FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a building block for a mechanical construction. The invention further relates to a bearing, and to an actuator.

BACKGROUND ART

Additive manufacturing or more commonly called 3D printing is a known production technique in which a three-dimensional solid object is generated from a digital model. The process of additive manufacturing starts with generating the digital model via any known digital modeling methods, such as using a CAD program. Next, the digital model is divided into slices in which each slice indicates for this layer of the digital model where the printed material should be located. The individual slices are sequentially fed into an additive manufacturing tool or 3D printer which deposits the material according to the individual slices and as such generates the complete three- dimensional solid object layer by layer.

In the early days of additive manufacturing, mainly plastic materials or resins have been used as printed material for generating the three-dimensional solid object, but other processes have been developed in which also other materials, including different types of metal may be deposited in layers using this additive manufacturing technique. A major benefit of this manufacturing technique is that it allows the designer to produce virtually any three-dimensional object in a relatively simple production method. This may be especially beneficial when, for example, an initial model is required of a product or when only a limited number of products are required. A drawback of this manufacturing technique is the speed at which the three- dimensional solid objection is produced.

The use of additive manufacturing in high-quality bearings or actuators has been limited. However the possibilities it may provide seem unlimited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a counterfeit-proof identification of building block for a mechanical construction. A first aspect of the invention provides a building block for a mechanical construction according to claim 1. A second aspect of the invention provides the bearing according to claim 13. A third aspect of the invention provides the actuator system according to claim 14. Embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

The building block in accordance with the first aspect of the invention comprises printed material being material printed via an additive manufacturing process, wherein an identification mark is embedded inside the printed material. The building block may be part of a bearing, an actuator, a gear wheel, a gear box, housings and any other mechanical constructions.

The inventors have realized that the use of printed material in building blocks for bearings of actuators provide the opportunity to include the identification mark inside the printed material. As such, the identification mark is hidden from view such that the presence and even the exact location of the identification mark is unknown outside the own organization. If the building block is copied, the hidden identification mark may be missed - especially when the printed material is not transparent to visible light. As a result, any counterfeit building block can be identified by the fact that the identification mark embedded inside the printed material is missing.

High quality bearings and actuators typically require high quality building blocks. For high quality bearings, the high quality building blocks are used to ensure that these high quality bearings can withstand the wear and rolling contact fatigue which may be expected from such high quality bearings. Especially, for example, in wind turbines or aviation applications, failure of a high quality bearing may result in significant impact, not only related to cost. It may be important to identify the failed building block. Using a building block having the identification mark embedded inside the printed material enables - often even after failure - to identify whether the failed building block is an original building block or a counterfeit.

Because the identification mark is embedded inside the printed material, the identification mark cannot be tempered with without physically damaging the building block to reach the identification mark. Furthermore, the presence and exact location may not even be known and may typically be missed during a copying process.

In an embodiment of the building block, the identification mark comprises an identification chip, a magnetic identification mark or an optical identification mark. The identification mark is a hidden identification mark and may comprise a 3D printed identification chip, a 3D printed magnetic identification mark, or an internally 3D printed optical identification mark or diffraction mark. A benefit when using the identification chip or magnetic identification mark embedded inside the printed material is that these identification marks may be read out from outside the building block - often even without damaging the building block. At least a part of such identification chip may also be printed using further printed material in a 3D printing process - for example, the antenna used for such identification chip may be printed of further printed material different from the printed material via 3D printing process directly into the printed material. In such an embodiment, the distance at which this identification chip or magnetic identification mark may be read out may be limited, for example, only a few centimeters. Using an optical identification mark typically requires damaging the outer surface of the building block to reach the optical identification mark such that the identification mark can be viewed. Alternatively, the optical identification mark may not be visible using visible light, but only provide a contrast with the surrounding printed material when illuminated using infrared, ultraviolet or other electromagnetic radiation. Even further alternative, the optical identification mark may comprise a material which converts non-visible light into visible light - and the identification mark is only emitting visible light when the building block at the correct location is illuminated using light of a specific non-visible wavelength.

