US 12,076,924 B2
Loading an additive manufacturing system with opposite side access
Michael Cloots, St. Gallen (CH); Pascal Brunner, Hosenruck (CH); Kai Gutknecht, Uznach (CH); Florian Wirth, St. Gallen (CH); Philipp Lauber, Egnach (CH); Alex Frauchiger, St. Gallen (CH); and Stenli Karanxha, Salmsach (CH)
Assigned to United Grinding Group Management AG, Bern (CH)
Filed by UNITED GRINDING GROUP MANAGEMENT AG, Bern (CH)
Filed on Sep. 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/946,136.
Claims priority of application No. 21197231 (EP), filed on Sep. 16, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0078977 A1, Mar. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 64/25 (2017.01); B29C 64/259 (2017.01); B29C 64/295 (2017.01); B29C 64/35 (2017.01); B29C 64/371 (2017.01); B29C 64/386 (2017.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01); B33Y 50/00 (2015.01)
CPC B29C 64/25 (2017.08) [B29C 64/259 (2017.08); B29C 64/295 (2017.08); B29C 64/35 (2017.08); B29C 64/371 (2017.08); B29C 64/386 (2017.08); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/00 (2014.12)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An additive manufacturing system comprising
an operator area,
a loading area,
a building chamber comprising a building panel,
a lifting means, and
a transportable container unit,
wherein the operator area is configured to control the manufacturing system,
wherein the loading area is configured for loading the manufacturing system,
wherein the loading area comprises an interface for automated or manual insertion of the transportable container unit into the additive manufacturing system,
wherein the operator area is accessible from a first side of the manufacturing system, the loading area is accessible from a second side of the manufacturing system, and the first side is different from the second side,
wherein the operator area comprises an openable access to the building chamber, the openable access comprising a door and/or a window as entrance for an operator to the building chamber,
wherein the transportable container unit is insertable into the loading area and comprises a powder storage container and a building container,
wherein the powder storage container is configured for storing powder, and
the building container is configured for additive manufacturing of a workpiece, and
wherein the building chamber is couplable to the transportable container unit for applying the powder to the building panel, and wherein the lifting means is configured for lifting and docking the transportable container unit to a bottom of the building chamber, and
wherein the first side of the manufacturing system faces the second side of the manufacturing system.