Abstract: A device (51) for applying layers or a powder material (71) by means of an application device (52) is described, wherein the application device (52) can be moved back and forth between two end positions in order to apply a layer of material (71) and the application device (52) comprises a blade (56) for removing excess material during the application of a layer of material (71). The device (51) is characterized by a material transport device (53), by which the material can be transferred from one side of the blade (56) to the other side of the blade. The device has the particular advantage that layers of material (71) can be applied without any loss of material and is particularly applicable in a laser sintering device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for calibrating an irradiation device of an apparatus for generatively manufacturing a three-dimensional object. The calibration includes steps of arranging an image converter plate (12) in or in parallel to a working plane of the apparatus, wherein the image converter plate (12) outputs detectable light (13), when the irradiation device irradiates predetermined positions of the image converter plate (12) with energetic radiation; of scanning the image converter plate (12) by the irradiation device; of detecting the detectable light (13) by a light detector (15); of determining coordinates of the irradiation device, when the detected light (13) is detected; of comparing the determined coordinates with predetermined reference coordinates; and of calibrating the irradiation device on the basis of a deviation between the determined coordinates and the reference coordinates.

Abstract: A process chamber for a processing of a material by means of a directed beam of electromagnetic radiation is provided, which comprises an optical element (9) for coupling the beam (7) into the process chamber (10), wherein the optical element has a surface (9a) facing the inside of the process chamber, a wall section (12) surrounding the optical element (9), a first inlet (16) for a gas that is arranged at one side of the optical element (9) and designed such that an escaping first gas flow (18) strokes substantially tangentially over the surface (9a) of the optical element (9), a second inlet (23) for a gas, which is designed and arranged such that an escaping second gas flow (25) flows at a distance to the surface (9a) in substantially the same direction as the first gas flow (18).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object is provided, in which the object is solidified layer by layer by solidifying a building material by means of a beam of a gas laser at locations in each layer corresponding to the cross section of the object, wherein the power of the laser is measured and the power of the laser is controlled according to the measured value, characterized in that the power measurement takes place in a time window, in which a change of the power occurs, and an input control signal of the laser is controlled according to the measured values.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing three-dimensional objects by laser sintering is provided, the object is formed by solidifying powder material layer by layer at locations in each layer corresponding to the object by means of laser radiation, wherein an IR-radiation image in an applied powder layer is detected, characterized in that defects and/or geometrical irregularities in the applied powder layer are determined on the basis of the IR-radiation image.

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).

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).

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. A feed (96) that supplies the building material to a building space (10) in the device (1) and at least two filler portions (98a, 98b) that are provided at the feed (96) and are independent from one another are provided, wherein one connector (99a, 99b) is provided for each building material supply container (100a, 100b) in order to supply the building material from outside of the device (1).

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).

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.

Abstract: A device (51) for applying layers or a powder material (71) by means of an application device (52) is described, wherein the application device (52) can be moved back and forth between two end positions in order to apply a layer of material (71) and the application device (52) comprises a blade (56) for removing excess material during the application of a layer of material (71). The device (51) is characterized by a material transport device (53), by which the material can be transferred from one side of the blade (56) to the other side of the blade. The device has the particular advantage that layers of material (71) can be applied without any loss of material and is particularly applicable in a laser sintering device.

Abstract: Provision is made of an apparatus and a method for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects (3) by local solidification of layers of a building material at positions corresponding to the respective cross-section of the object (3), by exposure to electromagnetic or particle radiation. The apparatus comprises a temperature measuring assembly (13) for non-contact measurement of the temperature of the building material in a measurement region (14) which is a partial region of the layer of the building material, and comprises further a position adjustment device (15) for altering the position of the measurement region (14) of the temperature measuring assembly (13) independently of the alteration of the position of the region exposed to the radiation energy. This apparatus can be used to actively access a not exposed region of the surface for measuring the temperature of each layer and to detect a temperature distribution by altering the position of a measurement region (14) in a layer.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for calibrating the control of a radiation device producing electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in a rapid prototyping system.