Unpacking device for unpacking an additively manufactured three-dimensional object from the surrounding construction material

Abstract

An unpacking device ( 4 ) for unpacking an additively manufactured three-dimensional object ( 2 ) from the unsolidified construction material ( 3 ) surrounding it after completion of an additive construction process, wherein the unpacking device ( 4 ) is formed as a robot ( 7 ) having at least three robot axes (A 1 -A 6 ), especially an industrial robot, wherein at least one unpacking tool ( 10 ) is arranged or formed on a robot axis (A 6 ), which is provided for unpacking an additively manufactured three-dimensional object ( 2 ) from the unsolidified construction material ( 3 ) surrounding it after completion of an additive construction process, or the unpacking device ( 4 ) comprises at least one such robot ( 7 ).

We claim: 
     
         1 . An unpacking station for a system for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object, the unpacking station comprising:
 a construction module configured to contain the three-dimensional object and unsolidified construction material surrounding the three-dimensional object;   an unpacking device for unpacking the three-dimensional object from the unsolidified construction material after completion of an additive construction process, wherein the unpacking device comprises a robot having at least three robot axes;   at least one unpacking tool arranged or formed on a robot axis, the unpacking tool provided for unpacking the three-dimensional object from the unsolidified construction material surrounding the three-dimensional object after completion of the additive construction process; and   a movement device configured to provide movement of the robot relative to the three-dimensional object or movement of the robot relative to the construction module.   
     
     
         2 . The unpacking station according to  claim 1 , wherein unpacking the three-dimensional object from the unsolidified construction material comprises removal of the construction material surrounding the three-dimensional object. 
     
     
         3 . The unpacking station according to  claim 1 , wherein the unpacking station comprises an unpacking chamber, and wherein the unpacking device is arranged or formed on or in a bottom, side, or top wall limiting the unpacking chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The unpacking station according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the robot axes of the robot can be controlled independently. 
     
     
         5 . The unpacking station according to  claim 1 , wherein the unpacking tool is a suction and/or blower tool forming part of a suction and/or blower device. 
     
     
         6 . The unpacking station according to  claim 1 , further comprising pipe elements arranged or formed on or in the robot through which suction and/or blower flow may flow, wherein the suction and/or the blower tool is connected via the pipe elements with part of a suction and/or blower device which generates a suction and/or blowing stream. 
     
     
         7 . The unpacking station according to  claim 1 , wherein the unpacking tool is configured to perform a combined unpacking process comprising:
 a suction process using a suction tool; and   a blowing process using a blower tool.   
     
     
         8 . The unpacking station according to  claim 7 , wherein suction process and the blowing process are performed simultaneously. 
     
     
         9 . The unpacking station according to  claim 7 , wherein suction process and the blowing process are performed at staggered intervals. 
     
     
         10 . The unpacking station according to  claim 1 , wherein the unpacking tool is arranged exchangeably on the robot so that it is arranged exchangeably as necessary on the respective robot axis. 
     
     
         11 . The unpacking station according to  claim 1 , wherein the unpacking device comprises a plurality of robots. 
     
     
         12 . The unpacking station according to  claim 1 , wherein the robot comprises a gripping element, wherein a detachable attachment of the unpacking tool at the respective robot axis is realized in that the respective robot axis comprises the gripping element, which is configured to grip the unpacking tool. 
     
     
         13 . The unpacking station according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control device provided for generating control information controlling the movements of the robot axes during operation of the robot, wherein the control device is provided for generating the control information on the basis of data describing the geometric structural design of the three-dimensional object to be unpacked. 
     
     
         14 . An unpacking station according to  claim 1 , further comprising an unpacking chamber, wherein the unpacking device is arranged or formed on or in a bottom, side, or top wall limiting the unpacking chamber. 
     
     
         15 . A system for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising at least one unpacking station according to  claim 1 .