In an embodiment of the building block, the identification mark comprises a distribution of particles or fibers in the printed material for generating a predefined signature reaction when triggered. Such a distribution of particles or fibers may be implemented into the printed material during the printing process and may, for example, be encapsulated or even mixed with the printed material before the printed material hardens at the required position in the printed layer. The embedded particles may, for example, constitute an identification mark which may require a specific optical, ultrasonic or X-ray trigger to generate a known and often unique response. Such an identification mark may, for example, be a physical unclonable function which generates a predetermined response to such a trigger or which generates a completely random signature which is assigned to the component when it is being printed to be the individual and unique identification for the building block. In such an embodiment, when someone gets access to the code, it will only be to the one code of this one specific embodiment. Alternatively, the distribution of the particles inside the printed material may comprise, for example, magnetic particles for generating, for example, a

Barkhousen noise which may be used as identifier for the magnetic identification mark. The distributed particles may also be configured to react to a specific reactance - chemically, optically or in any other way - to provide a specific response to identify the identification mark. In an embodiment of the building block, the embedded identification mark is only visible when damaging the building block. As indicated before, the need for damaging the building block to reach the embedded identification mark may be an efficient way of hiding the identification mark from anybody who is trying to produce counterfeits of the building block. Simply by the fact that the identification mark may be missed during the copying process ensures that the counterfeit can be identified by the omission of the identification mark at the expected location embedded inside the printed material.

In an embodiment of the building block, the printed material comprises a cavity comprising the identification mark. Such a cavity may be printed in the printed material during the printing and production process of the building block. Before the cavity is closed, the identification mark may be included, of example, as a separate entity. Such included identification mark may, for example, be an identification chip or any other pre-fabricated identification mark which can be included into the cavity.

Alternatively, the identification mark may be printed inside the cavity, for example, at a wall of the cavity during the printing and production process. Finding the cavity makes it relatively easy to view the identification mark. Furthermore, there are not further actions required apart from printing the identification mark during the printing process. Such identification mark printed inside a cavity may even be printed using the same material as used for the remainder of the building block, because the identification mark can be recognized inside the cavity - when the building block is damaged to uncover the cavity. Finally, the cavity may be made small, for example, so small that there is substantially no strength reduction of the printed material.

In an embodiment of the building block, the identification mark is printed using a further printed material different from the printed material for generating a three-dimensional identification mark embedded in the printed material. The further printed material may have, for example, a different color or may have a different material structure such that the identification mark is visible, for example, when damaging the building block, or, for example, when irradiating the building block at the right location using electromagnetic radiation such as X-ray or Ultraviolet radiation. In such an embodiment, the identification mark may be fully surrounded by the printed material. When the material characteristics of the further printed material are substantially similar to the material characteristics of the printed material, substantially no stress concentration may occur inside the printed material due to the inclusion of the further printed material. So in an embodiment of the building block, the further printed material comprises a different color compared to the printed material. In an alternative embodiment, the further printed material may comprise a different chemical composition compared to the printed material. In an alternative embodiment, the further printed material may comprise a different reflectivity for a specific range of electromagnetic radiation compared to the printed material. Such range of electro-magnetic radiation may, for example, include optical radiation, X-ray radiation, ultrasound radiation or any other electro-magnetic radiation. The identification mark may comprise a diffraction structure which diffracts the impinging radiation to generate a predefined diffraction distribution which may be used to identify the identification mark. In an alternative embodiment, the further printed material may comprise a different absorption of electro-magnetic radiation of a specific wavelength compared to the printed material. In an even further alternative embodiment, the further printed material comprises a different reaction to a reactant compared to the printed material.

In an embodiment of the building block, when the identification mark comprises the identification chip, the identification chip is configured and constructed to only generate an identification signal after receiving a trigger. Such trigger may, for example, be a very specific trigger and the identification chip may, for example, be configured and constructed to omit any identification signal when the correct trigger is not provided. This would prevent the identification chip to reveal its presence when just any trigger is generated. This identification chip may be included as a pre-fabricated element during the printing process, for example, inside a cavity printed inside the printed material.

In an embodiment of the building block, the trigger comprises an electro- magnetic trigger signal received by the identification chip, or comprises a magnetic trigger signal received by the identification chip, or comprises an optical trigger signal received by the identification chip. Any of these trigger signals may be used to trigger an identification response from the identification chip or from any other identification mark embedded inside the printed material. At some point, the outer surface of the building block may need to be damaged to physically reach the identification mark to apply the trigger to the identification mark to receive the identification signal for identifying the identification mark.

