HK1181709A - Building-space changing device and an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object with a building-space changing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A building-space changing device for an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object by making a powdered building material solidify layer by layer at the points in the respective layers that correspond to the object has one or more smaller bases (32) or one or more building-space separating elements (20) on a building platform (2), whereby the apparatus has one or more smaller building areas (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), in which the powder material is used more effectively or different powder materials are processed.

Description

Building space changing device and apparatus for producing three-dimensional object using building space changing device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for modifying a building space, for an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by solidifying a powdered building material layer by layer in corresponding layers at a plurality of locations corresponding to the object, and to an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object having an apparatus for modifying a building space.

Background

An apparatus for fabricating three-dimensional objects by solidifying powdered build material layer by layer (e.g., in the form of a laser sintering machine) consists of, for example, a build area having a size of 250x250mm, such as an EOSINT M270 laser sintering system. Due to the large construction space, such devices may be too large and inflexible for the manufacture of small objects, such as dental inlays. Due to the large area of the building platform, a large amount of powdery material needs to be applied, wherein only a small part of the powdery material is processed into one object. Thereafter, the uncured material is recycled in the usual manner. Thus, when making smaller objects, the economic efficiency of the machine is reduced.

For reasons of development effort and manufacturing costs and limited use of the device, it is often not profitable to develop devices that are particularly suitable for manufacturing objects of small dimensions.

Patent specification DE 19952998B 4 discloses a device for directly producing a body with a layered structure from a powdery substance, with two building spaces and two associated storage containers. The bottom of these building spaces and the storage containers are each connected to their own respective drives, making the apparatus complex and inflexible.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for a device for manufacturing objects by solidifying a powdered building material layer by layer and such a device, such that a device with a large building space can be configured in such a way that it is possible to economically manufacture objects with different dimensions by solidifying the powdered building material layer by layer.

This object and further developments of the invention are taught by the claims.

An aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for modifying a construction space, which is capable of reducing or dividing the construction space into one or more separate small construction areas in which objects with less powder input can be manufactured, or different kinds of powders can be processed in parallel. The equipment for modifying the construction space has a simple construction and is therefore cost-effective and can be easily retrofitted or removed.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and objects of the present invention can be understood by the description of the embodiments based on the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary laser sintering apparatus for fabricating three-dimensional objects;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an exemplary build plane of an apparatus that may be retrofitted or improved using equipment for modifying a build space;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary build chamber along the line of intersection shown in FIG. 2 at the end of a process for fabricating an object by solidifying a powdered build material layer-by-layer;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an exemplary assembly of equipment in the apparatus according to FIG. 1 with a modified build area for modifying a build space according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an exemplary assembly of equipment in the apparatus according to FIG. 1 for modifying a construction space with several modified construction zones according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a construction plane with a device for modifying equipment for constructing a space according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein the application device is not depicted;

figure 8a is a sectional view of the build plane shown in figure 7 along a section line at the beginning of a process of manufacturing an object by solidifying a powdered build material layer by layer, according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional view of the build plane shown in FIG. 7 along a line of intersection at the end of a process for fabricating an object by solidifying a powdered build material layer by layer, according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a construction plane with a device for modifying the equipment of the construction space according to yet another embodiment of the invention, wherein the application device is not depicted;

figure 10a is a sectional view of the build plane as shown in figure 9 along a section line at the beginning of a process of manufacturing an object by solidifying a powdered build material layer by layer, according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

figure 10b is a cross-sectional view of the build plane as shown in figure 9 along a section line at the end of a process of manufacturing an object by solidifying a powdered build material layer by layer, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 shows a laser sintering apparatus as an example of an apparatus for layer-by-layer manufacturing of a three-dimensional object by a generative manufacturing method. The apparatus comprises a frame 1 which is open at the top and forms a building chamber, and which comprises a support therein in the form of a building platform 2 which is movable in a vertical direction and supports a three-dimensional object 3 to be manufactured and which defines a building site. The building platform 2 is adjusted in the vertical direction such that the layer of the object 3 to be solidified is located within the building plane 4. Furthermore, an application device 5 is provided for applying a powdered building material, which can be solidified by electromagnetic radiation. A radiation system comprises a laser 6 as a source of electromagnetic radiation. The other component of the radiation system is a deflection arrangement 8 by means of which the laser beam 7 generated by the laser 6 is deflected to an entrance window 9, passes through the entrance window into the process chamber 10 and is focused to a predetermined point in the building plane 4. Furthermore, a control unit 11 is provided, by means of which the components of the apparatus are controlled in a coordinated manner to carry out the construction process. The control unit 11 operates, inter alia, on the basis of CAD data of the object to be manufactured. The apparatus further includes a gas circulation and gas preparation system (not shown).

