Abstract: An article comprising additively manufactured metal portions is described. The article comprises a first additively manufactured metal portion, and a second additively manufactured metal portion coupled to the first additively manufactured metal portion at a welded joint. The article further comprises a resistive heating material disposed within an interior of the welded joint, the resistive heating material comprising a different material than the first additively manufactured metal portion and the second additively manufactured metal portion.

Abstract: An article comprising additively manufactured metal portions is described. The article comprises a first additively manufactured metal portion, and a second additively manufactured metal portion coupled to the first additively manufactured metal portion at a welded joint. The article further comprises a resistive heating material disposed within an interior of the welded joint, the resistive heating material comprising a different material than the first additively manufactured metal portion and the second additively manufactured metal portion.

Abstract: An article comprising additively manufactured metal portions is described. The article comprises a first additively manufactured metal portion, and a second additively manufactured metal portion coupled to the first additively manufactured metal portion at a welded joint. The article further comprises a resistive heating material disposed within an interior of the welded joint, the resistive heating material comprising a different material than the first additively manufactured metal portion and the second additively manufactured metal portion.

Abstract: Methods of improving a surface finish of a casting pattern for an investment casting process, methods of forming an investment casting, and smoothed casting patterns. The methods for forming the casting patterns having an improved surface finish include sealing the casting pattern with a first coating material to form a sealed casting pattern and smoothing the sealed casting pattern with a second coating material to form a smoothed casting pattern. The methods for forming the investment casting include covering a smoothed casting pattern with a mold material to define an enclosed mold volume, curing the mold material to form a cured mold material, flowing the smoothed casting pattern from the enclosed mold volume to define a void space, filling the void space with a liquid investment casting material, and solidifying the liquid casting material to define an investment casting.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying gaps. A grid of points is generated on a first surface. The grid of points is associated with a point for a first part associated with a second part in a model. A line segment is formed from the first surface of the first part to a second surface of the second part for each point in the grid of points to form a plurality of line segments. A gap size is identified between the first surface and the second surface using the plurality of line segments to form a plurality of gap measurements.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying gaps. A grid of points is generated on a first surface. The grid of points is associated with a point for a first part associated with a second part in a model. A line segment is formed from the first surface of the first part to a second surface of the second part for each point in the grid of points to form a plurality of line segments. A gap size is identified between the first surface and the second surface using the plurality of line segments to form a plurality of gap measurements.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of methods for checking the location or potential location of one or holes in structure relative to edges, fillets, and thickness changes. The area in the vicinity of the hole may be checked in order to determine whether the location or potential location of the hole meets a pre-determined threshold. If the location or potential location of the hole does not meet the pre-determined threshold, the hole may be flagged as being a potential problem. In such manner, the suitability of the hole for insertion of a fastener device may be determined. In other embodiments, apparatus are disclosed having one or more fastener devices extending through one or more holes in a structure. The location of the one or more holes may have been approved for insertion of the one or more fastener devices utilizing a pre-determined threshold standard.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of methods for checking the location or potential location of one or holes in structure relative to edges, fillets, and thickness changes. The area in the vicinity of the hole may be checked in order to determine whether the location or potential location of the hole meets a pre-determined threshold. If the location or potential location of the hole does not meet the pre-determined threshold, the hole may be flagged as being a potential problem. In such manner, the suitability of the hole for insertion of a fastener device may be determined. In other embodiments, apparatus are disclosed having one or more fastener devices extending through one or more holes in a structure. The location of the one or more holes may have been approved for insertion of the one or more fastener devices utilizing a pre-determined threshold standard.