Abstract: The invention relates to a transport device (1) and a method for distributing a plurality of similarly shaped and dimensioned articles (10). The transport device (1) comprises an infeed (2) for conveying articles (10) in a mass flow, and a distribution section (3) downstream of the infeed (2), where the distribution section (3) leads into a row transport (4), where the articles (10) are conveyed in at least two separate parallel rows (5). The transport device (1) also comprises at least one sensor device (6, 8, 11) signal-coupled to a motor-driven actuator (14) assigned to the distribution section (3) In the event of detected gaps, interruptions, or in the event of a detected termination of the mass flow within the infeed (2) or within the distribution section (3) or within the rows (5), the actuator (14) moves a movable steering device (16) adjoining the mass flow.

Abstract: A device (1) for applying packaging film to groups of articles (12) is disclosed. The device (1) comprises a horizontal conveyor (5) for transporting groups of articles (12) and a feed apparatus which is designed to introduce pieces of cut packaging film (14) into a transport path of the groups of articles (12) transported by the at least one horizontal conveyor (5). Furthermore, a plurality of wrapping rods (30) are provided, which are moved in a rotary fashion such that they take up a remaining free portion (17) of the piece of cut packaging film (14) and guide it around the group of articles (12) each time. A flow generating apparatus (40) is provided which is designed to generate at least one air volume flow, via which a remaining free portion (17) of the piece of cut packaging film (14) which has already been taken up by a wrapping rod (30) can be blown toward the group of articles (12) each time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recoating parameter control are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a blade holder, a blade, and a control element disposed within the blade holder, the control element to move the blade between a first position and a second position, the apparatus having a first stiffness when the blade is in the first position, the apparatus having a second stiffness when the blade is in the second position, the first stiffness greater than the second stiffness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the compounds of formula (I), wherein the variables are defined as given in the description and claims. The invention further relates to their use and composition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recoating parameter control are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a blade holder, a blade, and a control element disposed within the blade holder, the control element to move the blade between a first position and a second position, the apparatus having a first stiffness when the blade is in the first position, the apparatus having a second stiffness when the blade is in the second position, the first stiffness greater than the second stiffness.

Abstract: An apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include at least one calibration unit, at least one irradiation device, and a determination device. The least one calibration unit may include at least one calibration region arranged in the beam guiding plane, and the at least one calibration region may include a plurality of sub-regions differing in respect of at least one optical property. The at least one irradiation device may be configured to guide a plurality of energy beams across the at least one calibration region comprising the plurality of sub-regions, and a plurality of calibration signals may be generated by the plurality of sub-regions being irradiated with the plurality of energy beams. The determination device may be configured to determine the plurality of calibration signals and to determine a calibration status of the irradiation device based at least in part on the determined plurality of calibration signals.

Abstract: Methods of additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object by one or more energy beams include selectively directing a first energy beam across a powder bed along a plurality of first hatching paths and a first contour path that defines a first outer contour portion and a first stitching portion, wherein the first outer contour portion at least partially defines a first edge portion of an outer edge of the three-dimensional object, and wherein the first edge portion is non-linear, and selectively directing a second energy beam across the powder bed along a plurality of second hatching paths and a second contour path that at least partially defines a second edge portion of the outer edge of the three-dimensional object, wherein the second edge portion is adjacent the first edge portion, and wherein the first stitching portion extends into the plurality of second hatching paths along a non-linear stitching path.

Abstract: An apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include at least one calibration unit, at least one irradiation device, and a determination device. The least one calibration unit may include at least one calibration region arranged in the beam guiding plane, and the at least one calibration region may include a plurality of sub-regions differing in respect of at least one optical property. The at least one irradiation device may be configured to guide a plurality of energy beams across the at least one calibration region comprising the plurality of sub-regions, and a plurality of calibration signals may be generated by the plurality of sub-regions being irradiated with the plurality of energy beams. The determination device may be configured to determine the plurality of calibration signals and to determine a calibration status of the irradiation device based at least in part on the determined plurality of calibration signals.

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 (6, 6?) generated via an irradiation device (4), wherein the irradiation device (4) comprises at least one beam guiding unit (7, 7?) that is adapted to guide the energy beam (6, 6?) across a build plane (9) in which build material (3) is applied to be irradiated, wherein the at least one beam guiding unit (7, 7?) is arranged behind a point of impact (20) of the energy beam (6, 6?) in the build plane (9), in particular all possible points of impact (20), with respect to a streaming direction (16) of the gas stream (13) streaming over the build plane (9).

Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects, and/or a method of controlling one or more irradiation parameters of the energy beam system, may include determining an irradiation setting using an irradiation control model and outputting an irradiation control command to an energy beam system based at least in part on the irradiation setting. The irradiation control model may be configured to determine the irradiation setting based at least in part on a power density factor and/or an irradiation vector factor. The irradiation control command may be configured to change one or more irradiation parameters for additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object. An additive manufacturing system may include an energy beam system and a control system that includes an irradiation controller. The irradiation controller may include a control module configured to perform such a method.

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 (4), which apparatus (1) comprises an application unit (6) with at least one application element (7) adapted to apply build material (3) on a build plane (8), characterized in by a determination unit (12) that is adapted to determine contact information relating to a force acting on the at least one application element (7), preferably during an application process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport device (1) and a method for distributing a plurality of similarly shaped and dimensioned articles (10). The transport device (1) comprises an infeed (2) for conveying a plurality of similarly shaped and dimensioned articles (10) in a mass flow; a distribution section (3) downstream of the infeed (2), which distribution section (3), in the conveying direction (FR) of the articles (10), leads into a row transport (4), in which distribution section (3) the articles (10) are conveyed onwards or transported away in at least two separate parallel rows (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a back-side contact solar cell including a semiconductor substrate, in particular a silicon wafer, including a front side and a back side, the solar cell having electrodes of a first polarity and electrodes of a second polarity on the back side, wherein a tunnel layer and a highly doped silicon layer are positioned under the electrodes of a first polarity, and the electrodes of the second polarity make direct electrical and mechanical contact with the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A device (1) handling articles comprises at least one work module (30), which can move packages with article placed on a first packaging type and at least one folding mechanism (45) used to erect back and/or front flaps of the first packaging type. Another component of the device (1) is at least one transport module (20), with a transport device (2), along which articles intended for packages of a second packaging type move, where the second packaging type differs from the first packaging type. The at least one folding mechanism (45) and the transport device (2) alternate between an operating position (BP) and a waiting position (WP). The operating positions (BP) and the waiting positions (WP) are configured such that the at least one folding mechanism (45) is disposed exclusively adjacent to the right side or to the left side of the transport means (2).

Abstract: A packaging device (1) for producing packs each comprising several articles is disclosed. The packaging device (1) comprises at least one horizontal conveying device and at least one manipulator (25, 35). Article groups are moved via the at least one horizontal conveying device into a working area (AP1, AP2) of the at least one manipulator (25, 35). The at least one manipulator (25, 35) is designed to combine respective articles of a respective article group, which are moved into its working area (AP1, AP2) via the at least one horizontal conveying device, and for this purpose can apply at least one packaging material (40) to the respective article group.

Abstract: Method for additively manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object, comprising assigning a parameter indicative of the time required for irradiating a respective irradiation zone to a plurality of irradiation zones of a respective build material layer, assigning a first energy beam to the irradiation zone whose parameter indicates that the irradiation zone has the longest and second longest time required for irradiating and irradiating these irradiation zones with at least one respective first and second energy beams, wherein after irradiation and consolidating the irradiation zone whose parameter indicates that the irradiation zone has the second longest time required for irradiating and irradiating with the second energy beam is completed, assigning the at least one second energy beam to the irradiation zone whose parameter indicates that the irradiation zone has the third longest time required for irradiating and irradiating this irradiation zone with the at least one second energy beam.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recoating parameter control are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a blade holder, a blade, and a control element disposed within the blade holder, the control element to move the blade between a first position and a second position, the apparatus having a first stiffness when the blade is in the first position, the apparatus having a second stiffness when the blade is in the second position, the first stiffness greater than the second stiffness.

Abstract: Method for operating an 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, wherein irradiation data define at least two regions (8, 9) of object data relating to a three-dimensional object (2), which regions (8, 9) are irradiated based on at least two different irradiation parameters.

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 (4), which apparatus (1) comprises an application unit (6) with at least one application element (7) adapted to apply build material (3) on a build plane (8), characterized in by a determination unit (12) that is adapted to determine contact information relating to a force acting on the at least one application element (7), preferably during an application process.

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 (4), which apparatus (1) comprises an application unit (6) with at least one application element (7) adapted to apply build material (3) on a build plane (8), characterized in by a determination unit (12) that is adapted to determine contact information relating to a force acting on the at least one application element (7), preferably during an application process.