EP4347156A1

EP4347156A1 - Methods and facility for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional metal parts

Info

Publication number: EP4347156A1
Application number: EP22733712.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maxime FAYOLLE
Original assignee: Desktop Metal Inc
Current assignee: Desktop Metal Inc
Priority date: 2021-06-03
Filing date: 2022-06-03
Publication date: 2024-04-10
Also published as: FR3123580A1; WO2022254159A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a facility for additive manufacturing of metal parts. The method comprises the following steps: providing a reservoir (22) of metal material in powder form (32); providing a platform (18); providing a horizontally movable feeding and compacting member (34) for feeding a plurality of given amounts Q of said metal material so as to form a plurality of layers (46), and for compacting each of said layers; applying a binder to the surface of each of the layers. Furthermore, said feeding and compacting member (34) is translated forwards so as to form a layer of said metal material (46), and translated backwards so as to compact said formed layer.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title of the invention: Methods and installation for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional metal parts

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional metal part additive manufacturing method and to an installation for implementing said method.

[0002] Known additive manufacturing methods consist in implementing a powdery metallic material and in preforming the parts in this powdery metallic material, by binding together the particles of the material. The particles are then hot sintered to consolidate the parts.

To do this, it implements a powder material stratification device and is superimposed on a mobile platform, a plurality of layers of particles of said material. The layers are successively deposited on each other and a binder is printed according to a predefined pattern on each of them in order to be able to locally bind the particles of the material of the layer between them and also the particles located at the interface with the layer. underlying.

[0004] In this way, over the layers, the part is drawn in three dimensions, made of particles of the metallic material bonded together. The part thus obtained, known as the “green part”, is then freed from the unbound particles which surround it, to be brought to a high temperature. The bonded metal particles then weld together and the final part is obtained.

[0005] The quality of the final part depends on the compactness of the layers of powder material. Indeed, the more the layers of powdery material are compact, the less there will be occlusion inside the final part, and the more it will be mechanically resistant.

Also, it was imagined to compact each of the layers by means of a roller. Document US 2020 038958 specifically shows a stratification device with two rollers, an upstream roller making it possible to form the layer of powdery material from a reservoir of said material, and a downstream roller making it possible to compact said layer. [0007] Such a device is relatively complex and induces downtime between each lamination step. As a result, “green parts” are produced with relatively modest productivity.

[0008] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve, is to provide a method and an additive manufacturing installation, which make it possible to improve not only the productivity of the "green parts" produced, but also their quality.

[0009] For this purpose, and according to a first object, there is proposed a method of additive manufacturing of a metal part in three dimensions comprising the following steps: a reservoir containing a powdery metal material is provided; a platform that is substantially horizontal and movable in translation in a vertical direction is provided; a driving and compacting member mounted movable in translation in a horizontal direction is provided in order to be able sequentially to drive from said reservoir to said platform a plurality of given quantities of said metallic material to form a plurality of layers of said metallic material, and to compact each of said layers of said metallic material, so as to superimpose a plurality of layers of said compacted metallic material on said platform; a binder is printed according to a predefined pattern on the surface of each of the layers of said compacted metallic material, while said platform is lowered after each printing; and, said driving and compacting member is driven, for each of the quantities of said metallic material, in a forward direction in translation so as to form a layer of said metallic material, and in a return direction in translation to compact said layer formed.

[0010] Thus, a characteristic of the invention resides in the implementation of a single drive and compaction member which, when it is driven in translation in a forward direction, drives the powdery metallic material from the reservoir towards the platform and helps to form a layer of material, and when it is driven in translation in the return direction, it compacts the layer that it enabled to form on the outward journey. In other words, the outward and return movement of the drive and compaction member alone allows the formation of the layer of material and its compaction. In this way, at each translational movement, the driving and compacting member is operational, first to form the layer, then then to compact it, without another intermediate movement. As a result, there is no dead time and the production of compacted layers is faster.

[0011] The first layer is produced directly on the platform. It is then lowered to deposit the second layer which is then compacted in turn.

[0012] After each return trip, said binder is printed on the surface of the last compacted layer, and the drive and compaction member is again driven in translation in the forward direction, then in the return direction. The platform is then lowered before the new round trip of the drive and compaction device.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said platform is raised before each drive of said drive and compaction member in the return direction. In other words, the platform is raised after the driving and compacting member has been driven in translation in the forward direction, and before it is driven in translation in the return direction. In this way, the layer of non-compacted pulverulent metallic material is substantially raised, so as to make its compaction easier when the driving and compacting member is driven in translation in the return direction.

