Machine and process for powder-based additive manufacturing

Abstract

A machine, which is usable for additive manufacturing by sintering or melting of powder using an energy beam acting on a powder layer in a working zone, includes a device for producing a layer of the powder. The device includes a storage apparatus for storing the powder, a distributor for distributing the powder, a feeder for transferring the powder from the storage apparatus to the distributor, and a dose controller for controlling a quantity of the powder transferred from the storage apparatus to the distributor. The distributor travels over the working zone in order to distribute the powder in a layer having a final thickness adapted to the additive manufacturing. The storage apparatus is located above the working zone such that the feeder utilizes gravity. The feeder and the dose controller are movable with the distributor.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 : A machine for additive manufacturing by sintering or melting powder using an energy beam acting on a powder layer in a working zone, the machine comprising a device for producing a layer of the powder,
 wherein the device includes:
 a storage apparatus, which stores the powder, 
 a distributor, which distributes the powder in a layer having a final thickness adapted to the additive manufacturing, the distributor being movable to travel over the working zone, 
 a feeder, which transfers the powder from the storage apparatus to the distributor, and 
 a dose controller, which controls a quantity of the powder transferred from the storage apparatus to the distributor, 
   wherein the storage apparatus is located above the working zone,   wherein the feeder utilizes gravity, and   wherein the feeder and the dose controller are movable with the distributor.   
     
     
         12 : The machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the storage apparatus includes a hopper, which is movable with the feeder, the dose controller, and the distributor. 
     
     
         13 : The machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the dose controller includes a rotating dosing cylinder provided with at least one cavity, each cavity defining a dose of the powder during a dosing operation. 
     
     
         14 : The machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one cavity is or are formed of at least one groove, each groove defining the dose of the powder during the dosing operation. 
     
     
         15 : The machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the dose controller includes a sliding trapdoor. 
     
     
         16 : The machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the distributor includes a scraper. 
     
     
         17 : The machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the distributor includes a distribution cylinder. 
     
     
         18 : The machine according to  claim 17 , wherein a height of the distribution cylinder is adjustable according to an angular position of the distribution cylinder. 
     
     
         19 : The machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the distributor and the dose controller utilize a common cylinder. 
     
     
         20 : The machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the distributor and the dose controller utilize a common cylinder. 
     
     
         21 : The machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the distributor and the dose controller utilize a common cylinder. 
     
     
         22 : The machine according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein the device further includes a compacting roller, and   wherein a displacement in translation of the compacting roller is integral with a displacement of the distributor.   
     
     
         23 : A process for additive manufacturing by sintering or melting powder using an energy beam acting on a powder layer in a working zone, the process comprising steps of:
 dosing, using a dose controller, a quantity of the powder to be transferred from a storage apparatus to a feeder;   feeding, using the feeder, the quantity of the powder from the storage apparatus to a distributor by gravity; and   distributing, using the distributor, the quantity of the powder on the working zone,   wherein the storage apparatus, the feeder, and the dose controller move integrally with the distributor while the distributor travels over the working zone, and   wherein the dosing step, the feeding step, and the distributing step are repeated successively in a plurality of layering stages.