Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-assisted method for generating a control data set for an additive layer manufacturing device. In a first step, a layer data set is accessed, wherein points are marked in the data model which correspond to an object cross-section and at which the bid-up material should be solidified. In a second step, the layer data set is modified in such a way that for at least a portion of the object cross-section, the number of beams required for solidifying the build-up material inside said portion is determined preferably automatically, according to quality specifications of the portion and/or a manufacturing time of the object. In a third step, the modified layer data set is provided as a control data set for the additive layer manufacturing device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing control data for an additive manufacturing device. The method includes accessing computer-based model data of a section of the object to be manufactured, defining a first portion and an adjoining second portion within the object section, and producing a data model of a region of a layer of the object section. Within the region a first portion cross-section cuts through the first portion and a second portion cross-section cuts through the second portion. An energy input parameter in the data model has, on average, a different value in the first portion cross-section than in the second portion cross-section and the energy beam is moved over the boundary of the first and second portion. Control data corresponding to the data model is provided for the generation of a control data set for the additive manufacturing device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing a control command set for an additive manufacturing device. The method includes providing a parameter set consisting of a number of parameters, and a construction rule, which is suitable for describing at least one section of the object by the parameter set geometrically as a number of linear or flat elements in space; generating a computer-based layer model of the section of the object by determining, for each layer, the position and shape of a cross-section of the section of the object within the layer, generating a control command set for an additive manufacturing device by which the production of the section of the object is implemented on the basis of the layer model.

Abstract: A method for providing control data for manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object by means of a layer-wise solidification of a building material in an additive manufacturing apparatus is provided. The method includes at least the following steps: a) determining the locations corresponding to the cross section of the at least one object, b) determining at least two different regions to be solidified in said at least one layer, wherein said at least two regions are chosen from the group of: sandwiched region, down-facing region and up-facing region, c) defining a scanning sequence for the beam so as to solidify the building material at least at the locations corresponding to said portion of the cross section of the object, wherein at an interface between a first and a second region differing from each other a scan line of the beam is continuous and at least one beam parameter value is changed.

Abstract: A control method serves for controlling at least one solidification device of an additive manufacturing device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by means of an additive layer build method in which at least one object is manufactured by repeated application of a layer of a building material, to a build area and by selective solidification of the applied layer at positions corresponding to a cross-section of the object to be manufactured, wherein a gas having a plurality of flow directions which essentially are not aligned in the same direction flows across the build area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-assisted method for generating a control data set for an additive layer manufacturing device. In a first step, a layer data set is accessed, wherein points are marked in the data model which correspond to an object cross-section and at which the bid-up material should be solidified. In a second step, the layer data set is modified in such a way that for at least a portion of the object cross-section, the number of beams required for solidifying the build-up material inside said portion is determined preferably automatically, according to quality specifications of the portion and/or a manufacturing time of the object. In a third step, the modified layer data set is provided as a control data set for the additive layer manufacturing device.

Abstract: Method for calibrating an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by layer-wise selective solidification of building material with the step of generating an substantially periodic first modulation pattern in a first sub-area of the build area, the step of generating an substantially periodic second modulation pattern in a second sub-area of the build area, wherein in the overlap zone, the first modulation pattern and the second modulation pattern form an substantially periodic superposition pattern, whose period is larger than the period of the first modulation pattern and the period of the second modulation pattern, the step of detecting the superposition pattern, and the step of determining the deviation of the position of the superposition pattern on the build area from a reference position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing a control command set for an additive manufacturing device. The method includes providing a parameter set consisting of a number of parameters, and a construction rule, which is suitable for describing at least one section of the object by the parameter set geometrically as a number of linear or flat elements in space; generating a computer-based layer model of the section of the object by determining, for each layer, the position and shape of a cross-section of the section of the object within the layer, generating a control command set for an additive manufacturing device by which the production of the section of the object is implemented on the basis of the layer model.