In an embodiment of the building block, the identification mark is unique for every building block. Especially when printing the identification mark using further printed material, a change of the identification mark for each of the building blocks printed is relatively easy. The printed part of the building blocks may, for example, be individually produced for each building block. Adapting, for example, a sequence number of the building block as identification mark hidden inside the printed material, may be relatively easy - for example, simply adapting a number in the print file which is sent to the adaptive manufacturing tool used for printing the printed material of the building block. This enables to have a unique identification mark for each of the building blocks. In case of, for example, failure of a building block, the production flow of such building block may be analyzed to find a cause for the failure and allow correction actions to be taken to prevent such failure in any subsequently produced building blocks. As such, the unique identification mark may be used in a quality improvement program.

In an embodiment of the building block, the printed material or the further printed material may, for example, be chosen from a list comprising metals, ceramics, polymers, elastomer and their combination in composite materials. Metals may, for example, include steel, stainless steel, maraging steel, tool steel, low alloy steel, copper alloys, nickel alloys, cobalt alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, titanium, titanium alloys.

In an embodiment of the building block, the building block is an inner ring of the bearing, or outer ring of the bearing, or a rolling element of the bearing, or a cage of the bearing, or a seal of the bearing.

The bearing in accordance with the second aspect of the invention comprises the building block according to any of the embodiments.

The actuator system in accordance with the third aspect of the invention comprises the building block according to any of the embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 A shows a cross-sectional view of an inner ring for a bearing according to the invention, Fig. 1 B shows a plan view of a rolling element for a bearing according to the invention, Fig. 1 C shows a plan view of a cage for a bearing according to the invention,

Fig. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of a bearing comprising printed material and an identification mark according to the invention, Fig. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of a further bearing comprising printed material and the identification mark according to the invention,

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of a actuator comprising printed material comprising the identification mark according to the invention,

Fig. 4A shows a first embodiment of an additive manufacturing tool in which a liquid resin is used for applying the printed material in the additive manufacturing process,

Fig. 4B shows a second embodiment of the additive manufacturing tool in which a liquid resin is dispensed from a dispenser for applying the printed material in the additive manufacturing process,

Fig. 5A shows a third embodiment of the additive manufacturing tool in which the material is granulated into small solid particles which are used for applying the printed material in the additive manufacturing process,

Fig. 5B shows a fourth embodiment of the additive manufacturing tool in which the granulated solid material is dispensed from a dispenser for applying the printed material in the additive manufacturing process, and

Fig. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the additive manufacturing tool in which a melted plastic material is dispensed for applying the printed material in the additive manufacturing process.

It should be noted that items which have the same reference numbers in different Figures, have the same structural features and the same functions, or are the same signals. Where the function and/or structure of such an item has been explained, there is no necessity for repeated explanation thereof in the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of an inner ring 100 for a bearing 200, for example, for the bearing 200 shown in Fig. 2A. The inner ring 100 comprises a raceway ring 1 10 having a raceway surface, and comprises printed material 120 printed to the raceway ring 1 10. The use of printed material 120 provides a very flexible way of producing the outer shape of the inner ring100 for a bearing 200 in which the printed material 120 may have any shape required. Using a substantially standardized raceway ring 1 10 as a starting product, the production of a customized inner ring 100 may be relatively easy by adding the printed material 120. Using such additive material process for adding printed material to a substantially standardized raceway ring 1 10 ensures both high flexibility and high quality of the customized inner ring 100. Also shown in the inner ring of Fig. 1 A is that the printed material 120 comprises an identification mark 125 in the form of a barcode hidden inside the printed material 120. Such barcode 125 may, for example, be produced during the additive manufacturing process in which, for example, further printed material different from the printed material 120 for printing the structures of the barcode 125 and enabling a contrast of the barcode 125 compared to the surrounding printed material 120. Any change in characteristics that creates a contrast between the identification mark 125 and the surrounding printed material 120 may be sufficient to generate this identification mark 125. For example, the local applying method of applying the printed material 120 at the location of the identification mark 125 may be slightly changed such that a contrast is achieved between the identification mark 125 and the surrounding printed material 120. For example, when using metal particles to form the printed material 120, the temperature at which the metal particles are sintered or locally melted may be adapted to form a visible the barcode 125 inside the printed material 120. As indicated before, the barcode 125 generated inside the printed material 120 does not only have to be optically visibly. Any other means to receive some kind of identification signal from the barcode 125, for example, using infrared, ultraviolet, x-ray or any other means may allow to generate the identification mark 125 inside the printed material.

