Abstract: According to some embodiments, system and methods are provided comprising receiving, via a communication interface of a distortion and correction module comprising a processor, a defined geometry for one or more parts, wherein the parts are manufactured with an additive manufacturing machine; discretizing the defined geometry into a mesh including a plurality of nodes; predicting a distortion of a position of each node of the plurality of nodes; determining whether the predicted distortion position exceeds a pre-set tolerance; determining an adjusted pre-distortion position for each node of the plurality of nodes when the predicted distortion position exceeds the pre-set tolerance; predicting a distortion of the adjusted determined pre-distortion position for each node of the plurality of nodes; determining whether the distortion of the determined adjusted pre-distortion position exceeds the pre-set tolerance; and printing the part when one of the predicted distortion position and the predicted adjusted pre-d

Abstract: A method, medium, and system to receive a specification defining a model of a part to be produced by an additive manufacturing (AM) process; execute an AM simulation on the model of the part to determine a prediction of thermal distortions to the part; execute a topology optimization (TO) to create TO supports that counteract the predicted thermal distortions; generate at least one rule-based support based on a geometry of the part to interface with the part at one or more regions other than the TO supports; combining the TO supports and the at least one rule-based support to generate a set of hybrid supports; save a record of the set of hybrid supports; and transmit the record of the set of hybrid supports to an AM controller to control an AM system to generate a support structure for an AM production of the part.

Abstract: A method, medium, and system to execute an additive manufacturing (AM) simulation on a model of a part; determine, based on the AM simulation, a prediction of a temperature and displacement distribution in the part at a particular time in the AM process; apply the predicted temperature and displacement distributions in the part as a boundary conditions on a support design space to determine a temperature distribution throughout the support design space; and execute a thermal-structural topology optimization based on the determined temperature and displacement distributions throughout the support design space to determine a distribution of material in the design space for a thermal support structure to interface with the part that optimally reduces a thermal gradient in the part with a minimum of material and results in the generation of an optimized AM support structure.

Abstract: A unit cell structure is provided. The unit cell structure includes a first section and a second section. The first section defines a first load path and includes a first plurality of first unit cells joined together. The second section defines a second load path separate from the first load path and includes a second plurality of second unit cells joined together, each second unit cell of the second plurality of second unit cells nested within and spaced apart from each first unit cell of the first plurality of first unit cells of the first section.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a shroud assembly for a gas turbine. The shroud assembly includes a casing and a shroud. The shroud includes a radially outer wall engaged with the casing. A radially inner wall integrally couples to the radially outer wall. The radially inner wall and the radially outer wall collectively define a pair of axially opposed cavities. The radially inner wall moves radially outward toward the casing when one or more gas turbine blades contact the radially inner wall.

Abstract: A powder removal system includes a plurality of tubes including upstream and downstream ends, a manifold fluidly coupled to the tubes, and a pressurized air supply fluidly coupled to the manifold supplying pressurized air to the tubes via the manifold. The downstream ends of the tubes are inserted into a plurality of channels partially filled with powder.

Abstract: Turbine center frames are provided. For example, a turbine center frame comprises an annular outer case and an annular hub. The hub is defined radially inward of the outer case such that the outer case circumferentially surrounds the hub. The turbine center frame further comprises an annular fairing extending between the outer case and the hub, a ligament extending from the fairing to the outer case to connect the fairing to the outer case, a plurality of struts extending from the hub to the outer case, and a boss structure defined on an outer surface of the outer case. The outer case, hub, fairing, ligament, plurality of struts, and boss structure are integrally formed as a single monolithic component. For instance, the turbine center frame is additively manufactured as an integral structure, and methods for manufacturing turbine center frames also are provided.

Abstract: A method includes assembling a setter assembly onto a binder-jet printed part, wherein the setter assembly includes a base, a top setter, a bottom setter positioned between the base and the top setter, and a support pin extending between the base and the top setter having a terminus that abuts an inward facing surface of the top setter, such that at least portion of the binder-jet printed part is nested between the top setter and the bottom setter. The method includes heating the binder-jet printed part and the setter assembly to debind or sinter the binder-jet printed part, wherein a length of the support pin decreases in response to the heating to move the top setter toward the base.

Abstract: A setter assembly for use in additive manufacturing a binder-jet part includes a base, a first setter component having a first setter portion and a second setter portion that may be removably coupled to the first setter portion and a plurality of protrusions disposed on and extending away from a surface of the base. The plurality of protrusions may align the base with the first setter component and enable coupling of the first setter component to the base. The setter assembly also includes a second setter component positioned between the base and the first setter component. The second setter component is disposed on the surface and the first setter component, the second setter component, and the base can be assembled onto a printed part such that at least a portion of the printed part is nested between the first setter component and the second setter component.

