Abstract: In a method of operating an irradiation system (10) for irradiating layers of a raw material powder with laser radiation in order to produce a three-dimensional work piece (110) at least a section of a raw material powder layer (11) applied onto a carrier (102) is selectively irradiated with linearly polarized laser radiation. An orientation of a plane of polarization of the linearly polarized laser radiation is controlled in dependence on an orientation of a plane of incidence of the linearly polarized laser radiation on the raw material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing three-dimensional workpieces (15), comprising a carrier (7) for receiving raw material powder (9), a build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) which extend substantially vertically and which is adapted to laterally delimit and support the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7); an irradiation unit (17) for selectively irradiating the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7) with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce on the carrier (7) a workpiece (15) manufactured from the raw material powder (9) by an additive layer building method, wherein the irradiation unit (17) comprises at least one optical element; and a vertical movement device (31) which is adapted to move the irradiation unit (17) vertically relative to the carrier (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing three-dimensional workpieces (15), comprising a carrier (7) for receiving raw material powder (9), a build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) which extend substantially vertically and which is adapted to laterally delimit and support the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7); an irradiation unit (17) for selectively irradiating the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7) with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce on the carrier (7) a workpiece (15) manufactured from the raw material powder (9) by an additive layer building method, wherein the irradiation unit (17) comprises at least one optical element; and a vertical movement device (31) which is adapted to move the irradiation unit (17) vertically relative to the carrier (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for producing a three-dimensional workpiece, comprising: a carrier (12) adapted to receive material (14) for producing the workpiece; at least one mobile production unit (24), a moving unit (18) that is adapted to move the mobile production unit (24) relative to the carrier (12) so as to position the mobile production unit (24) oppositely to different sections of the carrier (12); a sensing unit that is adapted to generate sensor signals relating to a relative arrangement of the mobile production unit (24) and the carrier (12); and a control unit that is configured to, in addition to the positioning of the mobile production unit (24) via the moving unit (18), provide at least one fine positioning function to compensate for an offset from a desired relative arrangement of the mobile production unit (24) and the carrier (18) based on the sensor signals generated by the sensing unit.

Abstract: In a method for producing a three-dimensional workpiece (12), a first raw material powder (50) is applied to a substrate (18) in order to produce a raw material powder layer consisting of the first raw material powder (50). The raw material powder layer consisting of the first raw material powder (50) is selectively irradiated with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce a solidified first workpiece layer portion (52) from the first raw material powder (50). Non-solidified first raw material powder (50) is then removed from the substrate (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing three-dimensional workpieces (15), comprising a carrier (7) for receiving raw material powder (9), a build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) which extend substantially vertically and which is adapted to laterally delimit and support the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7); an irradiation unit (17) for selectively irradiating the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7) with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce on the carrier (7) a workpiece (15) manufactured from the raw material powder (9) by an additive layer building method, wherein the irradiation unit (17) comprises at least one optical element; and a vertical movement device (31) which is adapted to move the irradiation unit (17) vertically relative to the carrier (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional workpiece. The method comprises irradiating a raw material layer with a laser beam, wherein a melt bath is produced at a point at which the laser beam impinges on the raw material layer, changing a position of the laser beam on the raw material layer with the aid of a first diverting unit and changing the position of the laser beam on the raw material layer with the aid of a second diverting unit. The second diverting unit is designed to divert the position of the laser beam with a greater acceleration than a maximum possible acceleration of a diversion by the first diverting unit. The invention also relates to a device for producing a three-dimensional workpiece.

Abstract: We describe a process chamber, an apparatus, a modular system, a method, a safety device, a positioning system and a system for producing a three-dimensional workpiece and/or for use thereof when producing a three-dimensional workpiece. The process chamber for producing the three-dimensional workpiece via an additive layer construction method comprises: a material supply unit comprising a substantially ring-like shaped end portion at a first side of the process chamber, wherein the material supply unit is adapted to supply, via the end portion, material to a carrier on which the material is to be processed by the process chamber for producing the three-dimensional workpiece, and an opening at the first side of the process chamber for processing, by the process chamber, the material supplied on the carrier in order to produce the three-dimensional workpiece, wherein the substantially ring-like shaped end portion surrounds the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing three-dimensional workpieces (15), comprising a carrier (7) for receiving raw material powder (9), a build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) which extend substantially vertically and which is adapted to laterally delimit and support the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7); an irradiation unit (17) for selectively irradiating the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7) with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce on the carrier (7) a workpiece (15) manufactured from the raw material powder (9) by an additive layer building method, wherein the irradiation unit (17) comprises at least one optical element; and a vertical movement device (31) which is adapted to move the irradiation unit (17) vertically relative to the carrier (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional workpiece. The method comprises irradiating a raw material layer with a laser beam, wherein a melt bath is produced at a point at which the laser beam impinges on the raw material layer, changing a position of the laser beam on the raw material layer with the aid of a first diverting unit and changing the position of the laser beam on the raw material layer with the aid of a second diverting unit. The second diverting unit is designed to divert the position of the laser beam with a greater acceleration than a maximum possible acceleration of a diversion by the first diverting unit. The invention also relates to a device for producing a three-dimensional workpiece.

Abstract: A device (48) for calibrating an irradiation system (18) of an apparatus (10) for producing a three-dimensional work piece comprises a control unit (50) adapted to control the irradiation system (18) so as to irradiate a radiation beam (22; 22a, 22b) onto an irradiation plane (52) according to a calibration pattern. The device (48) further comprises a sensor arrangement (56) adapted to be arranged in the irradiation plane (52) and to output signals to the control unit (50) in response to being irradiated with the radiation beam (22; 22a, 22b) according to the calibration pattern.