[0014] Also, the density of the compacted layers of metallic material is increased and also their homogeneity. Consequently, their quality and their mechanical resistance are increased.

[0015] Advantageously, said platform is lowered by a first step in height before each drive of said drive and compacting member in the forward direction, and said platform is raised by a second step lower than said first step before each drive of said member. drive and compaction in the return direction. In this way, the platform is lowered after each addition of an additional layer of compacted powder material, by a total pitch equal to the thickness of the compacted layer.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said drive and compacting member is a rotary roller, and said rotary roller is driven in rotation in the same direction of rotation in the forward and return directions in translation . [0017] Thanks to the implementation of a rotary roller, the drive of the metallic material from the reservoir to the platform is easier and its distribution above the platform is uniform. And the compaction in return is homogeneous.

[0018] In addition, said roller is preferably driven in rotation so that said roller rolls each of said layers of said metallic material in said return direction. In other words, the roller is driven in rotation so that, when it is driven in translation in the forward direction, the tangential speed of the roller portion in contact with the powder material is oriented in a direction having a component positive with the drive direction forward of the roller. In this way, the powder material is distributed over the previous compacted layer in a more uniform manner into a layer of non-compacted powder material.

[0019] When the roller is driven in return and in translation in the opposite direction, but in rotation, in the same direction as in the outward direction, it rolls the layer of uncompacted powdery material. And precisely, he proceeds to its compaction.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the drive and compaction member is an elastically deformable doctor blade, made for example of a polymer material. Such a type of drive and compaction member is of interest for certain categories of metallic material and for certain grain sizes.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, but in no way limiting, said layers of said compacted metallic material are caused to vibrate. Thus, for example, the layers of powdery metallic material are caused to vibrate during each drive of the drive and compaction member in the return direction. In this way, during the compaction of the new layer of newly deposited material, the vibrations imposed on the material contribute to a reduction in the free volumes and consequently to better compaction. Also, in this way, the homogeneity of the compacted layers is improved, and therefore the quality of the green parts.

[0022] Advantageously, said vibrating platform is driven to cause said compacted layers of said metallic material to vibrate. In this way, a better transmission and a better efficiency of the vibrations are obtained in the layer of pulverulent material during compaction. [0023] According to another object, there is proposed an installation for the additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional metal part for the implementation of the manufacturing method described above. The installation thus comprises: a platform that is substantially horizontal and movable in translation in a vertical direction; a tank located in the vicinity of said platform and containing a powdery metallic material; a driving and compacting member mounted movable in translation in a horizontal direction to be able to sequentially drive a plurality of given quantities of said metallic material, from said tank to said platform, to form a plurality of layers of said metallic material, and to compact each one said layers of said metallic material, so as to superimpose a plurality of layers of said compacted metallic material on said platform; a printing device for printing a binder according to a predefined pattern on the surface of each of the layers of said compacted metallic material, while said platform is lowered after each printing. Said driving and compacting member is driven, for each of the quantities of said metallic material, in a forward direction in translation so as to form a layer of said metallic material, and in a return direction in translation to compact said layer formed.

Thus, thanks to the aforementioned installation, the method of additive manufacturing of metal parts in three dimensions according to the invention is implemented, as will be explained in more detail in the following description.

[0025] Also, said platform is raised before each drive of said drive and compaction member in the return direction. The installation is, for example, equipped with a controllable hydraulic device making it possible to drive the platform in motion and in particular its ascent.

[0026] In addition, said platform is lowered by a first step in height before each drive of said drive and compaction member in the forward direction, and it is raised by a second step lower than said first step, before each drive of said drive and compacting member in the return direction. The installation comprises, for example, command and control members, making it possible precisely to drive the platform sequentially to lower it before each forward trajectory of the drive and compacting member, and for the back up, after the forward trajectory and before the return trajectory of the driving and compacting member.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said drive and compacting member is a rotary roller, and said rotary roller is driven in rotation in the same direction of rotation in the forward and return directions in translation .

Furthermore, said roller is advantageously driven in rotation so that said roller rolls each of said layers of said metallic material in said return direction. To do this, the installation comprises a motor member adapted to be connected to the command and control members, in order to be able to control the rotation of the roller according to the speed of the translational movement of the latter.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the driving and compacting member is an elastically deformable doctor blade, made for example of a polymer material. Such a type of drive and compaction member is of interest for certain categories of metallic material and for certain grain sizes.

