Apparatus with a module for the layered manufacture of a product

A system for layered manufacture of a three-dimensional product based on a powder, where successive powder layers are covered by an energy beam in order to melt the successive powder layers in whole or in part and subsequently to solidify or sinter the successive powder layers to create contiguous interconnected layers of the three-dimensional product, with

• an apparatus that contains a build chamber in which said product is manufactured,
• a vertically movable build platform,
• a powder dispenser for application of said successive powder layers on the build platform in a build surface the powder dispenser is configured to be moved back and forth over the build surface along a dispensing direction,
• at least an overflow tank that features an opening that lets out onto said build surface for removal of the powder from the build surface to the overflow tank,
• a reservoir intended for the powder that is used to create the successive powder layers,
• a transport unit to transport said powder upwards from the reservoir,
• scanning means to move said energy beam over the successive powder layers in the build chamber,
• wherein said apparatus works in combination with a module that is integrable into and removable from the build chamber, where the apparatus contains the transport unit and the scanning means, while said module contains the build platform, the overflow tank and the reservoir, wherein the module includes a powder chute under the reservoir, the powder chute is configured to receive the powder from the reservoir and extends along a longitudinal horizontal axis to a powder tank, the powder tank is configured to receive a lower end of the transport unit when the module is installed into the chamber, wherein the module includes a helical screw extending along the longitudinal axis of the powder chute, rotation of the helical screw transporting the powder to the powder tank.