The powdery material is stored in a storage container and a metering container 12, respectively, and it is supplied to the construction site by the application device 5.

For powdered materials, any powder and/or powder mixture suitable for laser sintering processes may be used. Such powders include, for example, synthetic powders, such as polyamide or polystyrene, PEEK, metal powders, such as high-quality steel powder or other metal powders suitable for the respective use, in particular alloys, and also synthetic coated sand or ceramic powders.

The operation of such a laser sintering device is carried out in such a way that the application device 5 moves over the building site and applies a powder layer at a predetermined thickness. Thereafter, the corresponding layer of the cross-section of the object 3 is irradiated by the laser beam 7 and the powder solidifies there. Subsequently, the building platform 2 is lowered and a new powder layer is applied. The manufacture of the object 3 is performed layer by layer in this way. After finishing, the object 3 is removed and subjected to post-treatment and/or quality control if necessary.

Fig. 2 shows, by way of example, a plan view of a building plane 4 of a laser sintering device which can be equipped with or retrofitted with equipment for modifying a building space, wherein the building platform 2 is provided spatially between the metering container 12 and the overflow container 13. Here, the term "retrofittable" means that the apparatus can be operated without equipment for dividing the construction space, and that such equipment for dividing the construction space can be incorporated without modifying the apparatus itself, wherein parts of the equipment for dividing the construction space can be fixed at various parts of the apparatus.

The metering container 12, the building platform 2, on which the powdery building material is transported and over which the building space 22 is formed, and the overflow container 13 have substantially the same width in the vertical direction of fig. 2. The metering container 12 includes a stamp or piston (not shown) for delivering powder to the top.

The powdered building material is fed into the building space 22 by an application device (not shown in fig. 2) and excess powdered material falls into the overflow container 13 by further movement of the application device.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the build chamber at the end of the process of manufacturing an object by solidifying a powdered build material layer by layer, along the line of intersection as shown in figure 2. One application device 5 is shown above the building space 22, in which three manufactured objects 3 are shown.

The construction space 22 is limited below by the construction platform 2 and laterally by the frame 1. The building plate 15 is located on the building platform 2, that is to say within the building space 22, and not necessarily up to the frame 1, as depicted in fig. 3. The build space 22 is filled with powder 16 (e.g. a powdered build material) in the area surrounding the object 3 such that all objects 3 (where the powder is solidified by the laser beam 7) are manufactured from the same powder. Thus, one or more objects 3 can be manufactured simultaneously.

The application device 5 comprises a blade 14 by which the powder 3 is applied to the building platform 2.

The building platform 2 can be vertically moved in height by the lifting organ 18, so that the height of the layer of powder 16 applied by the application device 5 can be adjusted according to specific processing parameters.

Fig. 4 shows, by way of example, a plan view of an assembly 27 of an apparatus for modifying a building space in a first embodiment of a laser sintering device. The assembly comprises a base element, here in the form of a disc 28. The dimensions of the plate 8 correspond approximately to the areas of the original building region 29 and the original metering container region 30, which were originally contained in the device. The tray 28 has a boundary in the width direction (in the vertical direction in fig. 4) which is wider than the original build area 29 and the original metering container area 30. The area of the tray below the boundary is wide enough to fit into a gap in the original build area 29 and the original metering container area 30, which is required for assembly. The disc 28 is also adapted lengthwise to the desired clearance in the outer limits of these areas. The border can also be implemented in a different way or the border can be omitted, so that the disc 28 rests on the original intermediate wall 31.

In the tray 28, a defined building area 22.1 is provided, in which a three-dimensional object can be manufactured. The building area is a space of a plurality of partial areas of the building space 22, wherein the position of the building area 22.1 within the width dimension of the disc 28 can be selected arbitrarily and the width can be set depending on the object 3 to be produced. The build area is defined by a defining equipment within the build area 22.

Furthermore, the assembly 27 comprises a metering container 12.1 for supplying powder and having a smaller size than the metering container 12.

Furthermore, an overflow receptacle 13.1 is provided in the tray 28, which overflow receptacle is of smaller dimensions than the overflow receptacle 13. In an alternative embodiment, a wider overflow vessel may be provided.

