Abstract: This heat exchanger includes fluid circulation channels extending lengthwise along a first axis, and layers that are flat and superposed on one another along a second axis. To improve performance, each layer is made up of metal strips so the strips a layer all extend lengthwise perpendicular to the second axis and adjacent one another, without necessarily touching. Each channel is jointly defined by first through third layers, the second being intercalated, along the second axis, directly between the first and third layers so each channel is delimited by a face of the first and third layers and edges of the second layer running parallel to the first axis and transversely to the second layer, these edges being formed by strips of this second layer fusion-welded to the first and third layers in zones extending along the length of the channel and situated on either side of the channel.

Abstract: This heat exchanger includes fluid circulation channels extending lengthwise along a first axis, and layers that are flat and superposed on one another along a second axis. To improve performance, each layer is made up of metal strips so the strips a layer all extend lengthwise perpendicular to the second axis and adjacent one another, without necessarily touching. Each channel is jointly defined by first through third layers, the second being intercalated, along the second axis, directly between the first and third layers so each channel is delimited by a face of the first and third layers and edges of the second layer running parallel to the first axis and transversely to the second layer, these edges being formed by strips of this second layer fusion-welded to the first and third layers in zones extending along the length of the channel and situated on either side of the channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method in which flat layers are produced in succession so each newly produced layer is stacked on a previously produced layer or on a flat metal support, each layer having at least one metal strip occupying the entire thickness of the corresponding layer. The production of each layer includes: deposition, during which part of the strip is pressed against the previously produced layer or the support; a fusion step carried out during the deposition step during which only a fused portion of the part is fusion-welded to the previously produced layer or to the support; and repeating the deposition and fusion steps, applying them to corresponding parts of the or each strip offset from each other along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, such that the fused portions of two of the parts following each other along the second axis overlap.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing three-dimensional objects using superimposed layers is capable, for each layer to be manufactured, of applying a laser beam treatment to a layer of a pulverulent material or liquid placed in a sintering field. The device includes a galvanometric head able to steer a laser beam toward each point of a maximum sintering zone of the sintering field when the galvanometric head is positioned at a predetermined position. The device further includes limiting elements for limiting the steering of the laser beam to an effective sintering zone situated inside the maximum sintering zone, and movement elements for moving the galvanometric head in a plane parallel to that of the sintering field, allowing the galvanometric head to be positioned at at least two different positions, an effective sintering zone being associated with each position of the galvanometric head. An associated method of manufacturing three-dimensional objects is described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method in which flat layers are produced in succession so each newly produced layer is stacked on a previously produced layer or on a flat metal support, each layer having at least one metal strip occupying the entire thickness of the corresponding layer. The production of each layer includes: deposition, during which part of the strip is pressed against the previously produced layer or the support; a fusion step carried out during the deposition step during which only a fused portion of the part is fusion-welded to the previously produced layer or to the support; and repeating the deposition and fusion steps, applying them to corresponding parts of the or each strip offset from each other along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, such that the fused portions of two of the parts following each other along the second axis overlap.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a laser beam for manufacturing three-dimensional objects by stacked layers, including, for each layer, a step for using a laser beam to solidify a zone corresponding to a two-dimensional object to be manufactured, such a two-dimensional section having a geometric contour. The method includes, for at least one the two-dimensional section, a step of acquiring (50) the geometric contour of the two-dimensional section, a step of determining (52) a reference path from the geometric contour of the section, the reference path having a shape correlated to the shape of the geometric contour, a step of determining (54) a set of paths based on the reference path, and a step of controlling (58) the laser beam to travel all of the determined paths using a travel strategy defining a travel order of the paths and a starting point for each path.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an object, includes: a) depositing a first layer of powder onto a work area constituted by a plate; b) compacting the first layer; c) solidifying a first area of the layer compacted in step b) using a laser beam, the area corresponding to a section of the bottom of the finished object; and d) repeating steps a) through c) until the object is obtained. An additional step e) before step c) includes producing, by solidifying a powder using the laser beam, a member for absorbing deformations to be arranged between the work area and an area to be part of an area corresponding to a portion of a bottom of the finished object. The absorption member produced includes a deformable substrate including a plurality of blades capable of connecting a surface of the plate to the first area constituting a surface of a bottom of the object.

Abstract: According to said method, a first passage (28) having a predefined geometry is provided in a mask (4), the mask is placed in such a way that said first passage is located facing a mounting (26), a film made of a first material (A) is deposited on the mounting through the passage, and said first thus-deposited material is treated by a laser beam so as to form a first area that is made up of the first material and belongs to a first layer of said object. Then the above operations are repeated with a second material so as to form an adjacent area made up of said second material that belongs to the same layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for forming at least one thin film made of a powder material (14). The device includes a storage area, a deposition area (7), and a cylinder (1) having a circular base for depositing and compacting the powder material (14), the latter having been previously moved from a storage area to a deposition area (7). The device further includes a cylinder (1) having a smooth cylindrical surface, said cylinder being rotatably movable (F1) about the axis of revolution (A) thereof, as well as translatably movable in at least one direction (F5) parallel to a main plane in the deposition area (7), between the storage and deposition (7) areas; a scraper (3) that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the deposition (7) area, as well as translatably movable in the same direction (F5) as the cylinder (1), between the storage and deposition (7) areas, the scraper (3) being adapted to move the powder material from one area to another (7).

