Abstract: The machine presents a working zone that is defined in an upper part of a build sleeve which is fixedly mounted in a chassis. Within the working zone, the object is supported by a build plate which slides inside the build sleeve when driven in vertical translation by the head of an actuating cylinder which is placed along a central axis of the sleeve. The build plate is positioned inside a transport container which is arranged removably between the sleeve and the actuating cylinder. The machine also includes a means for moving the transport container vertically into contact with the build sleeve. The container is open at its top and at its bottom so that, when the actuating cylinder is actuated, the head thereof can transfer the plate between the transport container and the build sleeve which forms a build envelope around the plate.

Abstract: The machine is of the type which uses an energy beam which acts on a powder layer in a working zone. The machine has a device for layering said powder and which includes a means for storing powder, a means for distributing powder, a feeding means that transfers powder from the storage means to the distributing means, and a metering means that controls the quantity of powder transferred from storage means to distributing means. The storage means is positioned higher than the working zone, the feeding means utilizes gravity, and in use, the feeding means and the metering means move with the distributing means. The machine has two separate working zones and two separate working trays that move independently of one another. Each of the working trays is associated with only one working zone, and the layering device is common to both working zones.

Abstract: A machine (1) for the additive manufacture of a component (2) by complete or partial selective melting of a powder comprises: a working chamber (100); a sleeve (3) having a top opening (4) opening into the working chamber (100), and having a vertical central axis (5), a support plate (6) intended to accept the component (2) in the process of being manufactured, a device (7) for actuating the translational movement of the support plate (6) inside the sleeve (3) along the vertical central axis (5) of the sleeve (3), and a component (2) extraction system (8) comprising a container (9), the extraction system (8) further comprising at least one closure plate (12) that is able to move in order to close the bottom opening (15) of the container (9), and the attachment between the support plate (6) and the actuating device (7) being of the removable type.

Abstract: A mold for a tire is disclosed herein. The mold includes first and second shells mold-able to lateral sidewalls of the tire, and a plurality of sectors that are distributed in the circumferential direction and are mold-able to the tread of said tire. The sectors are radially movable between an open position and a closed position of the mold. The mold also comprises at least one spacing interposed between each sector and each shell in order to keep said sector and the shells spaced apart in the radial direction in the closed position of the mold, such that the shells and the sectors are in contact in the radial direction only by way of the spacing. The spacing is also able to limit the heat transfer between the shells and the sectors in said closed position.

Abstract: Method for fabricating a three-dimensional object by successive consolidation, layer by layer, of selected regions of a layer of powder, consolidated regions corresponding to successive sections of the three-dimensional object, comprising in order: a—deposit layer of powder onto a support; b—fuse the layer of powder by a first laser energy source so as to obtain a fused layer corresponding to the section of the object and exhibiting a first state of its mechanical properties, c—heat at least a part of the fused layer by a second electron beam energy source to a temperature which follows a controlled variation over time so as to modify the first state of the fused layer and to obtain a consolidated layer with improved mechanical properties, d—repeat the preceding steps until several superposed consolidated layers are formed with improved properties forming the object.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing facility operating in an automated and contained manner. The facility includes a containment chamber inside which a plurality of additive manufacturing machines is installed, each machine comprising a manufacturing chamber, inside the containment chamber, a supply device and a supply circuit for supplying the various machines of the facility with an additive manufacturing powder, a conveying device for conveying additive manufacturing container/tray assemblies comprising at least one conveying chamber circulating between the various machines, and (4) a cleaning device comprising at least one cleaning chamber for cleaning, in an automated and contained manner, the additive manufacturing trays in the cleaning chamber.

Abstract: A machine is provided for the additive manufacture of a part by complete or partial selective melting of a powder, the machine including: a horizontal working plane; at least one spreading device; at least one system for dispensing powder over the working plane comprising at least one slide for receiving powder and at least one powder injector, the receiving slide being movable in translation, with respect to the working plane, and the injector being positioned above the receiving slide, so as to dispense powder over the receiving slide which is moving between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A device is provided for dry cleaning a plate used in an additive manufacturing process that involves powder. The device includes a confinement enclosure, a loader, and a dry-cleaning station. The confinement enclosure includes an entry lock through which a plate to be cleaned enters. The loader is located within the confinement enclosure and is structured to receive and transport the plate. The dry-cleaning station is located within the confinement enclosure and is structured to dry clean the plate. The dry-cleaning station includes a vibration device, which imposes vibrations on the plate, and a shock device, which causes the plate to experience shocks.

Abstract: The invention relates in particular to a machine (1) for additive manufacturing by the sintering or melting of powder (2) using an energy beam (3) acting on a powder layer (23) in a working zone (4), said machine comprising a device for producing a layer of said powder, said device comprising: means (5) for storing the powder, means (6) for distributing the powder able to travel over the working zone in order to distribute the powder in a layer (23) having a final thickness (24) adapted to additive manufacturing, feeding means (7) able to transfer the powder from the storage means (5) to the distributing means (6), dosing means (8) able to control the quantity of powder transferred from the storage means (5) to the distributing means (6), said machine being characterised in that: the storage means (5) are located above the working zone (4), the feeding means (7) utilise gravity, and the feeding means (7) and the dosing means (8) are able to move with the distributing means (6).