Referring again to fig. 4, the application device 5 is in a position after the powder is transported from the metering container 12.1 into the build area 22.1 and after the excess powder is deposited into the overflow container 13.1.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a plan view of an assembly 27 of an alternative first embodiment of a laser sintering device for modifying equipment for building a space. Here, the tray 28 comprises several modified separate building areas 22.1, 22.2. The building areas 22.1, 22.2 are separated from each other by a region 40 of the disc 28 located between openings 41.1, 41.2 in the bottom of the disc 28, which openings are part of the defining equipment. In an alternative embodiment, more than two build areas 22.1, 22.2 may be provided by further dividing the build space 22. In this embodiment, the build areas are of different sizes in width. However, they may also be the same. Basically, the width of several building areas can be set arbitrarily within the total width.

Furthermore, the assembly 22 here comprises two metering containers 12.1, 12.2 for supplying powder. In an alternative embodiment, additional metering containers may be provided depending on the number of build areas 22.1, 22.2. The width of each metering container corresponds to the width of the associated build area. However, in alternative embodiments, these widths may also be different.

The building areas 22.1 and 22.2 are spatially separated from each other in the width direction of the disc 28 by a gap between the two building areas. The discs are large enough to prevent mixing of the powders which are transported from the respective metering containers 12.1, 12.2 to the respective building areas 22.1, 22.2.

Referring again to fig. 5, the application device 5 is shown in a position after the transfer of powder from the metering container 12.1, 12.2 to the build area 22.1, 22.2 and after the deposit of excess powder into the overflow container 13.1, 13.2. The application device 5 supplies the respective powders to the different building areas 22.1, 22.2 substantially in one movement.

Referring now to fig. 6, a side view of a cross-section of the assembly 27 of fig. 4 and 5 is shown. The tray 28 is shown in such a way that it is introduced from the top into the original metering container region 30 and the original built container region 29 and receives the original intermediate wall 31 in a transverse slot.

The overflow containers 13.1, 13.2 depicted here are integrated with the tray. However, the overflow receptacle may also be incorporated into the tray 28 as a separate receptacle.

The assembly 27 comprises (as further components of the defining equipment) one or more reduced building platforms 32 as supports in the openings 41.1, 41.2, wherein the supports are arranged in the building area 22.1 shown in fig. 4 and in the building areas 22.1 and 22.2 shown in fig. 5 and their bearing area is a partial area of the building platform that fits the horizontal dimension of the respective building area. The reduced building platforms 32 are fixed to the building platform 2 (which moves up and down during the manufacturing process by means of a connecting arrangement, here a connecting plate 33) and, if necessary, are connected to each other, so that the interconnected reduced building platforms 32 can all move simultaneously. Thus, the build platform 2 and the reduced support 32 also move up and down simultaneously.

In the metering container or in the metering containers (of which only one metering container 12 is shown in the sectional view) a metering container stamp 34 for conveying the powder upwards is provided in each case. These metering container stamps 34 are connected to one another, if necessary, by a connecting plate 35, so that they can be moved simultaneously. The connection plate is in turn fixed to the original metering platform 36.

The manufacturing process is performed in a similar way to the previously described manufacturing process, wherein the control unit 11 of the device is formed with equipment for modifying the building space according to the first embodiment, such that a process software can adjust different operating parameters in the separate building areas 22.1 and 22.2, thereby enabling processing of different powders and producing different characteristics of the object 3.

For retrofitting the laser sintering device with equipment for modifying the construction space 22, it is necessary for the reduction or division to fix the connection plate 33 with the reduced support 32 or the reduced supports 32 and the connection plate 35 with the metering container stamp 34 or the metering container stamps 34 to the construction platform 2 and the original metering platform, respectively. The tray 28 is introduced into the frame 1 (fig. 1), in the original building area 29 and in the original dosing container area 30. Subsequently, the plate 28 is rested on the upper surface of the frame 1 at its lateral borders, so that the plane 37 is positioned slightly above the building plane 4 on the bottom of the plate 28. The disc is secured in the device by suitable securing means and in alternative embodiments may be permanently secured, for example by welding.

Fig. 7 shows a plan view of a building plane 4 of an apparatus with equipment for modifying a building space according to a second embodiment. The application device is not depicted.