The identification mark 125 or barcode 125 may also be generated using a further printed material - different from the printed material 120 for generating a contrast between the barcode and the surrounding printed material 120. Alternatively, the identification mark 125 as shown in Fig. 1 A may be produced inside a cavity (not shown) in which the contrast between the barcode 125 and its surroundings is created by creating the barcode 125 as a three-dimensional feature protruding from a wall of the cavity.

Fig. 1 B shows a plan view of a rolling element 140 for a bearing 200 according to the invention. The rolling element 140 comprises printed material 150 and in this plan view of the rolling element 140 a cavity 157 is created in the outer wall of the printed material 150 in which the identification mark 155 is visible in the form of a reference number (in this case #299). As this identification mark 155 in use is covered by printed material 150, the identification mark 155 is not visible from the outside without damaging the rolling element 140.

The identification mark 155 may be printed using a further printed material, different from the printed material 150. Alternatively, the identification mark 155 may be a three-dimensional structure 155 protruding from a wall of a cavity (not shown) and printed in the printed material 150.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 B the rolling element 140 is constituted of printed material 150. However, the rolling element 140 may also only partially comprise printed material 150 (not shown), for example, the rolling element 140 may comprise an outer casing (not shown) of, for example, prefabricated hardened steel in which an inner part of the rolling element 140 comprises the printed material 150. A benefit of using the outer casing of hardened steel is that this will ensure that the rolling element 140 can withstand the long wear imposed on the rolling element 140 during use in a bearing 200.

Fig. 1 C shows a plan view of a cage 160 for a bearing 200 according to the invention. The cage 160 may also comprise printed material 170 in which, for example, an identification mark 175, for example, an identification chip 175 is embedded. This identification chip 175 may, for example, emit an identification signal, for example, in response to a trigger signal received from outside. As is shown in Fig. 1 C, the cage 140 may be constituted of printed material 170, or may only partially comprise printed material (not shown). Alternatively, the identification mark 175 may comprise embedded particles, for example, embedded magnetic particles which may generate a unique magnetic field (not shown) in the vicinity of the identification mark 175.

Fig. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of a bearing 200 comprising printed material 250, 260. The bearing 200 comprises rolling elements 205 in the shape of rollers 205 (for example, a roller as shown in Fig. 1 B) being substantially cylindrical rolling elements 205 arranged between the inner ring 280 and the outer ring 290. Both the inner ring 280 and the outer ring 290 are of a combination of a raceway ring 212, 220 and printed material 250, 260.

The outer ring 290 comprises a relatively flat raceway ring 220 together with the printed material 260 which defines the outer shape of the bearing 200. This printed material 260 may, for example, be formed to fit a specific bore (not shown) or may have a shape with which the bearing 200 may be fixed to a specific structure (not shown). Due to the combination of the raceway ring 220 and the printed material 260, the outer ring 290 may guide the rolling elements 205 smoothly without too much wear, while allowing the outer dimensions of the bearing 200 to be shaped according to the specific requirements of this specific bearing 200. Thus allowing a high quality raceway surface of the raceway ring 220 while allowing maximum flexibility regarding outer dimensions of the bearing 200. At the interface between the raceway ring 220 and the printed material 260 attachment elements (not shown in Fig. 2) may be applied. In the current embodiment, the inner ring 280 also comprises a raceway ring 212 which has a slanted or tapered surface as raceway surface to withstand axial forces applied to the bearing 200. Such a slanted or tapered surface may be generated during the mechanical processing the raceway ring 212. The raceway ring 212 may, for example, be constituted of hardened steel. Again, the combination of this raceway ring 212 together with the printed material 250 allows to use a relatively standardized raceway ring 212 while customize the inner shape and dimension of the bearing 200.

The printed material 260 of the outer ring 290 comprises a first identification mark 265 in the form of an identification number 265 (being number "#230"). Any reference number 265 may be applied and the reference number 265 may be unique for each of the outer rings 290 produced. Any previously discussed identification marks 265 may be applied without departing from the scope of the invention.