Abstract: In a method for controlling an irradiation system for use in an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional work piece, a first and a second irradiation area as well as an overlap area arranged between the first and the second irradiation area are defined on a surface of a carrier adapted to receive layers of a raw material powder to be irradiated with electromagnetic or particle radiation emitted by the irradiation system. A first irradiation unit of the irradiation system is assigned to the first irradiation area and the overlap area, and a second irradiation unit of the irradiation system is assigned to the second irradiation area and the overlap area. At least one of the first irradiation area, the second irradiation area and the overlap area is defined in dependence on a geometry of the three-dimensional work piece to be produced.

Abstract: A powder application arrangement for use in an apparatus for manufacturing work pieces by irradiating powder layers with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, the powder application arrangement comprises a carrier adapted to receive layers of a raw material powder and a work piece made of the raw material powder by a generative layer construction method. The powder application arrangement further includes a powder application device configured to deposit the raw material powder onto the carrier At least one camera is attached to the powder application device in such a position that it is capable of acquiring images of at least one of a surface of a raw material powder layer applied onto the carrier by means of the powder application device and a surface of the work piece made of the raw material powder by a generative layer construction method while the powder application device is moved across the carrier.

Abstract: An unpacking system for use in an apparatus for producing three-dimensional work pieces by irradiating layers of a raw material powder electromagnetic or particle radiation comprises a supporting structure which is configured to support a building chamber arrangement. The building chamber arrangement comprises a building chamber accommodating a carrier, the carrier being configured to receive a three-dimensional work piece produced from a raw material powder by an additive layering process. A lowering mechanism of the unpacking system is configured to apply a driving force to the building chamber so as to lower the building chamber relative to the carrier until a three-dimensional work piece received on the carrier can be removed from the carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for producing a three-dimensional workpiece, comprising: a carrier (12) adapted to receive material (14) for producing the workpiece; at least one mobile production unit (24), a moving unit (18) that is adapted to move the mobile production unit (24) relative to the carrier (12) so as to position the mobile production unit (24) oppositely to different sections of the carrier (12); a sensing unit that is adapted to generate sensor signals relating to a relative arrangement of the mobile production unit (24) and the carrier (12); and a control unit that is configured to, in addition to the positioning of the mobile production unit (24) via the moving unit (18), provide at least one fine positioning function to compensate for an offset from a desired relative arrangement of the mobile production unit (24) and the carrier (18) based on the sensor signals generated by the sensing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional work piece, the apparatus comprises a process chamber accommodating a carrier for receiving a raw material powder, an irradiation device for selectively irradiating electromagnetic or particle radiation onto the raw material powder on the carrier in order to produce a work piece made of said raw material powder by an additive layer construction method, a first gas inlet for supplying gas to the process chamber and a gas outlet for discharging gas from the process chamber, wherein the first gas inlet and the gas outlet are configured and arranged in such a manner that a first gas flow across the carrier is generated, a transmission element which allows the transmission of the electromagnetic or particle radiation emitted by the irradiation device into the process chamber, and a second gas inlet for supplying gas to the process chamber, wherein the second gas inlet is configured and arranged in such a manner that a second gas flow in a direction facing away from th

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for producing a three-dimensional workpiece by carrying out an additive layering process, wherein the device (10) comprises: a build area (17) that is configured to receive a raw material powder layer; a powder application device (14) that is configured to deploy the raw material powder layer onto the build area (17); an irradiation system (20) that is configured to selectively irradiate the raw material powder layer on the build area (17); wherein the device (10) is configured to provide at least one gas flow (48) that is directed along an axis (A) extending from a first edge region (44) of the build area (17) towards a second edge region (46) of the build area (17); and wherein the device (10) comprises at least one gas flow guide element (36) that is configured to divert at least a part of the gas flow (48) away from the build area (17) before said gas flow (48) reaches the second edge region (46); wherein the gas flow guide element (36) comprises a gas supply

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing three-dimensional workpieces (15), comprising a carrier (7) for receiving raw material powder (9), a build chamber wall (11, 11a, 11b) which extend substantially vertically and which is adapted to laterally delimit and support the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7); an irradiation unit (17) for selectively irradiating the raw material powder (9) applied to the carrier (7) with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation in order to produce on the carrier (7) a workpiece (15) manufactured from the raw material powder (9) by an additive layer building method, wherein the irradiation unit (17) comprises at least one optical element; and a vertical movement device (31) which is adapted to move the irradiation unit (17) vertically relative to the carrier (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional work piece comprises a carrier to receive a layer of raw material powder, a control unit, an irradiation system adapted to selectively irradiate electromagnetic or particle radiation onto the layer of raw material powder applied onto the carrier, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the irradiation system in such a manner that the raw material powder is heated to a first temperature which allows sintering and/or melting of the raw material powder in order to generate a layer of the three-dimensional work piece, and a heating system adapted to selectively irradiate electromagnetic or particle radiation onto the layer of raw material powder applied onto the carrier, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the operation of the heating system in such a manner that the raw material powder is heated to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature.

Abstract: An unpacking device for use in an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional work piece by irradiating layers of a raw material powder with electromagnetic or particle radiation, the unpacking device comprises a holding device which is configured to hold a building chamber arrangement. The building chamber arrangement comprises a building chamber accommodating a carrier, wherein the carrier is configured to receive a three-dimensional work piece produced from a raw material powder by an additive layering process. An engagement unit of the unpacking device is configured to engage with the carrier of the building chamber arrangement. A moving mechanism is configured to cause a relative movement between the building chamber and the engagement unit with the carrier engaged therewith so as to allow a separation of the carrier with a three-dimensional work piece received thereon from the building chamber.