[0030] In addition, the installation comprises a cylindrical enclosure having an upper opening delimited by an enclosure edge, and said platform is movable in translation inside said enclosure. The platform is then adapted to be lowered below the level of the edge of the enclosure, so as to be able to accommodate the powder material in the form of an uncompacted layer, without risk of overflow. Then, the platform can be raised so that the uncompacted layer comes to extend above the level of the edge of the enclosure so that the driving and compacting member in return comes to compact it. The drive and compaction member can for example rest on the two opposite edge portions of the enclosure.

[0031] In addition, said tank preferably has a tank edge and in said enclosure and said tank are mounted substantially edge to edge. Consequently, the driving and compacting member is suitable for driving the powdery material from the reservoir towards the enclosure along a trajectory included in the same plane. Advantageously, the edge of the tank and the edge of the enclosure are interconnected by a bridge, so as to facilitate the transfer of the powder material from one to the other, and vice versa. Indeed, an advantage of the installation according to the invention, is to be able to reintroduce any excess pulverulent material after the compaction step, inside the tank. Consequently, a good management of the powdery material is thus carried out without loss or waste.

[0032] In addition, the installation comprises a vibrating device for causing the vibration of said layers of said compacted metallic material. And preferably, said vibratory device is mounted integral with said platform. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description given below of particular embodiments of the invention, given for information but not limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[Fig. 1] is a schematic view of the installation according to the invention in a first state corresponding to a first phase of implementation of the manufacturing method according to the invention;

[Fig. 2] is a schematic view of the installation as shown in [Fig. 1] in a second state corresponding to a second phase of implementation of the manufacturing method according to the invention;

[Fig. 3] is a schematic view of the installation as shown in [Fig. 1] in a third state corresponding to a third phase of implementation of the manufacturing method according to the invention;

[Fig. 4] is a schematic view of the installation as shown in [Fig. 1] in a fourth state corresponding to a fourth phase of implementation of the manufacturing method according to the invention;

[Fig. 5] is a schematic view of the installation as shown in [Fig. 1] in a fifth state corresponding to a fifth phase of implementation of the manufacturing method according to the invention;

[Fig. 6] is a schematic view of the installation as shown in [Fig. 1] in a sixth state corresponding to a sixth phase of implementation of the manufacturing method according to the invention; and,

[Fig. 7] is a flowchart of the successive implementation phases of the additive manufacturing method according to the invention.

[0034] The [Fig. 1] schematically shows an installation 10 for the additive manufacturing of metal parts. It comprises a cylindrical enclosure 12, with a rectangular base, which has an upper opening 14 delimited by an enclosure edge 16. The cylindrical enclosure, according to another alternative embodiment, has a circular base. This geometry is more suitable for parts with cylindrical symmetry.

The installation 10 comprises a platform 18 mounted movable in translation in a vertical direction V inside the cylindrical enclosure 12. It has a flat receiving surface 19. The platform 18 extends horizontally and it is adapted to be driven by hydraulic means comprising a movable piston 20 controllable.

The installation 10 also comprises a tank 22, contiguous to the cylindrical enclosure 12. The tank 22 has a tank opening 24 delimited by a tank edge 26, and the edges of tank 26 and enclosure 16 s extend in the same plane. Furthermore, the cylindrical enclosure 12 and the tank 22 are connected together edge to edge by a bridge 28.

Also, the tank 22 includes a movable bottom 30 in translation in a vertical direction.

The reservoir 22 is then loaded with a powdery metallic material 32, and the movable bottom 30 makes it possible to entrain the powdery material step by step through the reservoir opening 24. And thus, given quantities of powdery material can be raised above the level of the tank edge 26 of the opening 24.

[0039] In addition, the installation comprises a rotating roller 34, made of a solid cylinder with a circular base. It has two opposite ends, advantageously resting tangentially on two opposite transverse edge portions of the tank 22. Also, in [Fig. 1], the roller 34 bears against a free longitudinal edge portion 36 of the tank 22.

It will be observed that the rotary roller can, in certain circumstances, related to the nature of the metallic material and its particle size, be replaced by an elastically deformable doctor blade, made for example of a polymer material.

The roller 34 is, as shown in [Fig. 1], driven in rotation in the clockwise direction H. It will be driven in this same direction during all the stages of the manufacturing method according to the invention.