The printed material 250 of the inner ring 280 comprises a cavity 257 comprising the second identification mark 255. Also the identification mark 255 included in the printed material 250 of the inner ring 280 may comprise any of the identification marks previously discussed. And again, the identification mark 255 may be unique for each of the produced inner rings 280. In this case, both the inner ring 280 and the outer ring 290 contain their own identification marks 255, 265 such that for both the authenticity may be determined. If the production facility supports the option, the individual identification marks 255, 265 may also be used to track the production flow of the individual inner ring 280 and outer ring 290 to track any failures that may occur during the lifetime of the bearing 200.

Fig. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of a further bearing 300 comprising printed material 350, 360. The bearing 300 shown in Fig. 2B is a ball-bearing 300 comprising rolling elements 305 being spheres 305. The inner ring 380 comprises the raceway ring 310 having printed material 350 bonded to the raceway ring 310. The outer ring 390 comprises the raceway ring 320 having printed material 360 bonded to the raceway ring 320. As can be seen from Fig. 2B, the outer dimensions of the printed material 360 attached to the raceway ring 320 of the outer ring 390 may have any shape, for example, having the rectangular cross-sectional dimension as shown in Fig. 2B. In such a configuration as shown in Fig. 2B, the printed material 360 of the outer ring 390 may further comprise a bore 365, for example, for allowing screws or other attachment means to connect the outer ring 390 to a structural element (not shown). In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2B the printed material 360 of the outer ring 390 further comprises cavities 375 which may be used to reduce the overall weight of the bearing 300. Both the inner ring 380 and the outer ring 390 comprise identification marks 355, 367, 265. Any of these indicated identification marks 355, 367, 265 may have any configuration of identification marks as previously discussed and any of the

identification marks 355, 367, 265 may be a unique identification mark 355, 367, 265. Using more than one identification marks 355, 367, 265 as shown in Fig. 2B may be used to deceive copiers or may be used to be read in synchronization.

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of an actuator system 700 comprising printed material 720 comprising the identification mark 725 according to the invention. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the identification mark 725 is a reference number 725, for example, a unique reference number 725 (in the current example: #277).

Fig. 4A shows a first embodiment of an additive manufacturing tool 400 in which a liquid resin 450 is used for applying the printed material 460 in the additive manufacturing process. Such additive manufacturing tool 400 comprises resin container 430 comprising the liquid resin 450. Inside the resin container 430 a platform 470 is positioned which is configured to slowly move down into the resin container 430. The additive manufacturing tool 400 further comprises a laser 410 which emits a laser beam 412 having a wavelength for curing the liquid resin 450 at the locations on the printed material 460 where additional printed material 460 should be added. A re- coating bar 440 is drawn over the printed material 460 before a new layer of printed material 460 is to be applied to ensure that a thin layer of liquid resin 450 is on top of the printed material 460. Emitting using the laser 410 those parts of the thin layer of liquid resin 450 where the additional printed material 460 should be applied will locally cure the resin 450. In the embodiment as shown in Fig. 4A the laser beam 412 is reflected across the layer of liquid resin 450 using a scanning mirror 420. When in the current layer all parts that need to be cured, have been illuminated with the laser beam 412, the platform 470 lowers the printed material 460 further into the liquid resin 450 to allow the re-coating bar 460 to apply another layer of liquid resin 450 on top of the printed material 460 to continue the additive manufacturing process.

Fig. 4B shows a second embodiment of the additive manufacturing tool 401 in which a liquid resin 450 is dispensed from a dispenser 405 or print head 405 for applying the printed material 460 in the additive manufacturing process. The additive manufacturing tool 401 again comprises the resin container 430 comprising the liquid resin 450 which is fed via a feed 455 towards the print head 405. The print head 405 further comprises a print nozzle 415 from which droplets of liquid resin 450 are emitted towards the printed material 460. These droplets may fall under gravity from the print head 405 to the printed material 460 or may be ejected from the print nozzle 415 using some ejection mechanism (not shown) towards the printed material 460. The print head 405 further comprises a laser 410 emitting a laser beam 412 for immediately cure the droplet of liquid resin 450 when it hits the printed material 460 to fix the droplet of liquid resin 450 to the already printed material 460. The printed material 460 forming a solid object may be located on a platform 470.

