Apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by successive, selective layer-by-layer exposure and thereby successive, selective layer-by-layer compacting of building material layers, consisting of building material compactable by means of an energy beam, comprising: a process chamber comprising a working plane which comprises a first working plane area comprising a construction plane and another working plane area in which at least a part of a coating device is arranged, a coating device provided for forming construction material layers to be selectively exposed and selectively solidified on the construction plane and comprising a coating element assembly group, which is supported by a guiding device so as to be moved, especially relative to the construction plane, and which comprises at least one coating element, characterised in that: a shielding device is provided to shield the second working plane area from the intrusion of construction material and/or impurities arising in the course of the process, wherein the shielding device comprises at least one shielding band, being guided movably along supporting points and defining an interior, wherein the coating element assembly group is coupled for movement with the shielding band and the guiding device, guiding the coating element assembly group, is arranged or formed inside the interior, wherein the shielding band extends in longitudinal direction along the first work plane area. a process chamber comprising a working plane which comprises a first working plane area comprising a construction plane and another working plane area in which at least a part of a coating device is arranged, a coating device provided for forming construction material layers to be selectively exposed and selectively solidified on the construction plane and comprising a coating element assembly group, which is supported by a guiding device so as to be moved, especially relative to the construction plane, and which comprises at least one coating element, characterised in that: a shielding device is provided to shield the second working plane area from the intrusion of construction material and/or impurities arising in the course of the process, wherein the shielding device comprises at least one shielding band, being guided movably along supporting points and defining an interior, wherein the coating element assembly group is coupled for movement with the shielding band and the guiding device, guiding the coating element assembly group, is arranged or formed inside the interior, wherein the shielding band extends in longitudinal direction along the first work plane area. a shielding device is provided to shield the second working plane area from the intrusion of construction material and/or impurities arising in the course of the process, wherein the shielding device comprises at least one shielding band, being guided movably along supporting points and defining an interior, wherein the coating element assembly group is coupled for movement with the shielding band and the guiding device, guiding the coating element assembly group, is arranged or formed inside the interior, wherein the shielding band extends in longitudinal direction along the first work plane area.