Abstract: An installation is provided for cleaning a plate used in an additive manufacturing process performed using a powder. The installation includes an entry lock, an exit lock, a dry cleaner, a wet cleaner, and a conveyor system. The entry lock is structured to accept into the installation a plate that is to be cleaned. The exit lock is structured to allow the plate to be extracted from the installation after cleaning. The dry cleaner is structured to clean the plate using vibrations and shocks in a first confinement enclosure. The wet cleaner is structured to clean the plate using at least one liquid in a second confinement enclosure. The conveyor system is structured to transport the plate between the dry cleaner, the wet cleaner, and the exit lock.

Abstract: A method is provided for dry cleaning a plate used in an additive manufacturing process involving a powder. According to the method, unconsolidated powder is separated from a plate and collected by imposing vibrations on the plate and causing the plate to experience shocks.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by successive layer-by-layer consolidation of selected zones of a powder stratum, the consolidated zones corresponding to successive sections of the three-dimensional object, each layer being divided into a central internal portion and an external border, said process comprising the following steps in order: a—depositing a powder layer on a holder; b—fusing the external border of said powder layer by means of a laser beam originating from a first energy source by moving the laser beam of said first energy source relative to the object along a preset path that follows the contour of said external border corresponding to the contour of the cross section of the object so as to selectively fuse said layer; and c—fusing the central internal portion of the powder layer by means of an electron beam originating from a second energy source, by moving the electron beam of said second energy source relative to the object so as to sweep it over sa

Abstract: A machine for additive manufacturing of components by sintering powder includes a framework, a working zone, at least two beam emission and control modules, and at least two actuators. Each module, which is structured to emit an energy beam and to control the energy beam, is mounted inside the framework and is provided with an emission source and an optical system for focusing the energy beam emitted from the source. Each module acts on the working zone to manufacture a same component. Each optical system is axially movable in translation with respect to the framework. The actuators are associated with the optical systems, respectively, and are arranged to adjust axial positions of the optical systems with respect to the working zone, the axial positions being adjustable independently of each other.

Abstract: A mold for a tire comprises first and second shells that are intended to mold lateral sidewalk of the tire, a plurality of sectors that are distributed in the circumferential direction and are intended to mold a tread of said tire, a first and a second support plate that each comprise a bearing face with which the associated shell is mounted axially in contact, and a plurality of first and second heating means for heating at least the first and the second shell, respectively.

Abstract: A mold for a tire comprises first and second shells that are intended to mold lateral sidewalk of the tire, a plurality of sectors that are distributed in the circumferential direction and are intended to mold a tread of said tire, a first and a second support plate that each comprise a bearing face with which the associated shell is mounted axially in contact, and a plurality of first and second heating means for heating at least the first and the second shell, respectively.

Abstract: A mold for a tire is disclosed herein. The mold includes first and second shells mold-able to lateral sidewalls of the tire, and a plurality of sectors that are distributed in the circumferential direction and are mold-able to the tread of said tire. The sectors are radially movable between an open position and a closed position of the mold. The mold also comprises at least one spacing interposed between each sector and each shell in order to keep said sector and the shells spaced apart in the radial direction in the closed position of the mold, such that the shells and the sectors are in contact in the radial direction only by way of the spacing. The spacing is also able to limit the heat transfer between the shells and the sectors in said closed position.

Abstract: Machine for the additive manufacture of a three-dimensional object by sintering or melting powder using a beam of energy acting on a layer of powder in a working zone, the said working zone being defined in the upper part of a build sleeve fixedly mounted in a chassis, in which sleeve the said object is manufactured, the said object being supported by a build plate which slides inside the said build sleeve when driven in vertical translation by the head of an actuating cylinder placed along the central axis of the said sleeve.

Abstract: acting on a powder layer in a working zone, containing a device for layering said powder, said device including: means for storing powder, means for distributing powder that travel over the working zone to distribute powder in a layer having a final thickness for additive manufacturing, feeding means that transfer powder from storage means to distributing means, metering means that control the quantity of powder transferred from storage means to distributing means, said machine being wherein: storage means are positioned higher than the working zone, feeding means utilize gravity, feeding means and the metering means move with the distributing means, the machine has two separate working zones and two separate working trays that move independently of one another, each of the working trays is associated with only one working zone, and the layering device is common to both working zones.

Abstract: Method for fabricating a three-dimensional object by successive consolidation, layer by layer, of selected regions of a layer of powder, consolidated regions corresponding to successive sections of the three-dimensional object, comprising in order: a—deposit layer of powder onto a support; b—fuse the layer of powder by a first laser energy source so as to obtain a fused layer corresponding to the section of the object and exhibiting a first state of its mechanical properties, c—heat at least a part of the fused layer by a second electron beam energy source to a temperature which follows a controlled variation over time so as to modify the first state of the fused layer and to obtain a consolidated layer with improved mechanical properties, d—repeat the preceding steps until several superposed consolidated layers are formed with improved properties forming the object.

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.