US 12,240,165 B2
Metering device, device and method for additively producing a three-dimensional object
Karl Merz, Reinach (CH); Andreas Baumann, Gräfelfing (DE); and Ulrich Schmid, Dießen am Ammersee (DE)
Assigned to EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems, Krailling (DE)
Filed by EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems, Krailling (DE)
Filed on Oct. 3, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/150,450.
Claims priority of application No. 102017218175.3 (DE), filed on Oct. 11, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2019/0126552 A1, May 2, 2019
Int. Cl. B29C 64/153 (2017.01); B22F 10/28 (2021.01); B22F 12/13 (2021.01); B22F 12/57 (2021.01); B22F 12/60 (2021.01); B29C 64/218 (2017.01); B29C 64/343 (2017.01); B29C 64/386 (2017.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01)
CPC B29C 64/153 (2017.08) [B22F 12/57 (2021.01); B29C 64/218 (2017.08); B29C 64/343 (2017.08); B29C 64/386 (2017.08); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B22F 10/28 (2021.01); B22F 12/13 (2021.01); B22F 12/60 (2021.01); B22F 2999/00 (2013.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for producing a three-dimensional object by solidifying, layer by layer, a building material in powder form at positions corresponding to a cross-section of the object to be produced, the device comprising:
a recoater that moves over a working plane in a recoating direction for applying a layer of the building material in a recoating area,
wherein:
at an angle to the recoating direction of the recoater, the recoating area has different dimensions along the recoating direction; and
the recoating area has a non-rectangular shape;
a metering device that is arranged to be stationary in the device at an intended rest and/or filling position of the recoater, wherein the metering device has a metering roller, the metering roller being rotatable about its longitudinal axis and being suitable for dispensing the building material in powder form in a metered manner,
wherein:
at least one surface of the metering roller comprises at least one indentation having a defined volume;
the at least one indentation is suitable for receiving a defined amount of powder;
the at least one indentation extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the metering roller;
the at least one indentation having a width and/or a depth that varies along the longitudinal direction of the metering roller; and
the depth and/or width of the at least one indentation varying in a stepless manner along the longitudinal direction;
wherein the varying depth and/or width of the at least one indentation provides such a shape to the indentation that the non-rectangular shape of the recoating area is achieved when the building material is dispensed by the metering roller and drawn out by the recoater to form the recoating area.