Method for managing a powder in an additive manufacturing facility comprising a plurality of machines

Abstract

An additive-manufacturing facility and a method for managing a powder transported to and from additive-manufacturing machines of the facility are provided. According to the method, a volume of feedstock powder is stored, and the machines are automatically fed with powder from the volume of feedstock powder. For each machine, the powder fed to the machine undergoes at least one layering operation during an additive-manufacturing cycle, and excess powder in the layering operation is moved away and conveyed from the machine to the volume of feedstock powder. For each machine, recovered powder, which is derived from cleaning rough components produced by the machine, is reintroduced into the volume of feedstock powder. A same collection circuit is used to convey the excess powder and the recovered powder to the volume of feedstock powder.

19 . A method for managing a powder within an additive-manufacturing facility that includes a plurality of additive-manufacturing machines, the method comprising:
 storing a volume of feedstock powder;   automatically feeding the machines with powder from the volume of feedstock powder;   in each of the machines, utilizing the powder for a layering process;   for each of the machines, moving excess powder from the layering process away from the machine, and conveying the excess powder to the volume of feedstock powder; and   for each of the machines, cleaning rough components produced by the machine to obtain recovered powder, and reintroducing the recovered powder to the volume of feedstock powder,   wherein a same collection circuit is used to convey the excess powder to the volume of feedstock powder and to reintroduce the recovered powder to the volume of feedstock powder.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein, in the conveying of the excess powder for each of the machines, the excess powder is transported pneumatically and under vacuum to the volume of feedstock powder. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein, in the conveying of the excess powder for each of the machines, the excess powder is transported in a dilute phase to the volume of feedstock powder. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein, in the feeding of the machines, the powder from the volume of feedstock powder is transported utilizing gravity or pneumatically and under vacuum from the volume of feedstock powder to each of the machines. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein, in the feeding of the machines, the powder is transported with dry air or an inert gas when transported pneumatically and under vacuum from the volume of feedstock powder to each of the machines. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the feeding of the machines includes drying the powder from the volume of feedstock powder before the powder reaches the machines. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the feeding of the machines includes sifting the powder from the volume of feedstock powder before the powder reaches the machines. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising a step of introducing fresh powder into the volume of feedstock powder. 
     
     
         27 . A facility for additive manufacturing facility, the facility comprising:
 a storage container for storing a volume of feedstock powder;   a plurality of additive manufacturing machines, each of the machines being structured to perform a layering operation using powder and to move away excess powder from the layering operation;   a feeder arranged to automatically feed the machines with powder from the volume of feedstock powder, the powder being used by the machines for the layering operations;   a collection circuit structured to collect, from each of the machines, the excess powder from the layering operations, and to transport the excess powder to the volume of feedstock; and   a cleaner arranged to clean rough components produced by the machines in order to enable recovered powder to be obtained from the rough components, the cleaner being connected to the collection circuit so that the recovered powder can be introduced into the collection circuit.   
     
     
         28 . The facility of  claim 27 , wherein the collection circuit includes:
 a single collecting duct that connects each of the machines to the volume of feedstock powder, and   a vacuum generator connected to the collecting duct to enable the excess powder to be transported pneumatically and under vacuum in the collecting duct.   
     
     
         29 . The facility of  claim 28 , wherein the vacuum generator enables the excess powder to be transported in a dilute phase in the collecting duct. 
     
     
         30 . The facility of  claim 27 ,
 wherein the feeder includes:
 a powder-preparation circuit, which produces prepared powder, and 
 a powder-distribution circuit arranged to distribute the prepared powder from the powder-preparation circuit to the machines, 
   wherein the powder-preparation circuit connects the volume of feedstock powder to the powder-distribution circuit, and   wherein the powder-distribution circuit connects the powder-preparation circuit to each of the machines.   
     
     
         31 . The facility of  claim 30 ,
 wherein a portion of the powder-preparation circuit is structured to utilize gravity to transport powder, and   wherein the powder-preparation circuit includes a preparation-vacuum generator that enables powder to be transported pneumatically and under vacuum in another portion of the powder-preparation circuit.   
     
     
         32 . The facility of  claim 31 , wherein the powder-preparation circuit includes a dryer for drying powder. 
     
     
         33 . The facility of  claim 31 , wherein the powder-preparation circuit includes a sifter for sifting powder. 
     
     
         34 . The facility of  claim 30 , wherein the powder-distribution circuit includes:
 a distribution duct connected to the powder-preparation circuit and to each of the machines, and   a distribution-vacuum generator that enables powder to be transported pneumatically and under vacuum in the distribution duct.   
     
     
         35 . The facility of  claim 34 , wherein the powder-distribution circuit is a closed circuit. 
     
     
         36 . The facility of  claim 27 , further comprising a storage device for storing a volume of fresh powder, wherein the storage device is connected to the storage container for storing the volume of feedstock powder.