Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin

Addup

Albin Effernelli

Frédéric Pialot

David Olsommer

Gilles Walrand

Miguel Torres-Castellano

Benoît Pourcher

Cedric Carlavan

Christian Geay

Bruno Fragniere

Alexandre Jeannot

Cédric Carlavan

A powder bed fusion additive manufacturing machine () comprises a working area () able to receive a superposition of different layers of powder, a device () for depositing a layer of powder onto the working area and a consolidation source () used to selectively consolidate each layer of powder deposited onto the working area, the device for depositing a layer of powder comprising a powder reservoir () able to be positioned above the working area, and a powder distribution opening being provided in the bottom part of the reservoir, the device for depositing a layer of powder comprising a vibrating device () able to subject the reservoir to vibrations, and the powder distribution opening of the reservoir being equipped with a sieve. The reservoir is mounted on a weighing sensor.

Additive manufacturing machine with powder dispensing by sieving

A manufacturing chamber for an additive manufacturing machine comprises in an enclosure: a working plane; a manufacturing platform for the deposition of the layers of additive manufacturing material and for supporting the part being manufactured; and a circuit for circulating an inert gas flow over the manufacturing platform, characterized in that the enclosure and/or the working plane comprises an inlet opening for the gas flow, in that the working plane comprises an upstream ramp, connected to the area of the working plane where the manufacturing platform is located by a surface having a rounded convex profile, and in that the surface with a rounded convex profile is configured for attaching the gas flow, by the Coanda effect, above the working plane.

Manufacturing chamber for an additive manufacturing machine

An additive manufacturing machine () comprises a working plane () comprising a working zone () allowing an overlay of different layers of powder to be received, and a powder dispensing device () comprising a powder intake () allowing powder to be delivered on top of the working plane. The powder dispensing device () comprises a tank () of powder mounted to move above the working plane () and that can be displaced to under the powder intake (), the bottom part () of the tank () comprises a powder dispensing point (P), and the powder dispensing device () comprises a control device () controlling the flow of powder via the powder dispensing point during a displacement of the tank. The tank () is mounted on a weighing sensor ().

Additive manufacturing machine with movable, controlled powder dispensing

An additive manufacturing plate () comprises a main body (), this main body () taking the form of a panel, and the main body () comprising an upper face on which the components are manufactured directly. The additive manufacturing plate comprises a stiffener () that is independent of the main body () and secured to the lower face () of the main body, this stiffener () taking the form of a panel () and the panel () being hollowed out but only through a part of its thickness (E). The stiffener () makes it possible to avoid excessive deformations of the additive manufacturing plate during the manufacturing process and is reusable.

Additive manufacturing plate equipped with a stiffener in the form of a panel hollowed out in a portion of the thickness of same

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.

Additive manufacturing facility with successive nested confinement chambers

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.

Method for the dry-cleaning of additive manufacturing plates

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.

Unit for cleaning additive manufacturing plates

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.

Growing community of inventors

Clermont-Ferrand, France

Albin Effernelli