Abstract: Additive manufacturing processes, systems and three-dimensional articles include the formation of voxels and/or portions of three-dimensional articles with different properties relative to other voxels and/or portions. The processes generally include changing one or more laser beam parameters including power level, exposure time, hatch spacing, point distance, velocity, and energy density during the formation of selected voxels and/or portions of the three-dimensional articles. Also disclosed are processes that include an additive manufacturing process that provides localized secondary heat treatment of certain voxels and/or regions at a temperature below the melting point of the three-dimensional article but high enough to effect a localized property change.

Abstract: A process for autonomous mechanical property testing of specimens on a build plate includes fabricating a plurality of the specimens on a build plate, wherein each of the specimens comprises an upper portion and a lower portion integral to the build plate. Each of the upper portions of the specimens on the build plate are sequentially engaged with an end effector on a terminal end of a multi-linked robotic arm, wherein the end effector is configured to engage the upper portion and apply a uni- or multi-modal load, wherein intermediate the end effector and the multi-linked robotic arm comprises a multi-axis load cell for measuring an applied load. The process further includes autonomously calculating one or more mechanical properties from the applied load.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing processes, systems and three-dimensional articles include the formation of voxels and/or portions of three-dimensional articles with different properties relative to other voxels and/or portions. The processes generally include changing one or more laser beam parameters including power level, exposure time, hatch spacing, point distance, velocity, and energy density during the formation of selected voxels and/or portions of the three-dimensional articles. Also disclosed are processes that include an additive manufacturing process that provides localized secondary heat treatment of certain voxels and/or regions at a temperature below the melting point of the three-dimensional article but high enough to effect a localized property change.

Abstract: A process for estimating tensile properties associated with a metal additive manufactured component is disclosed. The process includes building ductile metal specimen samples layer-by-layer on a build plate by additive manufacturing, wherein each of the metal specimen samples includes at least one support member and a bridging member spanning a space defined by the at last one support member, wherein the bridging member includes an upper portion that is raised relative to top planar surfaces of the at least one support member, and a lower portion integrally bridging the space defined by the at least one support member and raised relative to the build plate. The process includes sequentially shear testing each of the plurality of specimen samples on the build plate by applying a load to the upper portion of the bridging member and measuring load, displacement and/or local strain values.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing processes, systems and three-dimensional articles include the formation of voxels and/or portions of three-dimensional articles with different properties relative to other voxels and/or portions. The processes generally include changing one or more laser beam parameters including power level, exposure time, hatch spacing, point distance, velocity, and energy density during the formation of selected voxels and/or portions of the three-dimensional articles. Also disclosed are processes that include an additive manufacturing process that provides localized secondary heat treatment of certain voxels and/or regions at a temperature below the melting point of the three-dimensional article but high enough to effect a localized property change.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a temperature of a structure, comprising: one or more electrically conductive loops adapted to be affixed to the structure, each including first and second elongate connection strips each made of a first metal composition having a first melting point, and a temperature sensitive band connected between the first and second connection strips and made of a second metal composition having a second melting point less than the first melting point. The apparatus further comprises a monitor, connected to respective ends of the first and second connection strips spaced-apart from the temperature sensitive band, configured to detect an open-circuit in the one or more electrically conductive loops caused when the temperature sensitive band separates from either of the connection strips.

Abstract: Use of a handgun is achieved by having a user wear a passive unique RF tag that may be imbedded in a ring on the shooting hand of the user, a wristband, etc. The RF tag is designed to communicate with an RF system embedded in the stock of a firearm. The RF system includes a battery powered micro-controller, a watchdog timer that pings the surrounding area seeking a pre-programmed unique RF code, an RF coil, a programming port, RF interface circuitry, a latching actuator, and a latch. If the RF tag matches the RF code then the latch actuator releases the latch that engages a mechanical firing mechanism and allows the firearm to be discharged. The firearm remains active as long as the RF tag and RF code remain within range of the RF system and is returned to safe mode when the RF tag is no longer detected.