In addition, roller 34 is movable in translation in a direction parallel to the plane defined by the edges of tank 26 and enclosure 16. Also, the direction of movement of roller 34 is substantially included in a horizontal plane.

We will describe other elements of the installation 10 with regard to [Fig. 5] [0044] Now, the sequence of steps of the method according to the invention will be described with reference to [Fig. 1] to [Fig. 6] and in support of the flowchart illustrated in [Fig. 7]

[0045] Thus, as illustrated in [Fig. 1], the platform 18 is adjusted inside the enclosure 12, so that its receiving surface 19 is adjusted to a predefined distance from the edge of the enclosure 16. This predefined distance determines a volume V delimited by the enclosure 12, platform 18 and enclosure edge plan 16.

[0046] In addition, the roller 34 is located in line with the first free longitudinal edge portion 36, and according to a first step 38, of the flowchart of [Fig. 7], the bottom 30 of the reservoir 22 is driven vertically towards the reservoir opening 24 to bring a quantity Q of powder material above the level of the edge of the reservoir 26. This quantity Q is determined according to the aforementioned volume V. Advantageously, the quantity Q is evaluated to have a volume substantially lower than the aforementioned volume V.

Then, the roller 34 is driven in translation in a forward direction, in a direction T towards the cylindrical enclosure 12 in accordance with a second step 40 of the method according to the invention.

Therefore, the roller 34 being rotated in the clockwise direction Fl, the tangential speed Vtg of its parts in contact with the quantity Q of powdery material is oriented in a direction having a positive component with the direction T of translation of the roller 34. Consequently, the quantity of powdery material is more easily driven by roller 34.

[0049] Reference will be made to [Fig. 2], where the roller 34 continuing its course, according to the second step 40, has driven the quantity of powder material Q outside the tank, on the bridge 28 and partially in the cylindrical enclosure 12, on the platform 18.

It will be observed that the pulverulent material 32 inside the tank 22 has a first flat surface 42 left downstream by the roller 34 and extending in the plane defined by the edge of the tank 26.

Continuing its course, the roller 34 reaches a free edge portion 44 of the enclosure 12, as illustrated in [Fig. 3] Consequently, the quantity Q of pulverulent material is distributed over the receiving surface 19 of the platform 18, and in the volume V defined by the relative position of the platform 18 and the edge of the enclosure 16.

In this way, the quantity Q of pulverulent material forms a first layer of pulverulent material 46 of a substantially homogeneous thickness el. The latter has a first layer surface 48, which extends substantially in the plane defined by the enclosure edge 16.

[0053] After the roller 34 has reached the free edge of the enclosure 44, in accordance with a third step of the method according to the invention, the platform 18 is driven vertically towards the upper opening of the enclosure 14 in order to raise it by a pitch ^1, less than the thickness el, the layer of powdery material 46. [0054] In this way, and as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the layer of powder material 46 then extends substantially projecting from the edge of the enclosure 16. More precisely, it extends from it by a height equal to the pitch o1.

In accordance with a fourth step 52, of the method according to the invention, the roller 34 is then driven in translation in a return direction in the same direction, but in the opposite direction R, towards the tank 22. Also, the roller 34 is still driven in rotation in the clockwise direction H. Hence, the layer of powdery material 46 is rolled and compacted in this way to reduce the free spaces.

Advantageously, but not necessarily, a vibrating device 53 is installed on the platform 18 so as to be able to cause the vibration of the layer of powdery material 46 when it is compacted.

[0057] The vibration device 53 can also be installed on the enclosure 12. [0058] Continuing its course, the roller 34 as shown in [Fig. 5] leaves behind a first compacted layer 54. The thickness of this first compacted layer 54, having a first compacted layer surface 55, is substantially equal to e1-p1.

Thanks to the vibrations, the free spaces in the compacted layer 54 in excess of rolling are further reduced. And therefore, the occlusions are reduced in the final part after sintering, and conversely, its mechanical resistance is increased. Furthermore, the roller 34 carries with it a surplus of powdery material 56 towards the tank 22. This surplus of powdery material 56 will be able to be recycled without loss in the tank 22. During the return of the roller 34 in the return direction R, and after the first compacted layer 54 has been produced, one proceeds according to a fifth parallel step 58, with the printing of a binder according to a predefined pattern 59.