Abstract: A method for providing control data to an additive manufacturing device includes a first step of accessing computer-based model data of a partial area of a cross-section of the object, and a second step of generating a data model of the sub-region, by specifying a solidification of the building material by at least one energy beam bundle along at least one solidification path. A plurality of solidification path sections are scanned at least twice with an energy beam bundle and the amount of energy to be introduced during the scanning is specified so that either the amount of energy introduced during the first scanning or a subsequent scanning is is too small to cause a solidification of the building material. In a third step, control data corresponding to the data model generated in the second step are provided for generating a control data set for the additive manufacturing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for additive production of a component layer of a component including the steps of: generating at least one layer from a powdery component material in the region of a structuring and joining zone; subdividing model data of the layer into virtual sub-regions by a control device; selecting at least one of the virtual sub-regions by the control device; localized heating of at least one heating region in a real sub-region of the layer corresponding with the selected virtual sub-region by a heating device; verifying whether a temperature of the layer has, in a predetermined inspection region, a predetermined minimum temperature; and localized solidifying of the layer in a predetermined solidifying region by selective irradiation by at least one energy beam of an energy source, if the layer has the predetermined minimum temperature in the inspection region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing control data for an additive manufacturing device. The method includes accessing computer-based model data of a section of the object to be manufactured, defining a first portion and an adjoining second portion within the object section, and producing a data model of a region of a layer of the object section. Within the region a first portion cross-section cuts through the first portion and a second portion cross-section cuts through the second portion. An energy input parameter in the data model has, on average, a different value in the first portion cross-section than in the second portion cross-section and the energy beam is moved over the boundary of the first and second portion. Control data corresponding to the data model is provided for the generation of a control data set for the additive manufacturing device.

Abstract: A method for providing control data for manufacturing at least one three-dimensional object by means of a layer-wise solidification of a building material in an additive manufacturing apparatus is provided. The method includes at least the following steps: a) determining the locations corresponding to the cross section of the at least one object, b) determining at least two different regions to be solidified in said at least one layer, wherein said at least two regions are chosen from the group of: sandwiched region, down-facing region and up-facing region, c) defining a scanning sequence for the beam so as to solidify the building material at least at the locations corresponding to said portion of the cross section of the object, wherein at an interface between a first and a second region differing from each other a scan line of the beam is continuous and at least one beam parameter value is changed.

Abstract: An exposure control device serves for equipping and/or retrofitting a generative layer-wise building device. The exposure control device has a first data output interface, at which control commands can be output to the exposure device. The control commands specify one of a plurality of exposure types defined by a predetermined combination of a radiation energy density to be emitted by the exposure device and a scanning pattern with which the radiation is being directed to a region of a layer of the building material. The exposure control device also includes a second data output interface at which an exposure type can be output in real time in relation to a timing of the output of a control command specifying this exposure type.

Abstract: Method for calibrating an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by layer-wise selective solidification of building material with the step of generating an substantially periodic first modulation pattern in a first sub-area of the build area, the step of generating an substantially periodic second modulation pattern in a second sub-area of the build area, wherein in the overlap zone, the first modulation pattern and the second modulation pattern form an substantially periodic superposition pattern, whose period is larger than the period of the first modulation pattern and the period of the second modulation pattern, the step of detecting the superposition pattern, and the step of determining the deviation of the position of the superposition pattern on the build area from a reference position.

Abstract: An exposure control device (31) serves for equipping and/or retrofitting a generative layer-wise building device (1). The latter comprises an exposure device (20) which emits electromagnetic radiation (22) or particle radiation and is configured to irradiate positions to be solidified in a layer in such a way that after cooling they exist as an object cross-section or part of the same. The exposure control device (31) has a first data output interface (36), at which control commands can be output to the exposure device (20). The control commands which are output specify one of a plurality of exposure types wherein an exposure type is defined by a predetermined combination of a radiation energy density to be emitted by the exposure device (20) and a scanning pattern with which the radiation (22) is being directed to a region of a layer of the building material (15).

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 (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 (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 (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.