include a displacement track configured to guide the magnetic slider element along a movement path above at least a portion of a construction plane of the additive manufacturing machine while the one or more illumination elements respectively emit the energy beam to selectively irradiate build material at specified regions of the construction plane.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (5) that is guided inside a process chamber (6) of the apparatus (1), wherein a determination device (7, 8) is provided that is arranged inside the process chamber (6) and adapted to determine at least one parameter of the energy beam (5), preferably during an additive manufacturing process, in particular during a process step of the additive manufacturing process in which build material (3) is applied onto a build plane (11) of the apparatus (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for the generative production of a three-dimensional object by successive, selective layer-by-layer solidification of construction material layers of a solidifiable construction material by means of at least one energy beam, comprising at least one device for generating at least one energy beam for selective layer-by-layer solidification of individual construction material layers of a solidifiable construction material, wherein the device is configured to generate an energy beam directed directly onto a construction plane, and an exhaust device which is configured to exhaust non-solidified construction material detached from the construction plane during processing and/or process gases arising during processing, wherein the exhaust device comprises at least one exhaust element through which a suction flow may or does flow, wherein at least one passage opening is formed in the at least one exhaust element for passage of an energy beam generated by the device and directed directly onto the construc

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source (5), wherein a measurement beam source (4, 17) is provided which is adapted to generate a measurement beam (7), wherein a beam guiding unit (20) is provided that is adapted to guide the measurement beam (7) in the build plane (6) in the process chamber, wherein a determination device (8) is adapted to determine at least one parameter relating to the object (2) and/or a build material layer (9) based on interference.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device 1 for the additive manufacture of a three-dimensional object (2) by successive, layered, selective illumination and associated solidification of built material layers formed in a construction plane (11) of a built material (3) that can be solidified by means of at least one energy beam (4), comprising an illumination device (9) which comprises at least one illumination element (10) to generate an energy beam (4) directed to the construction plane (11) for the selective illumination of a built material layer that is to be solidified, wherein at least the one illumination element (10) is movably supported by means of a magnetic moving and mounting device (12) in at least one degree of freedom relative to the construction plane (11).

Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine includes an energy beam system situated in a fixed position relative to a reference plane coinciding with an expected location of a build plane, an energy beam system with an irradiation device configured to generate an energy beam and to direct the energy beam upon the build plane, and a position measurement system configured to determine a position of the build plane. A position measurement assembly includes one or more position sensors, and one or more mounting brackets configured to attach the one or more position sensors to an energy beam system of an additive manufacturing machine. The position measurement assembly is configured to determine a position of a build plane with the energy beam system situated in a fixed position relative to a reference plane coinciding with an expected location of the build plane.

Abstract: A procedure for calibration of at least one scanning system of a laser sinter or laser melt facility can be carried out in a short time, can take place automatically, and thereby can be carried out before each individual construction process. The procedure may include generation of at least one line pattern through at least one scanning system on a surface at the level of a construction field.

Abstract: A system (1) for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising one or more working stations (21), which are provided for performing at least one working process in the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, at least one freely positionable mobile storage unit (2) comprising a rack-like storage device (4) comprising at least one storage room (5) provided for storing at least one powder module (6), especially for the purpose of conveying the powder module (6) between different working stations (21) of the system (1), and at least one driverless, freely movable mobile conveying unit (3) comprising a receiving device (12) provided for receiving at least one mobile storage unit (2) for the purpose of conveying the storage unit (2) between different working stations (21) of the system (1).

Abstract: Portable measuring unit (1) for performing a measuring process for an apparatus for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, with a holding unit (2) configured for holding an image detection unit (3) in a position relative to a sample, wherein the image detection unit (3) is configured to measure an irradiation pattern of the sample (10) previously irradiated by the apparatus, wherein the portable measuring unit (1) is arbitrarily assignable to the or an apparatus.

Abstract: An unpacking device (4) for unpacking an additively manufactured three-dimensional object (2) from the unsolidified construction material (3) surrounding it after completion of an additive construction process, comprising a suction and/or blower device (12) which comprises at least one suction and/or blower tool (10) with a suction and/or blower tool body (12), wherein the geometric structural design of the suction and/or blower tool body (13) can be or is adapted to at least a partial area of the geometric structural design of an additively manufactured three-dimensional object (2) to be unpacked.

Abstract: A system (1) for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising one or more working stations (21), which are provided for performing at least one working process in the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, at least one freely positionable mobile storage unit (2) comprising a rack-like storage device (4) comprising at least one storage room (5) provided for storing at least one powder module (6), especially for the purpose of conveying the powder module (6) between different working stations (21) of the system (1), and at least one driverless, freely movable mobile conveying unit (3) comprising a receiving device (12) provided for receiving at least one mobile storage unit (2) for the purpose of conveying the storage unit (2) between different working stations (21) of the system (1).

Abstract: Methods for calibrating an irradiation device of an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material consolidated by at least two energy beams are provided. The at least two energy beams may be guided via at least two irradiation units. The method may comprise: generating at least two calibration patterns in a calibration specimen comprising an at least partially overlapping first sub-pattern and second sub-pattern, wherein the first sub-pattern is generated via the first irradiation unit and the second sub-pattern is generated via the second irradiation unit and determining calibration information relating to a calibration status of the two irradiation units based on the at least two calibration patterns. Systems and apparatus for performing such a method are also generally provided.

Abstract: A method for automatable or automated determination of the focal position of a laser beam (2) including the following steps: —arranging a substrate (10) in a first exposure position (z1), and exposing the substrate (10) with at least one exposure vector (13) in the first exposure position (z1), —moving the substrate (10) into several other exposure positions, in which the substrate (10) is respectively arranged in another certain z-axis position (zn) relative to the reference point (11), and respectively exposing the substrate (10) with at least one exposure vector (13) in the respective other exposure positions (zn), —optically evaluating the exposure pattern (12) by detecting different contrast sections in the exposure pattern (12) that can be optically detected, —determining the focal position of the laser beam (2) based on the detected optical contrast sections.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object (2) by means of successive layerwise selective consolidation of layers of build material (3), the apparatus (1) comprising a number of functional devices (7-10) operable at a defined operating voltage level, whereby the apparatus (1) comprises at least one voltage control device (13) configured to change the voltage level of a supply voltage (14) supplyable or supplied to the apparatus (1) from an electrical energy supply grid (15) from a supply grid voltage level different from the defined operating voltage level of the number of functional devices (7-10) of the apparatus (1) to the or a voltage level equal to the defined operating voltage level of the number of functional devices (7-10) of the apparatus (1).

Abstract: Apparatus (11) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (19) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, wherein a position determination device (1) is provided that is adapted to determine position data relating to a position of at least one part (3) of at least one object (2) based on a detection of a reflected part (8) of an energy beam (16) or a measurement beam (5) that is reflected at the at least one part (3) of the at least one object (2).

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (5), which apparatus (1) comprises a determination device (8) that is adapted to determine at least one parameter relating to the energy beam (5), wherein the determination device (8) comprises at least one determination unit (9) adapted to determine at least one first parameter of a reflected part (10) of the energy beam (5), which is reflected at a build plane (7), wherein the determination device (8) is adapted to determine a difference between a reference parameter and the at least one first parameter of the reflected part (10).

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy source (5), wherein a measurement beam source (4, 17) is provided which is adapted to generate a measurement beam (7), wherein a beam guiding unit (20) is provided that is adapted to guide the measurement beam (7) in the build plane (6) in the process chamber, wherein a determination device (8) is adapted to determine at least one parameter relating to the object (2) and/or a build material layer (9) based on interference.