Powder container with socket connector for an additive manufacturing process

A powder container for handling powder in an additive manufacturing process, the powder container comprising at least:

• a powder vessel enclosing a vessel volume for storing said powder,
• a vessel support structure supporting the powder vessel,
• a set N of n sensors configured to determine a set of n observables, wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to two, n∈{2, 3, 4, . . . , nmax},
• a set L of l actuators configured to drive at least one mechanical device of the powder container, wherein l is a positive integer number,
• characterized in that the powder container further comprises at least
• (i) transportation means attached to the vessel support structure, and
• (ii) a plug or socket connector having electric terminals, a fluid terminal, and/or a waveguide port aggregated therein and configured to be connected with a corresponding connector of a powder handling station in the additive manufacturing process at least to avoid unintended errors in operation of the powder container caused by mis-connecting or not connecting an electric terminal, a fluid terminal, and/or a waveguide port of the plug or socket connector to the powder handling station,
• and in that
• each sensor of a subset M of m sensors, of the set N of n sensors, is connected via a separate measurement line to a corresponding separate electric terminal, fluid terminal, and/or waveguide port of said plug or socket connector, wherein m is an integer number with 2≤m≤n, to avoid said unintended errors, and/or
• in that
• each actuator of at least a subset K of k actuators, of the set L of l actuators, is connected via a separate actuator control line to a corresponding separate electric terminal, fluid terminal, and/or a waveguide port of said plug or socket connector, wherein k is an integer number with 2≤k≤l,
• wherein:
• an inert-gas inlet valve and/or a pressure-reduction valve of the powder container are/is located in an inert gas line providing a fluid communication between an inert-gas terminal of said plug or socket connector of the powder container and an inert-gas inlet of the powder vessel.