The metering containers in this second embodiment differ from the metering container shown in fig. 5 by two vertical metering container dividing walls 19 which extend from left to right in fig. 7 (which means in the direction of movement a) and which subdivide the metering container into three metering containers 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3, wherein the metering container dividing walls 19 are fixed on the upper side of the stamp and the piston, respectively.

In a similar manner, also the construction space 22 above the construction platform 2 (fig. 2) is subdivided by two construction space modification elements (here the construction space dividing wall 20 acts as a construction space dividing element) into three construction areas 22.1, 22.2, 22.3. Here, the building areas 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 are correspondingly set by part of the surface of the building platform 2. These measuring container partition walls 19 and the construction space partition wall 20 are correspondingly aligned with each other.

The overflow vessel in the second embodiment of the invention is also subdivided into three overflow vessels 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 by a plurality of walls 21 (these walls are also aligned with the metering vessel dividing wall 19 and the build space dividing wall 20).

Between these measuring container dividing walls 19 and the construction space dividing wall 20, a plurality of intermediate dividing walls 23 are provided which correspondingly extend in the moving direction a. Intermediate partition walls 24 are provided between the construction space partition walls 20 and the walls 21 in the overflow vessel 13. They each have the function that, in the case of different powders 16 for different building areas 22.1, 22.2 and 22.3, these powders do not mix between the building areas 22.1, 22.2 and 22.3, the metering containers 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 and the overflow containers 13.1, 13.2, 13.3. The measuring container dividing wall 19, the construction space dividing wall 20, and the intermediate dividing wall 23 each have the same width. These intermediate dividing walls 24 may have the same or a smaller width. These intermediate partition walls 20 and 24 are fixed such that they protrude from the building plane 4 to the top.

Figure 8a shows a cross-sectional view of a build chamber according to a second embodiment along the cross-sectional line shown in figure 7 at the beginning of a process of manufacturing an object.

This configuration is substantially the same as the configuration shown in fig. 3. The difference shown here is the arrangement of the building space dividing walls 20. These building space dividing walls 20 are fixed to the building platform 2. Between the individual building space partition walls 20 and between the building space partition walls 20 and the frame 1, building plates 15 are arranged on the building platform 2, respectively, the upper surfaces of which building plates are in the building plane 4 at the beginning of the object manufacture. The height of the construction panels is substantially equal to the minimum height of the construction space dividing walls 20 so that they serve as a filling body. These building plates 15 can be removed together with the formed object 3, for example, after finishing. However, these building panels are not necessarily provided.

The application device 5, which is a component of the common application unit of the different building areas 22.1, 22.2 and 22.3, comprises a recess 25 in the form of a slot or gap for each building space partition wall 20, so as to subdivide the blade 14 into several partial blades. The recesses 15 are formed such that they have small voids at their surfaces adjacent to the building space dividing walls 20, in order, on the one hand, to convey the powder as completely as possible to the building space without any losses caused by the voids, and, on the other hand, to ensure that the conveying of the powder is saved with one process despite possible production tolerances, thermal expansions and voids in the supporting element.

Fig. 8b shows the second embodiment presented in fig. 8a at the end of the manufacture of the object. Like elements are denoted by like reference symbols and will not be described again.

The height of these building space dividing walls 20 ensures that the powder 16 remains separated and does not mix with each other in the different building areas 22.1, 22.2 and 22.3 at the end of the manufacturing process of the object 3. This height corresponds at least to the maximum height attainable by the object.

Functional or tolerance gaps occurring between the building space dividing walls 20 and the walls of the building areas 22.1, 22.2 and 22.3 in the longitudinal direction of the building space dividing walls can be closed by sealing elements, for example silicone lips.

The manufacturing process is performed in a similar way to the previously described manufacturing process, wherein again the control unit 11 of the apparatus is formed with equipment for modifying the building space according to the second embodiment, so that a process software can adjust the different operating parameters in the separate building areas 22.1, 22.2 and 22.3 in order to be able to process different powders and produce different characteristics of the object 3.

Fig. 9, 10a and 10b show a third embodiment of an apparatus for modifying a construction space according to the invention, which is essentially identical to the second embodiment, but differs in the construction of the construction space dividing walls 20 and the metering container dividing wall 19. Here, the same elements are denoted by the same reference symbols and are not described again.