To do this, the installation comprises an injection head 60 connected to a binder tank 62 and adapted to be driven in movement along a plane parallel to the plane defined by the edge of the enclosure 16, and consequently, parallel to the plane defined by the first compacted layer surface 55. The injection head 60 is adapted to be driven in translation along two perpendicular components in order to be able to inject the binder according to the predefined pattern.

The binder then diffuses through the first compacted layer 54 and then binds together the particles of powdery material over the entire thickness of the layer and according to the predefined pattern 59.

Also, advantageously, during the fourth step 52, and before the roller 34 reaches in return the free longitudinal edge 36 of the tank 22, one proceeds, according to a sixth step 64, to the lowering of the bottom 30 of the tank 22 so as to be able to accommodate the excess powder material 56 on the reserve powder material 32.

When the roller 34, at the end of its race, comes in a seventh step 66, in line with the free longitudinal edge 36 of the reservoir 22, it has completed a first cycle. Before starting a new cycle, one proceeds according to an eighth step 68, to the adjustment of the platform 18 inside the enclosure 12, so that the first surface of compacted layer 55 is adjusted to the predefined distance from the edge of enclosure 16 in order to be able to define the aforementioned volume V.

Thus, and according to the first step 38, the bottom 30 of the tank 22 is driven vertically towards the tank opening 24 to carry a new quantity Q of powder material above the level of the tank edge 26.

[0068] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the roller 34 is then driven in translation in the forward direction, in the direction T towards the cylindrical enclosure 12 in accordance with the second step 40 of the method according to the invention.

[0069] As illustrated in [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 3], the roller 34 continuing its course, according to the second step 40, has driven the quantity of pulverulent material Q outside the tank, on the bridge 28 and in the cylindrical enclosure 12, on the platform 18. Then, it has reaches the free edge portion 44 of the enclosure 12. Consequently, the quantity Q of pulverulent material has spread over the first surface of compacted layer 55 in the volume V defined by the relative position of the platform 18 and the edge of the enclosure 16.

In this way, the quantity Q of pulverulent material forms a second layer of pulverulent material, not shown, of a substantially homogeneous thickness e2. The latter has a second layer surface which extends in the plane defined by the enclosure edge 16.

When the roller 34 has reached the free edge of the enclosure 44, according to the third step of the method according to the invention, the platform 18 is driven vertically towards the upper opening of the enclosure 14 in order to raise it with a pitch Q2, equal to o1 and less than the thickness e2 of the layer of powdery material.

In this way, the layer of powder material extends projecting from the edge of the enclosure 16 by a height equal to the pitch o2.

According to the fourth step 52, of the method according to the invention, the roller 34 is then driven in translation in the return direction according to the direction R, towards the tank 22. Also, the roller 34 is always driven in rotation according to the clockwise direction H and the rolling of the layer of powdery material is carried out and in this way it is compacted and the free spaces reduced.

Advantageously, the layer of powdery material is also caused to vibrate when it is compacted.

[0075] Thus, the roller 34 as shown in [Fig. 5] leaves behind a second compacted layer. The thickness of this second compacted layer, presenting a second compacted layer surface, is substantially equal to e2-o2.

During the return of the roller 34 in the return direction R, and after the second compacted layer has been produced, one proceeds according to the fifth parallel step 58, to printing the binder according to the predefined pattern 59.

The binder then diffuses not only through the second compacted layer 54 to bind together the particles of powdery material over the entire thickness of the layer, but also at the interface between the two compacted layers to be able to bind between they the particles of the pulverulent material at the interface.

The steps of the aforementioned method are thus repeated as many times as necessary in order to be able to bind together particles of powdery layer material. per layer and inter-layer according to a predefined pattern and thus lead to a green part 70 as represented in [FIG. 6]

The green part 70 thus produced is homogeneous in that the particles of the bonded powder material are uniformly distributed in the body of the part. In addition, thanks to the strong compaction of the layers of powdery material, the part has very little free space.

[0080] Consequently, after the green part 70 has been extracted from the particles of the free powdery material which surround it, it is taken to a furnace to carry out the sintering. Thanks to the process according to the invention, the part then obtained has very few occlusions. And its mechanical resistance will then be increased.