Fig. 5A shows a third embodiment of the additive manufacturing tool 500 in which the material is granulated into small solid particles 550 which are used for applying the printed material 560 in the additive manufacturing process. Now, the additive manufacturing tool 500, also known as a Selective Laser Sintering tool 500, or SLS tool 500 comprises a granulate container 530 comprising the granulated small solid particles 550. The printed material 560 is located again on a platform 570 and is completely surrounded by the granulated small solid particles 550. Lowering the platform allows a granulate feed roller 540 to apply another layer of granulated solid particles 550 on the printed material 560. Subsequently locally applying the laser beam 512 using the laser 510 and the scanning mirror 520 will locally melt the granulated solid particles 550 and connects them with each other and with the printed material 560 to generate the next layer of the solid object to be created. Next, the platform 570 moves down further to allow a next layer of granulated solid particles 550 to be applied via the granulate feed roller 540 to continue the next layer in the additive manufacturing process.

Fig. 5B shows a fourth embodiment of the additive manufacturing tool 501 or SLS tool 501 in which the granulated solid material 550 is dispensed from a dispenser 505 or print head 505 for applying the printed material 560 in the additive manufacturing process. The additive manufacturing tool 501 again comprises the granulate container 530 comprising the granulated solid particles 550 which are fed via a feed 555 towards the print head 505. The print head 505 further comprises a print nozzle 515 from which granulated solid particles 550 are emitted towards the printed material 560. These solid particles 550 may fall under gravity from the print head 505 to the printed material 560 or may be ejected from the print nozzle 515 using some ejection mechanism (not shown) towards the printed material 560. The print head 505 further comprises a laser 510 emitting a laser beam 512 for immediately melting or sintering the solid particle 550 when it hits the printed material 560 to fix the solid particle 550 to the already printed material 560. The printed material 560 forming a solid object may be located on a platform 570.

Fig. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the additive manufacturing tool 600 in which a melted plastic material 650 is dispensed for applying the printed material 660 in the additive manufacturing process. The additive manufacturing tool 600 shown in Fig. 6 is also known as Fused Deposition Modeling tool 600 or FDM tool 600. Now a plastic filament 630 is fed into a dispenser 610 or melter 610 via a filament feeder 640. The dispenser 610 or melter 610 comprises an extrusion nozzle 615 for melting the plastic filament 630 to form a droplet of melted plastic material 650 which is applied to the printed material 660 where it hardens and connects to the already printed material 660. The dispenser 610 may be configured and constructed to apply the droplet of melted plastic 650 to the printed material 660 under gravity or via an ejection mechanism (not shown). The additive manufacturing tool 600 further comprises a positioning system 620 for positioning the dispenser 610 across the printed material 660.

Summarizing, the invention provides a building block 100 for a bearing or an actuator system. The building block comprising printed material 120 being material printed via an additive manufacturing process. The building block further comprises an identification mark 125 embedded inside the printed material. Due to the embedding of the identification mark inside the printed material, any counterfeit building blocks may be identified by a missing identification mark. Furthermore, due to the embedding of the identification mark, the presence and nature of the identification mark is very difficult to find, which makes the copying of the identification mark almost impossible.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Building block 100, 140, 160, Construction hole 365

205, 280, 290, Additive manufacturing tool 400, 401

305, 380, 390 Print head 405, 505

Identification mark 125, 155, 175, Print nozzle 415, 515

255, 265, 355, Laser 410, 510

365, 367, 720 Laser beam 412, 512

Barcode 125 Scanning mirror 420, 520

Characters 155, 265, 365 Resin container 430

Magnetic 175, 355 Re-coating bar 440

RFID 255, 367 Liquid resin 450

Raceway ring 1 10, 210, 220, Feed 455, 555

310, 320 Platform 470, 570, 670

Bearing 200, 300 SLS-tool 500, 501

Actuator system 700 Granulate container 530

Roller elements 140, 205, 305 Granulate feed roller 540

Printed material 120, 150, 170, Granulate material 550

250, 350, 360, FDM-tool 600

460, 560, 660 Melter 610

720 Extrusion nozzle 615

Printable material 450, 550, 650 Positioning construction 620

Cage 160 Filament 630

Inner ring 100, 280, 380 Filament feeder 640

Outer ring 290, 390 Liquid plastic 650

Cavity 157, 257, 375