The build space divider walls 20 and the metering vessel divider walls 19 of the third embodiment do not have a fixed height (as in the second embodiment), but the build space divider walls 20 and the metering vessel divider walls 19 have a variable height, which is achieved by plates that are, for example, telescopingly extendible and retractable. The lower ends of the building space divider walls 20 are mounted to the building platform 2, while the upper ends of the building space divider walls 20 are mounted with the upper edges within the height of the building plate 4; the lower ends of the metering container dividing walls 19 are mounted at the stamps and pistons of the metering containers, respectively, while the upper ends of the metering container dividing walls 19 are mounted with the upper edges within the height of the building plate 4.

On the building platform 2 of the arrangement, in each building area 22.1, 22.2 and 22.3, each building plate 15 is arranged at such a height that its upper surface together with the upper surfaces of the building space partition walls 20 is located at the beginning of the building platform 2 in the building plane 4, which building plates are now in a telescope-like retracted state.

Also in this embodiment, the functional and tolerance gaps between the building space dividing walls 20 and the walls of the building areas 22.1, 22.2 and 22.3, respectively, can be closed by sealing elements (e.g. silicone lips).

In other embodiments as a further development of the third embodiment, the building space dividing walls can additionally or alternatively also be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement a as shown in fig. 9, which means perpendicular to the building dividing walls 20 as shown in fig. 9. By this alternative it is possible to define also the corresponding building area in direction a and thus reduce the corresponding building area.

In a further development of this embodiment, it is possible not only to use elongated building space partition walls, but also partition walls with a rectangular or other shaped frame (when viewed from above). The individual frame elements, which nest with one another, nest with one another telescope-like at the beginning of the manufacturing process, and they form a container which is adjustable in height and has a lower height at the beginning of the manufacturing process, wherein the height increases when this process is carried out. The upper surface of the frame is at the level of the building plane 4, while the lower end of the frame is mounted on the building platform 2. Here, the sealing member is not necessarily used.

Since in this third embodiment the building space dividing walls 20 do not protrude from the building plane 4, no recesses are necessary in the application device 5. However, the blade 14 of the application device 5 here comprises a plurality of subdividing elements 26 which protrude beyond the blade 14 in the direction of movement a (as indicated in fig. 9), as shown in fig. 10a and 10 b. These subdividing elements 26 extend along the entire height of the blade 14.

These dividing elements 26 have the function of preventing the different powders 16 from mixing with one another during the transport from the metering containers 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 to the building areas 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, since they protrude beyond the blades 14 when they are moved and thus separate the areas of different powders 16 in the direction of movement in front of the blades 14.

Similarly to in the first and second embodiment, also in the third embodiment, the control unit 11 of the apparatus is formed such that a process software can adjust the different operating parameters in the separate building areas 22.1, 22.2 and 22.3, thereby enabling different powders to be processed and different characteristics of the object 3 to be produced.

In the second and third embodiments, the building spaces are divided into three building areas 22.1, 22.2 and 22.3 by the building space dividing walls 20, the metering vessel is divided into the metering vessels 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 by the metering vessel dividing walls 19, and the overflow vessel 13 is divided into three overflow vessels 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 by the overflow vessel dividing walls. With other numbers of dividing walls it is possible, for example, when using one dividing wall, to divide the building space into two building areas, to divide the metering container into two metering containers, and to divide the overflow container into two overflow containers, respectively. By using several partition walls, such a corresponding building space and both containers can be divided into several building areas and associated containers. The width of the build area and associated vessel can be selected by selecting the distance and/or width of the partition walls from each other. In this way, the build areas with different widths can be adjusted, which means that asymmetric build spaces can be used for objects with different sizes.

By subdividing the build space into several build areas with equipment that modifies the build space, it is also possible to manufacture the object without using all of the build areas. By modifying the building space into several building areas using the apparatus, the building space can also be reduced, for example, by manufacturing the object in only one building area. In the second and third embodiments, the construction space is not only subdivided into several construction areas by selecting suitable widths of the elements for modifying the construction space, but the construction space can also be reduced to the surface of the construction areas. The remaining surface of the construction platform 2 is covered by elements for modifying the construction space. Subsequently, such application devices are adapted accordingly.

The equipment for modifying the building space may be formed as a replaceable unit for an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by solidifying a powdered building material layer by layer. In this context, the replaceable unit for the device can be formed such that it comprises an area of the building plane 3 and the metering container 12, the building platform 2 with the respective building space partition walls 20, and if necessary the intermediate partition walls 23 and overflow container 13 are arranged upon insertion. The application device 5 can be provided as a separate element of the retrofit assembly, which can have one or several recesses 25 or one or several subdividing elements 26, depending on the present case. The drive of the building platform is part of the apparatus and not part of the conversion unit. The retrofit unit may be provided in different configurations with different numbers and sizes of build areas, thereby providing the user with several smaller devices.

