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 (A) which comprises a first working plane area (A1) comprising a construction plane (E) and another working plane area (A2) 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 (E) 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 (E), and which comprises at least one coating element, characterised in that : a shielding device is provided to shield the second working plane area (A2) 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 (A1). a process chamber comprising a working plane (A) which comprises a first working plane area (A1) comprising a construction plane (E) and another working plane area (A2) 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 (E) 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 (E), and which comprises at least one coating element, characterised in that : a shielding device is provided to shield the second working plane area (A2) 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 (A1). a shielding device is provided to shield the second working plane area (A2) 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 (A1). <EOS>