Abstract: A component is provided. The component includes a structure including a plurality of unit cells joined together, each unit cell of the plurality of unit cells having a mass density substantially similar to the mass density of every other unit cell of the plurality of unit cells. The plurality of unit cells includes a first portion of unit cells having a characteristic dimension and a first portion average stiffness, the characteristic dimension of the first portion of unit cells having a first value. The plurality of unit cells also includes a second portion of unit cells having the characteristic dimension and a second portion average stiffness, the characteristic dimension of the second portion of unit cells having a second value different from the first value, wherein the second portion average stiffness differs from the first portion average stiffness.

Abstract: A controller for use in an additive manufacturing system including a consolidation device configured to consolidate material is provided. The controller is configured to receive a build file for a component including a plurality of build layers, wherein each build layer includes a component outer perimeter, at least one build layer generating function, at least one generating function variable, and at least one generating function constant. The controller is configured to generate at least one control signal to control a power output throughout at least one scan path of the consolidation device across the material for each build layer of the plurality of build layers, the at least one scan path generated based at least partially on the component outer perimeter, the at least one generating function, the at least one generating function variable, and the at least one generating function constant for each build layer.

Abstract: An airfoil for use in a turbomachine includes a pressure sidewall and a suction sidewall coupled to the pressure sidewall. The suction sidewall and the pressure sidewall define a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge and the trailing edge define a chord distance. The airfoil includes a tip portion extending between the pressure sidewall and the suction sidewall. The tip portion includes a planar section and a recessed section. The recessed section extends adjacent to the planar section such that a thickness of the planar section is less than a thickness of the airfoil. The recessed section is offset a predetermined distance from the leading edge and the trailing edge along the chord distance.

Abstract: A powder removal system includes a plurality of tubes including upstream and downstream ends, a manifold fluidly coupled to the tubes, and a pressurized air supply fluidly coupled to the manifold supplying pressurized air to the tubes via the manifold. The downstream ends of the tubes are inserted into a plurality of channels partially filled with powder.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a part structure formed via a first additive manufacturing process and a floating structure within the part structure which is mechanically decoupled from the part structure. The floating structure is formed concurrently with the part structure via the first additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A binder jet printed article includes a part having a top portion, a bottom portion, and an overhang extending from the top portion and a support structure formed around the part that may block deformation of the part during post-printing thermal processing. The support structure includes a skid positioned adjacent to the bottom portion that may support the part, a first plurality of support features disposed along an outer perimeter of the skid, and a second plurality of support features disposed on the top portion of the printed part. The first and second plurality of support features form a lattice around the printed part such that the printed part is nested within the support structure.

Abstract: A setter assembly for use in additive manufacturing a binder-jet part includes a base, a first setter component having a first setter portion and a second setter portion that may be removably coupled to the first setter portion and a plurality of protrusions disposed on and extending away from a surface of the base. The plurality of protrusions may align the base with the first setter component and enable coupling of the first setter component to the base. The setter assembly also includes a second setter component positioned between the base and the first setter component. The second setter component is disposed on the surface and the first setter component, the second setter component, and the base can be assembled onto a printed part such that at least a portion of the printed part is nested between the first setter component and the second setter component.

Abstract: A component has a first structural configuration and a second structural configuration. The component includes a sensor assembly including a plurality of interconnected structural members defining a plurality of load paths. A first structural member and a second structural member define a first load path when the component is in the first structural configuration. The first structural member and a third structural member define a second load path when the component is in the second structural configuration. The second load path is configured to bypass the second structural member. The sensor assembly is configured to detect a characteristic of the component that changes when the component switches between the first structural configuration and the second structural configuration.

Abstract: Coating systems for components of a gas turbine engine, such as a compressor blade tip, are provided. The coating system can include an abradable material disposed along the compressor blade tip and may be used with a bare compressor casing. The abradable coating is softer than the compressor casing and can reduce the overall rub ratio thereby increasing the lifetime of the compressor blade and casing. Methods are also provided for applying the coating system onto a compressor blade.

Abstract: A unit cell structure is provided. The unit cell structure includes a first section and a second section. The first section defines a first load path and includes a first plurality of first unit cells joined together. The second section defines a second load path separate from the first load path and includes a second plurality of second unit cells joined together, each second unit cell of the second plurality of second unit cells nested within and spaced apart from each first unit cell of the first plurality of first unit cells of the first section.

Abstract: Coating systems for components of a gas turbine engine, such as a compressor blade tip, are provided. The coating system can include a ceramic material disposed along the compressor blade tip and may be used with a bare compressor casing. The ceramic coating is harder than the bare compressor casing and can reduce the rub ratio thereby increasing the lifetime of the compressor blades. Methods are also provided for applying the coating system onto a compressor blade.