In a further modification, the metering container is also arranged above the application device. The metering container is then also subdivided in correspondence with the number and position of these building space dividing walls and the powdered building material is supplied to the application device from above. If necessary, a plurality of partition walls are further provided, which can prevent different powders from being mixed with each other when supplied to the application device.

The described apparatus is not limited to laser sintering machines. It is applicable to all machines for layer generation methods, such as stereolithography, which uses liquid photocurable resins instead of powder materials in three-dimensional printing, wherein such powder building materials are selectively cured at locations corresponding to the object with a binder, which is applied to the powder layer, for example as droplet particles, and/or with selective mask sintering (mask sintering), wherein a mask and an extended light source instead of a laser beam are used. As a further layer generation method, in which the device according to the invention is applicable, it is also possible to carry out the so-called FDM method (fusion molding technique) or similar.

Claims (16)

1. Equipment for modifying a construction space for manufacturing an object (3) by solidifying construction material (16) layer by layer at a position corresponding to a three-dimensional object (3) in the corresponding layer, comprising an application device (5) for applying the construction material (16) in layers, a construction platform (2) and a construction space (22) above the construction platform (2), solidification of the construction material (16) taking place in the construction space,

the equipment for modifying the construction space comprises a disc (28) with defined equipment, and

the defining equipment defines at least one construction area (22.1), which is a partial area of the construction space (22) and is within the construction space (22).

2. Equipment for modifying a construction space according to claim 1, wherein the disc (28) comprises at least one opening (41.1) and a support (32) is provided in the opening.

3. An arrangement for modifying a construction space according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the defining arrangement defines at least two separate construction areas (22.1, 22.2).

4. Equipment for modifying a construction space according to claim 3, wherein the separate supports (32) are connected to each other so that they can be moved by a single lifting organ.

5. Equipment for modifying a construction space for manufacturing an object (3) by solidifying construction material (16) layer by layer at a position corresponding to the three-dimensional object (3) in the corresponding layer, comprising an application device (5) for applying the construction material (16) in layers, a construction platform (2) and a construction space (22) above the construction platform (2), solidification of the construction material (16) taking place in the construction space,

the arrangement for modifying a construction space comprises at least one element (20) for modifying a construction space, which at least one element is fixable to a construction platform (2) on which the object (3) is constructed, and the arrangement for modifying a construction space is adapted such that the at least one element (20) for modifying a construction space defines at least one construction area (22.1), which is a partial area of the construction space (22).

6. An arrangement for modifying a construction space according to claim 5, wherein the arrangement for modifying a construction space is adapted such that the element (20) for modifying a construction space defines at least two separate construction areas (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) within the construction space (22).

7. Equipment for modifying a construction space according to any of the preceding claims, comprising for each construction area (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) an own metering vessel (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) and an own overflow vessel (13.1, 13.2, 13.3) or a common metering vessel (12) and/or a common overflow vessel (13) with partial areas adapted to the separate construction areas (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).

8. Equipment for modifying a construction space according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the application device (5) as a component of a common application unit of the individual construction areas (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).

9. Apparatus for modifying a construction space according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus for modifying a construction space is formed as a closed assembly comprising at least one of the elements (20) for modifying a construction space or a combination of: several supports (32), at least one metering container (12), at least one overflow container (13) and the tray (28).

10. Device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object with an apparatus for modifying a building space according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a common building chamber (1) in which the building areas (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are located.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus comprises one common gas circulation and gas preparation system for all building areas (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the apparatus comprises one common radiation system for all building areas (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).

13. The device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the device comprises a control unit (11) formed such that a process software can adjust operating parameters associated with the respective building areas (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).

14. Device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, with an apparatus for modifying a construction space according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the application device (5), preferably a blade (14), comprises a recess (25) for the at least one element (20) for modifying a construction space.

15. The device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the application device (5) comprises at least one subdividing element (26) in order to prevent the different building materials (16) from mixing with each other.

16. Device according to any of claims 10 to 13 and 15 with an apparatus for modifying a construction space according to any of claims 5 or 6, wherein the elements (20) for modifying a construction space are variable in height.