The invention relates to a device (1) for the production, in particular the production and metering, of a powder mixture for an additive manufacturing process. The powder mixture for the additive manufacturing process comprises a first powder arranged in a first container (2), and at least one further, in particular a second, powder arranged in at least one further, in particular a second, container (2′). An inlet of a first means of powder transport and/or metering (4) is arranged at the outlet (6) of the first container (2), and an inlet of a further, in particular a second, means of powder transport and/or metering (4′), is arranged at the outlet (6′) of the further, in particular the second, container (2′). The first powder can be supplied by means of the first means of transport and/or metering (4) and the further, in particular the second, powder can be supplied by means of the further, in particular the second, means of transport and/or metering (4′), in each case in a controlled manner, in particular in a controllable and/or regulatable manner, to at least one mixing container (5), preferably comprising at least one screen (10). The outlet (7) of the first means of transport and/or metering (4) and the outlet (7′) of the further, in particular the second, means of transport and/or metering (4′) are arranged in or above the mixing container (5) above each other, or next to each other, preferably above each other, or next to each other, and in each case above the screen (10).

A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing an object. The system may include a support, and a print head operatively connected to and moveable by the support. The print head may include an outlet configured to discharge a material, a leading device, and a trailing device pivotally connected to the leading device. The leading device may be configured to engage and move over the material after discharge. The trailing device may be configured to engage and move over the material at a location trailing the leading device.

The invention relates to a facility (1) for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects from material powder, through layerwise consolidation of said material powder present on a process surface (42) in such places of the particular layer (40) that correspond, in accordance with geometrical data, to the object about to be manufactured, wherein the facility (1) comprises a process floor (46) surrounding the process surface and a powder feed device (10) to feed, provide and distribute the powder on the process surface (42), wherein the powder feed device (10) comprises: a conveying element (12) for feeding powder into the powder feed device (10), a reservoir (14), into which the at least one conveying element (12) feeds the powder, a process conveying element (16), which can act on powder in the reservoir (14), in order to provide this in dosed quantity on the process floor (46) adjacent to the process surface (42), a process pusher (18) for distributing the powder provided adjacent to the process surface (42) over the process surface (42), wherein the process conveying element (16) is designed, such that the powder adjacent to the process surface (42) can be provided in the form of a line.

The invention relates to a facility (1) for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects from material powder, through layerwise consolidation of said material powder present on a process surface (42) in such places of the particular layer (40) that correspond, in accordance with geometrical data, to the object about to be manufactured, wherein the facility (1) comprises a process floor (46) surrounding the process surface and a powder feed device (10) to feed, provide and distribute the powder on the process surface (42), wherein the powder feed device (10) comprises: a conveying element (12) for feeding powder into the powder feed device (10), a reservoir (14), into which the at least one conveying element (12) feeds the powder, a process conveying element (16), which can act on powder in the reservoir (14), in order to provide this in dosed quantity on the process floor (46) adjacent to the process surface (42), a process pusher (18) for distributing the powder provided adjacent to the process surface (42) over the process surface (42), wherein the process conveying element (16) is designed, such that the powder adjacent to the process surface (42) can be provided in the form of a line.

A method for producing a three-dimensional object on a support by applying layer by layer and selectively solidifying a building material in powder form. The method includes lowering the support to a predetermined height below a working plane, applying a layer of the building material in powder form in the working plane, selectively solidifying the applied powder layer at positions corresponding to a cross-section of the object to be produced and repeating the steps of lowering, applying and selectively solidifying until the object is completed. By doing so, the quantity of applied building material in powder form is reduced in a section in an actively controlled way or substantially no building material in powder form is applied in a section in an actively controlled way.

A method for producing a three-dimensional object on a support by applying layer by layer and selectively solidifying a building material in powder form. The method includes lowering the support to a predetermined height below a working plane, applying a layer of the building material in powder form in the working plane, selectively solidifying the applied powder layer at positions corresponding to a cross-section of the object to be produced and repeating the steps of lowering, applying and selectively solidifying until the object is completed. By doing so, the quantity of applied building material in powder form is reduced in a section in an actively controlled way or substantially no building material in powder form is applied in a section in an actively controlled way.

A device for metering one or more powder(s) (A, B) to produce a flow (23) of powder(s) and of a carrier gas at a given volume flow rate, comprises: ⋅at least a first source (25) suitable for supplying a first flow (27) comprising a first powder (A) and a first carrier gas (G1) substantially at the given volume flow rate, ⋅a source (33) of a carrier gas suitable for supplying an adjustment carrier gas flow (35) substantially at the given volume flow rate, ⋅an outlet junction (49) for emitting said flow of powder(s) and of carrier gas, ⋅a first proportional valve (59), ⋅an adjustment proportional valve (75), and ⋅a control system (21) suitable for controlling at least the first proportional valve and the adjustment proportional valve so that the flow of powder(s) and of carrier gas has a volume flow rate substantially equal to the given volume flow rate.

A device for metering one or more powder(s) (A, B) to produce a flow (23) of powder(s) and of a carrier gas at a given volume flow rate, comprises: ⋅at least a first source (25) suitable for supplying a first flow (27) comprising a first powder (A) and a first carrier gas (G1) substantially at the given volume flow rate, ⋅a source (33) of a carrier gas suitable for supplying an adjustment carrier gas flow (35) substantially at the given volume flow rate, ⋅an outlet junction (49) for emitting said flow of powder(s) and of carrier gas, ⋅a first proportional valve (59), ⋅an adjustment proportional valve (75), and ⋅a control system (21) suitable for controlling at least the first proportional valve and the adjustment proportional valve so that the flow of powder(s) and of carrier gas has a volume flow rate substantially equal to the given volume flow rate.

Certain examples relate to a material management station for use in an additive manufacturing process. In these examples a metering system is applied to measure the amount of build material transported into the material management station from refillable containers. Data describing the metered amount of build material is communicated over a data communication network and remotely compared to an allowance of usage stored in an administration system. Control messages are communicated to the material management station preventing or allowing further use of the build material in line with the allowance usage.

Certain examples relate to a material management station for use in an additive manufacturing process. In these examples a metering system is applied to measure the amount of build material transported into the material management station from refillable containers. Data describing the metered amount of build material is communicated over a data communication network and remotely compared to an allowance of usage stored in an administration system. Control messages are communicated to the material management station preventing or allowing further use of the build material in line with the allowance usage.