Abstract: A process for melting/sintering powder particles for layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects is performed by a) applying a layer of a powder material solidifiable under the action of electromagnetic radiation, b) heating the powder material to not more than 10 K below the melting point according to DIN 53765 by a radiation from a heat-radiating element whose maximum radiation intensity is at a wavelength of 5000 nm or at longer wavelengths, c) selective melting/sintering of at least a region of the powder material which corresponds to the cross section of the three-dimensional object, d) repeating steps a) to c) until the three-dimensional object is obtained.

Abstract: A process for melting/sintering powder particles for layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects is performed by a) applying a layer of a powder material solidifiable under the action of electromagnetic radiation, b) heating the powder material to not more than 10 K below the melting point according to DIN 53765 by a radiation from a heat-radiating element whose maximum radiation intensity is at a wavelength of 5000 nm or at longer wavelengths, c) selective melting/sintering of at least a region of the powder material which corresponds to the cross section of the three-dimensional object, d) repeating steps a) to c) until the three-dimensional object is obtained.

Abstract: A process for melting/sintering powder particles for layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects is performed by a)applying a layer of a powder material solidifiable under the action of electromagnetic radiation, b) heating the powder material to not more than 10 K below the melting point according to DIN 53765 by a radiation from a heat-radiating element whose maximum radiation intensity is at a wavelength of 5000 nm or at longer wavelengths, c) selective melting/sintering of at least a region of the powder material which corresponds to the cross section of the three-dimensional object, d)repeating steps a) to c) until the three-dimensional object is obtained.

Abstract: A process for melting/sintering powder particles for layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects is performed by a)applying a layer of a powder material solidifiable under the action of electromagnetic radiation, b) heating the powder material to not more than 10 K below the melting point according to DIN 53765 by a radiation from a heat-radiating element whose maximum radiation intensity is at a wavelength of 5000 nm or at longer wavelengths, c) selective melting/sintering of at least a region of the powder material which corresponds to the cross section of the three-dimensional object, d)repeating steps a) to c) until the three-dimensional object is obtained.

Abstract: A process for melting/sintering powder particles for layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects wherein a layer of powder particles is irradiated by a nonlinear path of an electromagnetic radiation is provided. Also provided are an apparatus to conduct the process and three dimensional objects obtained by the process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects wherein a powder layer is melted with a laser beam shaped such that the focus maximum power density is less than 50% greater than the average power density, is provided. Also provided are the corresponding mouldings.

Abstract: An apparatus for the simultaneous layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects, containing a construction chamber with a height-adjustable construction platform, an apparatus for applying, to the construction platform, a layer of a material that can be hardened by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and irradiation equipment. The irradiation equipment contains a radiation source emitting electromagnetic radiation, a control unit and a lens located in a beam path of the electromagnetic radiation, for irradiating sites within the layer that correspond to an object, in which a cooling element can be produced at the same time as the object. A process for the layer-by-layer production of a three-dimensional object in the apparatus, involves producing an object and a cooling element at the same time.

Abstract: A process for melting/sintering powder particles for layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects wherein a layer of powder particles is irradiated by a nonlinear path of an electromagnetic radiation is provided. Also provided are an apparatus to conduct the process and three dimensional objects obtained by the process.

Abstract: A method for layer-by-layer production of a three dimensional object is provided. The method includes applying a layer of a polymer powder having a thickness; selectively irradiating portions of the polymer powder layer with a laser beam having an average power density and a focus maximum power density to melt and sinter the irradiated polymer powder; cooling the melted and sintered powder to obtain a solid mass having a shape; and repeating the application, irradiating and cooling operations until the three dimensional object is obtained; wherein a duty factor of the laser beam is greater than 60%. Also provided is an apparatus to carry out the method and a molding obtained therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects wherein a powder layer is melted with a laser beam shaped such that the focus maximum power density is less than 50% greater than the average power density, is provided. Also provided are the corresponding mouldings.

Abstract: An apparatus for the layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects having a material application unit containing a doctor blade with an edge closest to the construction field having a non-continuous straight line. In one embodiment the blade may vibrate. A process for layer-by-layer production, wherein the construction field is completely coated with applied powder prior to irradiation is also provided. Three dimensional articles made according to the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plastic molded bodies having two-dimensional or three-dimensional image structures produced in the interior through laser subsurface engraving. The plastic molded bodies are made of plastic materials which have a content of nanoscale metal oxides having particle sizes from 1 to 500 nm, both the plastic material and also the included metal oxide being transparent to the laser light used for producing the image structures. The plastic materials from which the molded bodies are manufactured particularly contain metal oxides having particle sizes from 5 to 100 nm at a content of 0.0001 to 0.1 weight-percent. Typical metal oxides are nanoscale indium-tin oxide or antimony-tin oxide.