Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a metallic article involve providing a non-metallic feedstock, for example in the form of an oxide of a desired metal or a mixture of oxides of the components of a desired metal alloy. A manufacturing apparatus has a reduction apparatus for electrochemically reducing the feedstock to a metallic product and a processor for converting the metallic product to a metallic powder. The powder is fed into an additive-manufacturing apparatus for fabricating the metallic article from the metallic powder. At least the reduction apparatus and the processor, and preferably also the additive-manufacturing apparatus, are collocated, or located in the same container, or in the same building, or on the same site.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a metallic article involve providing a non-metallic feedstock, for example in the form of an oxide of a desired metal or a mixture of oxides of the components of a desired metal alloy. A manufacturing apparatus has a reduction apparatus for electrochemically reducing the feedstock to a metallic product and a processor for converting the metallic product to a metallic powder. The powder is fed into an additive-manufacturing apparatus for fabricating the metallic article from the metallic powder. At least the reduction apparatus and the processor, and preferably also the additive-manufacturing apparatus, are collocated, or located in the same container, or in the same building, or on the same site.

Abstract: A method of producing metallic powder comprises steps of arranging a volume of feedstock comprising a plurality of non-metallic particles within an electrolysis cell, causing a molten salt to flow through the volume of feedstock, and applying a potential between a cathode and an anode such that the feedstock is reduced to metal. In preferred embodiments the feedstock is a plurality of discrete powder particles and these particles are reduced to a corresponding plurality of discrete metallic particles. In advantageous embodiments, the feedstock may be sand.

Abstract: A method of producing metallic powder comprises steps of arranging a volume of feedstock comprising a plurality of non-metallic particles within an electrolysis cell, causing a molten salt to flow through the volume of feedstock, and applying a potential between a cathode and an anode such that the feedstock is reduced to metal. In preferred embodiments the feedstock is a plurality of discrete powder particles and these particles are reduced to a corresponding plurality of discrete metallic particles. In advantageous embodiments, the feedstock may be sand.

Abstract: A method of producing metallic powder comprises steps of arranging a volume of feedstock comprising a plurality of non-metallic particles within an electrolysis cell, causing a molten salt to flow through the volume of feedstock, and applying a potential between a cathode and an anode such that the feedstock is reduced to metal. In preferred embodiments the feedstock is a plurality of discrete powder particles and these particles are reduced to a corresponding plurality of discrete metallic particles. In advantageous embodiments, the feedstock may be sand.