Patent ID: 7296599

Claim:
An apparatus for producing three-dimensional articles from a powder comprising: (a) a process chamber within the apparatus in which a layerwise build process is performed to produce three-dimensional objects; (b) a feed line into the apparatus for feeding powder into the process chamber; (c) a powder-processing unit connected to the feed line; and (d) a pneumatic powder transfer system connected to the powder-processing unit for transporting virgin powder to the powder-processing system; wherein the pneumatic powder transfer system comprises: i. a container for the virgin powder, said container having an inlet port located in the bottom region of the container for introducing compressed gas into the container and an outlet port located in the bottom center for removing fluidized virgin powder from the container; ii. a first compressed gas supply line to supply gas for fluidizing and transporting the virgin powder from the container through the outlet port; and iii. a line for connecting the outlet port to the powder-process unit.