Abstract: There are provided a device and a method for layer-wise generative manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by selective solidification of a solidifiable building material in liquid or powder form. By a rotational movement of the building region (2), in which the objects are manufactured, with respect to a material application device (7) for applying layers of the building materials and a solidification arrangement (1) the material application device (7) and the solidification arrangement (1) can be used simultaneously at different places in the building region.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a method for the heat treatment of substrates, incorporating an annular heat-treatment section with a rotary table designed to accept substrate holders, at least two of which substrate holders are positioned one behind the other in heat-treatment zones that extend in a radial spoke pattern around the center of the rotary table.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a three-dimensional object having the steps forming the object (3) in a container (1, 200) arranged within a process chamber (100) on a carrier (4) which can be displaced in the container by sequential selective solidification of layers of a pulverulent material (11) which can be solidified by the action of electromagnetic or particle radiation at positions corresponding to the cross-section of the object in the particular layer, characterised by the step of controlled removal of non-solidified pulverulent material (11) after completing the object (3).

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a method for the heat treatment of substrates, incorporating an annular heat-treatment section with a rotary table designed to accept substrate holders, at least two of which substrate holders are positioned one behind the other in heat-treatment zones that extend in a radial spoke pattern around the center of the rotary table.

Abstract: Coating apparatus for disk-shaped workpieces has a transport chamber with a workpiece transport configuration having two linearly driven transport rams connected to a rotational axis. The rams are within shell lines of a rotation body about the axis and are extended/retracted in the same direction as the axis. A workpiece receiver is at the ends of each ram and two operating openings communicate the transport chamber with stations of the apparatus including a coating station. Surface normals of the openings are in the direction of shell lines. A pump with pump opening communicates with the transport chamber and coating station. At least one of the rams has a closure for closing the pump opening and forming a seal therefor.

Abstract: Coating apparatus for disk-shaped workpieces has a transport chamber with a workpiece transport configuration having two linearly driven transport rams connected to a rotational axis. The rams are within shell lines of a rotation body about the axis and are extended/retracted in the same direction as the axis. A workpiece receiver is at the ends of each ram and two operating openings communicate the transport chamber with stations of the apparatus including a coating station. Surface normals of the openings are in the direction of shell lines. A pump with pump opening communicates with the transport chamber and coating station. At least one of the rams has a closure for closing the pump opening and forming a seal therefor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a coated substrate disk, comprises linearly bringing the substrate on a mounting, into an evacuated transport chamber and rotating the mounting in the chamber. The mounting is then extended into a coating position and coating of the substrate takes place. The mounting is then linearly retracted into the chamber again and rotated into a position for guiding the substrate out of the chamber. These steps are repeated for several substrates and then a pump opening into the chamber is closed by means of the mounting or the substrate. The chamber is then flooded and vacuum-tightly closed and the pump opening is released. The chamber is evacuated and the substrate moving and coating steps are repeated for more substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional part by successive layer-by-layer solidification of a solidifiable material, which is solidified at locations corresponding to the cross section of the part is described. The apparatus has a machine housing and a building space provided in the machine housing. An interchangeable container forms a delimiting frame for the material within the building space. The container has a work piece platform. The work piece platform is supported on a supporting device during operation of the apparatus. Preferably, the interchangeable container has a rear side wall with a recess extending vertically, and the supporting device engages the work piece platform through the recess.

Abstract: Coating installation and method for disk-shaped workpieces having a transport chamber (3) with a workpiece transport configuration (11) and at least two linearly extendable and retractable transport rams (15) driven under control and connected to a rotational axis (A) that is also driven under control. The rams are within shell lines of a rotation body about the rotational axis (A) and can be extended and retracted in the same direction with respect to a direction on the rotational axis. A workpiece receiver (17) is at the ends of each ram (15) and at least two operating openings (19B, 19S) by which the transport chamber (3) communicates with stations (21, 23) are provided, of which one is a coating station and wherein the surface normals (N) of the operating openings are in the direction of shell lines of the rotation body. A pump unit (34) communicates via a pump opening (30) with the transport chamber (3) as well as for the coating station (21).

Abstract: An apparatus is described for producing a three-dimensional object from a powder material which includes powder particles and which is solidifiable by exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus includes a support having a substantially plane support surface for supporting said object, an applying device for applying a layer of the powder material to the support surface, a radiation device for selectively exposing the powder material to electromagnetic radiation at places corresponding to the object and a discharge electrode for generating an electric field for reducing charge differences on the powder particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for layerwise production of an object using laser sintering by solidifying a material which is solidifiable by electromagnetic radiation comprises a device (5) for producing an electromagnetic beam (6) and a focusing device (8) for focusing the beam (6) onto the material within a working plane (7), whereby the focusing device (8) comprises a lens (9) and a mount (10) holding the lens (9), a ring nozzle (12) arranged adjacent to the image-side surface (11) of the lens (9) facing the working plane (7), the ring nozzle having its outlet oriented relative to the image-side surface (11) so that a discharged stream strokes tangentially along the image-side surface (11) towards the center, the inlet of the ring nozzle being selectively connected with a source of pressurized gas.

Abstract: In an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object by laser sintering the object is produced by successive solidification of layers of a powder material at points corresponding to a cross-section of said object using radiation for solidifying said powder material. The apparatus includes a support having a substantially plane upper side for supporting the object, a material applying device for applying a layer of the material onto the upper side or onto another layer formed on the upper side, and a solidification device for solidifying a layer of the material by irradiation. The material applying device has a coating device and a drive for displacing the coating device in a direction parallel to the upper side of the support.