Abstract: This process for manufacturing an object by solidifying a powder (P) includes steps of: a) depositing a powder layer (P) on a working zone (Z); b) compacting this layer; c) solidifying a first zone (7) of the compacted layer using a laser; d) solidifying at least one second zone (11, 12, 13) of the compact layer, this second zone (11, 12, 13) making contact with the zone (7) solidified in step c), under solidifying conditions chosen so that this second solidified zone (11, 12, 13) is less strong than the first solidified zone (7); e) repeating steps a) to d) until the object (1) is obtained; and f), after step e) and when the object (1) is finished, removing the second zones (11, 12) with respect to the first zones (7).

Abstract: Method for producing a three-dimensional object from a powder or mixture of powders by sintering and/or laser melting includes manufacturing steps of: depositing, compacting, then solidifying, in predetermined areas, successive layers of the powder or mixture of powders, and the following steps: a) before implementing the manufacturing steps, manufacturing, by sintering and/or laser melting, a support whose surface or surfaces oriented towards the three-dimensional object to be manufactured are respectively homothetic to surfaces opposite the object; b) manufacturing, by sintering and/or laser melting, blades for supporting the object on the support produced in step a); c) manufacturing the object from the upper surfaces of the blades manufactured in step b) and d) when the manufacturing of object is complete, detaching the object from the support by applying a force to the object or to the support, moving the object and the support relative to one another until the blades break.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing three-dimensional objects using superimposed layers is capable, for each layer to be manufactured, of applying a laser beam treatment to a layer of a pulverulent material or liquid placed in a sintering field. The device includes a galvanometric head able to steer a laser beam toward each point of a maximum sintering zone of the sintering field when the galvanometric head is positioned at a predetermined position. The device further includes limiting elements for limiting the steering of the laser beam to an effective sintering zone situated inside the maximum sintering zone, and movement elements for moving the galvanometric head in a plane parallel to that of the sintering field, allowing the galvanometric head to be positioned at at least two different positions, an effective sintering zone being associated with each position of the galvanometric head. An associated method of manufacturing three-dimensional objects is described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a laser beam for manufacturing three-dimensional objects by stacked layers, including, for each layer, a step for using a laser beam to solidify a zone corresponding to a two-dimensional object to be manufactured, such a two-dimensional section having a geometric contour. The method includes, for at least one the two-dimensional section, a step of acquiring (50) the geometric contour of the two-dimensional section, a step of determining (52) a reference path from the geometric contour of the section, the reference path having a shape correlated to the shape of the geometric contour, a step of determining (54) a set of paths based on the reference path, and a step of controlling (58) the laser beam to travel all of the determined paths using a travel strategy defining a travel order of the paths and a starting point for each path.

Abstract: This process for manufacturing an object by solidifying a powder (P) includes steps of: a) depositing a powder layer (P) on a working zone (Z); b) compacting this layer; c) solidifying a first zone (7) of the compacted layer using a laser; d) solidifying at least one second zone (11, 12, 13) of the compact layer, this second zone (11, 12, 13) making contact with the zone (7) solidified in step c), under solidifying conditions chosen so that this second solidified zone (11, 12, 13) is less strong than the first solidified zone (7); e) repeating steps a) to d) until the object (1) is obtained; and f), after step e) and when the object (1) is finished, removing the second zones (11, 12) with respect to the first zones (7).

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an object, includes: a) depositing a first layer of powder onto a work area constituted by a plate; b) compacting the first layer; c) solidifying a first area of the layer compacted in step b) using a laser beam, the area corresponding to a section of the bottom of the finished object; and d) repeating steps a) through c) until the object is obtained. An additional step e) before step c) includes producing, by solidifying a powder using the laser beam, a member for absorbing deformations to be arranged between the work area and an area to be part of an area corresponding to a portion of a bottom of the finished object. The absorption member produced includes a deformable substrate including a plurality of blades capable of connecting a surface of the plate to the first area constituting a surface of a bottom of the object.

Abstract: According to said method, a first passage (28) having a predefined geometry is provided in a mask (4), the mask is placed in such a way that said first passage is located facing a mounting (26), a film made of a first material (A) is deposited on the mounting through the passage, and said first thus-deposited material is treated by a laser beam so as to form a first area that is made up of the first material and belongs to a first layer of said object. Then the above operations are repeated with a second material so as to form an adjacent area made up of said second material that belongs to the same layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device serving both to lay thin layers of powder and to compact them, the device being suitable for being located inside an apparatus containing a powder or powder mixture while it is subjected to the action of a laser. The device comprises a circular cylinder (12) provided with a longitudinal groove (15) formed in an outside surface of the cylinder (12). The cylinder also has a surface (12a) adapted to compact the powder that has been deposited on a deposition zone. By moving the cylinder in rotation and translation, the powder is brought to and deposited on a tray, on which the powder is then compacted by rotating the cylinder in the opposite direction. The invention enables very thin layers of ceramic or metallic powder to be laid in accurate and uniform manner inside a sealed thermal enclosure at a temperature lying between ambient temperature and about 1200° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing metal mould cavities by means of ceramic and metal powder sintering. According to the invention, once a ceramic powder has been selected from those available on the market in accordance with the production parameters, the inventive method comprises: a first step consisting in sintering the powder using a laser such as to produce a template (7, 8) which can be used directly, without any treatment, in the second step; and a second step consisting in pouring the metal powder around the template and sintering same in a furnace. The aforementioned method can be performed very quickly and cost effectively. The invention is particularly suitable for use in the production of cavities which are intended for gravity moulding or low- or high-pressure injection moulding.