Abstract: A method for additively manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes depositing feed materials through a material feeder to a growth surface. The feed materials include at least one of a first feed material, a second feed material and a third feed material. At least one of the first feed material, the second feed material and the third feed material is different. The method also includes exposing the feed materials to electromagnetic energy to form a melt pool. The melt pool includes at least one of a molten first feed material, a molten second feed material and a molten third feed material. The method further includes solidifying the melt pool.

Abstract: An additively manufactured three-dimensional article includes layers successively built up from a metal powder by an additive manufacturing process by scanning a selected portion of the metal powder with electromagnetic radiation, and an anti-counterfeiting mark formed in at least one layer of the layers during the additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method for additively manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes depositing feed materials through a material feeder to a growth surface. The feed materials include at least one of a first feed material, a second feed material and a third feed material. At least one of the first feed material, the second feed material and the third feed material is different. The method also includes exposing the feed materials to electromagnetic energy to form a melt pool. The melt pool includes at least one of a molten first feed material, a molten second feed material and a molten third feed material. The method further includes solidifying the melt pool.

Abstract: A deposition head for additive manufacturing may include a material feeder including a first feeder to deposit a first feed material to a growth surface, and a second feeder to deposit a second feed material to the growth surface, and an electromagnetic energy source to direct electromagnetic energy to the growth surface, wherein the electromagnetic energy forms a melt pool on the growth surface, and wherein the melt pool may include at least one of a molten first feed material and a molten second feed material.

Abstract: An additively manufactured three-dimensional article includes layers successively built up from a metal powder by an additive manufacturing process by scanning a selected portion of the metal powder with electromagnetic radiation, and an anti-counterfeiting mark formed in at least one layer of the layers during the additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing and authenticating a three-dimensional article including the steps of (1) successively building up the article from a metal powder by an additive manufacturing process by scanning a selected portion of the metal powder with electromagnetic radiation, (2) forming an anti-counterfeiting mark in the article during the additive manufacturing process, and (3) determining whether the article includes the anti-counterfeiting mark.

Abstract: A Z-axis test coupon structure and method for additive manufacturing process are disclosed. An example method of fabricating Z-axis test coupons for additive manufacturing processes, includes fabricating tensile specimens, the fabricating of the tensile specimens including providing a web between adjacent ones of the tensile specimens, and the fabricating of the tensile specimens including using an additive manufacturing process, removing the web from between the adjacent ones of the tensile specimens, and testing a tensile strength of one of the tensile specimens.

Abstract: A deposition head for additive manufacturing may include a material feeder including a first feeder to deposit a first feed material to a growth surface, and a second feeder to deposit a second feed material to the growth surface, and an electromagnetic energy source to direct electromagnetic energy to the growth surface, wherein the electromagnetic energy forms a melt pool on the growth surface, and wherein the melt pool may include at least one of a molten first feed material and a molten second feed material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing and authenticating a three-dimensional article including the steps of (1) successively building up the article from a metal powder by an additive manufacturing process by scanning a selected portion of the metal powder with electromagnetic radiation, (2) forming an anti-counterfeiting mark in the article during the additive manufacturing process, and (3) determining whether the article includes the anti-counterfeiting mark.

Abstract: A Z-axis test coupon structure and method for additive manufacturing process are disclosed. An example method of fabricating Z-axis test coupons for additive manufacturing processes, includes fabricating tensile specimens, the fabricating of the tensile specimens including providing a web between adjacent ones of the tensile specimens, and the fabricating of the tensile specimens including using an additive manufacturing process, removing the web from between the adjacent ones of the tensile specimens, and testing a tensile strength of one of the tensile specimens.

Abstract: A Z-axis test coupon structure includes a plurality of circularly-arranged tensile specimens oriented along a Z-axis and at least one web connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of tensile specimens.

Abstract: The disclosure provides in one embodiment for an integral seal for a drill template tool for a structure having an outside mold line surface fabricated according to a precise definition using computer aided design (CAD). The integral seal comprises an inner surface in contact with an interior portion of a continuous groove portion formed in a bottom surface of a vacuum housing of the drill template tool. The integral seal further comprises an outer surface in contact with the structure. The integral seal is formed in the groove portion on the bottom surface of the vacuum housing, and the groove portion is formed using one of selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, or stereolithography, during fabrication of the drill template tool. The integral seal prevents leakage of fluids and debris generated by a drilling process of the structure.

Abstract: A selective laser sintering apparatus is adapted contain or receive a build frame and comprises a cap assembly which includes a removable plate assembly having at least one gas inlet formed therein. The removable plate assembly sealingly covers the build frame. The cap assembly further comprises at least one gas line fluidly connectable to the gas inlet via a gas port to deliver inert gas to the interior of the build frame. The plate assembly comprises upper and lower plates defining a spacing therebetween. A seal extends around a periphery of the upper and lower plates and is sandwiched therebetween to enclose the spacing. The lower plate has a plurality of gas inlets formed therein which are in fluid communication with the spacing such that inert gas may be delivered to the build volume while the cap assembly is installed thereupon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus may be present for manufacturing. A shell may be formed having a support structure located in a cavity in which the shell and the support structure may be formed using an additive manufacturing system from a design of a tool. The cavity of the shell may be filled with a filler material through an opening in the shell. The shell may be cured with the filler material to form the tool.

Abstract: A Z-axis test coupon structure includes a plurality of circularly-arranged tensile specimens oriented along a Z-axis and at least one web connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of tensile specimens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus may be present for manufacturing. A shell may be formed having a support structure located in a cavity in which the shell and the support structure may be formed using an additive manufacturing system from a design of a tool. The cavity of the shell may be filled with a filler material through an opening in the shell. The shell may be cured with the filler material to form the tool.

Abstract: A cable connector assembly with a wire termination guide facilitating connection of multiple cable connectors to a plug-type connector in a reduced amount of time.

Abstract: A selective laser sintering apparatus is adapted contain or receive a build frame and comprises a cap assembly which includes a removable plate assembly having at least one gas inlet formed therein. The removable plate assembly sealingly covers the build frame. The cap assembly further comprises at least one gas line fluidly connectable to the gas inlet via a gas port to deliver inert gas to the interior of the build frame. The plate assembly comprises upper and lower plates defining a spacing therebetween. A seal extends around a periphery of the upper and lower plates and is sandwiched therebetween to enclose the spacing. The lower plate has a plurality of gas inlets formed therein which are in fluid communication with the spacing such that inert gas may be delivered to the build volume while the cap assembly is installed thereupon.

Abstract: A self-contained parts kit is created by forming a container around parts formed using a direct manufacturing process. The formation of the container is part of the same process by which the parts are formed. The container can be formed with one or more openings by which the parts can be removed. The container can also be formed with perforations in one or more surfaces to allow the parts therein to be cleaned without removing the parts, such as by shaking or by the external application of a fluid such as pressurized air. Indicia can also be formed on the container.

Abstract: A cable connector assembly with a wire termination guide facilitating connection of multiple cable connectors to a plug-type connector in a reduced amount of time.