Claims

CLAIM

[Claim 1] Method of additive manufacturing of a metal part in three dimensions comprising the following steps:

- a reservoir (22) containing a powdery metallic material (32) is provided;

- providing a platform (18) substantially horizontal and movable in translation in a vertical direction;

- a driving and compacting member (34) mounted movable in translation in a horizontal direction is provided in order to be able sequentially to drive from said reservoir (22) to said platform (18), a plurality of given quantities Q of said metallic material to form a plurality of layers (46) of said metallic material, and for compacting each of said layers of said metallic material, so as to superimpose a plurality of layers of said compacted metallic material (54) on said platform (18);

- a binder is printed according to a predefined pattern (59) on the surface (55) of each of the layers of said compacted metallic material, while said platform (18) is lowered after each printing; characterized in that said driving and compacting member (34) is driven, for each of the quantities Q of said metallic material, in a forward direction in translation so as to form a layer of said metallic material (46), and in a return direction in translation to compact said formed layer.

[Claim 2] Manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that said platform (18) is raised before each drive of said drive and compacting member (34) in the return direction.

[Claim 3] Manufacturing method according to claim 2, characterized in that said platform (18) is lowered by a first step in height before each driving of said driving and compacting member (34) in the forward direction, and in that said platform (18) is raised by a second pitch less than said first pitch before each driving of said driving and compacting member (34) in the return direction.

[Claim 4] Manufacturing method according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the said driving and compacting member (34) is a rotary roller, and in that the said rotary roller (34) is driven in rotation in the same direction of rotation in the forward and return directions in translation.

[Claim 5] Manufacturing method according to claim 4, characterized in that the roller (34) is driven in rotation so that, when it is driven in translation in the forward direction, the tangential speed of the portion roller (34) in contact with the pulverulent material is oriented in a direction having a positive component with the forward drive direction of the roller (34).

[Claim 6] Method of manufacture according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said roller (34) is rotated so that said roller rolls each of said layers (46) of said metallic material in said return direction.

[Claim 7] Method of manufacture according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said layers of said compacted metallic material (54) are caused to vibrate.

[Claim 8] Manufacturing method according to claim 7, characterized in that said platform (18) is driven in vibration to cause the vibration of said layers of said compacted metallic material (54).

[Claim 9] Installation for additive manufacturing of metal parts in three dimensions comprising:

- a platform (18) substantially horizontal and movable in translation in a vertical direction;

- a tank (22) located in the vicinity of said platform (18) and containing a powdery metallic material (32);

- a driving and compacting member (34) mounted movable in translation in a horizontal direction to be able to sequentially drive a plurality of given quantities Q of said metallic material, from said tank (22) to said platform (18), to form a plurality of layers (46) of said metallic material, and for compacting each of said layers of said metallic material, so as to superimpose a plurality of layers of said compacted metallic material (54) on said platform;

- a printing device (60) for printing a binder according to a predefined pattern (59) on the surface (55) of each of the layers of said compacted metallic material (54), while said platform (18) is lowered after each printing ; characterized in that said driving and compacting member (34) is driven, for each of the quantities Q of said metallic material, in a forward direction in translation so as to form a layer of said metallic material, and in a return direction in translation to compact said formed layer (46).

[Claim 10] Manufacturing installation according to claim 9, characterized in that said platform (18) is raised before each drive of said drive and compacting member (34) in the return direction.

[Claim 11] Manufacturing installation according to claim 10, characterized in that said platform (18) is lowered by a first height step before each drive of said drive and compaction member (34) in the forward direction, and in that it is raised by a second pitch lower than said first pitch before each drive of said drive and compacting member (34) in the return direction.

[Claim 12] Manufacturing installation according to claim 11, characterized in that said driving and compacting member (34) is a rotary roller, and in that said rotary roller (34) is driven in rotation in a same direction of rotation in the forward and reverse directions in translation.

[Claim 13] A manufacturing plant according to claim 12, characterized in that said roller (34) is rotated such that said roller rolls each of said layers (46) of said metallic material in said return direction. [Claim 14] Manufacturing installation according to any one of Claims 8 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a cylindrical enclosure (12) having an upper opening

(14) delimited by an enclosure edge (16), and in that said platform (18) is movable in translation inside said enclosure (12).

[Claim 15] Manufacturing installation according to claim 14, characterized in that said tank (22) has a tank edge (26) and in that said enclosure (12) and said tank (22) are mounted substantially edge to edge . [Claim 16] Manufacturing installation according to any one of Claims 9 to 15, characterized in that it comprises a vibratory device (53) for causing the vibration of said layers of said compacted metallic material (54). [Claim 17] Manufacturing installation according to claim 16, characterized in that said vibratory device (53) is mounted integral with said platform (18).