Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) printer and technique for integrating additive and non-print manufacturing operations is disclosed. In an aspect, the 3-D printer includes an energy source and a powder bed regions for selectively fusing layers of a build piece. The 3-D printer further includes a robotic arm. The 3-D printing is interrupted responsive to instructions from a controller, upon which the robotic arm may perform one or more non-printing operations using the build piece such as milling, casting, molding, pressing, and the like. Following the non-printing operations, the 3-D printing operation continues, and a resulting assembly including the build piece is produced.

Abstract: One aspect is an apparatus including an additively manufactured component including a surface with an end effector feature, the end effector feature co-additively manufactured with the additively manufactured component and configured to be gripped by a corresponding end effector on a robot. In an aspect, the end effector feature includes a recess in the surface. In another aspect, the recess includes an angled face. In an aspect, the recess has a teardrop shape. An aspect further includes an identification feature. In an aspect, the end effector feature includes a plurality of recesses in the surface. In another aspect, the end effector feature enables a 3-point kinematic self-aligning positive control lock.

Abstract: A high precision Interface Node is disclosed. The Interface Node includes an integrated structure including one or more complex or sophisticated features and functions. The Interface Node may connect with another component or a Linking Node. The Interface Node is manufactured to achieve high precision functionality while enabling volume production. Current additive manufacturing technologies allow for the printing of high precision features to be manufactured, but generally this is performed at a slower rate. Consequently, in one aspect, the size of the Interface Nodes is reduced in order to overcome at least part of the slower production volume caused by creating the high precision Interface Nodes. The components and Linking Nodes to which the Interface Node is connected may only have basic features and functions. Accordingly, this latter category of components may use a high print rate and thus high production volume.

Abstract: Techniques for joining nodes and subcomponents are presented herein. An additively manufactured first node or subcomponent has a groove. An additively manufactured second node or subcomponent has a tongue configured to extend into and mate with the groove to form a tongue-and-groove connection between the first and second node or subcomponent. In some aspects, the tongue-groove connection may extend substantially around a periphery of the node or subcomponent. In other aspects, a first subcomponent having a fluid pipe interface may be coupled via a tongue-groove connection to a second subcomponent having a fluid pipe interface, thereby enabling fluid to flow between subcomponents of the resulting integrated component.

Abstract: Commercial personal mobile vehicles (PMVs) managed by a fleet management system are sometimes equipped with a radar sensor to detect objects in an environment external to the PMVs. Specifically, the PMV may be equipped with a variety of sensors, such as a radar, a sonar sensor, a (optional) camera, an inertia measurement unit (IMU), and/or the like. The combination of a radar reflection signal and a sonar signal may provide measurements of characteristics such as a Doppler velocity and height information of a nearby object, which may be input to a machine learning classifier to determine the probability that the nearby object is a VRU. For another example, the reflection pattern from radar and ultrasonic may be used to input to a machine learning classifier to determine a type of the road surface, e.g., an asphalt road surface, a concrete sidewalk surface, a wet-grass lawn surface, and/or the like.

Abstract: An additively manufactured node is disclosed. A node is an additively manufactured (AM) structure that includes a feature, e.g., a socket, a receptacle, etc., for accepting another structure, e.g., a tube, a panel, etc. An additively manufactured node can include a surface with an opening to a feed channel through the node. A second surface of the node can include with a plurality of openings to an array of outlet channels. Each of the outlet channels can extend through the node and can connect to the feed channel. Tortuous paths can be used between channels created by the node surface and adjacent structures as well as node interior surfaces. These tortuous paths can be tuned to allow for optimal fluid flow processes.

Abstract: A buffer block apparatus for securing a node may be described. The buffer block apparatus may include a first surface having disposed thereon at least one first zero-point feature configured for a first zero-point interface with a robotic assembly apparatus; and a second surface, different from the first surface, configured to connect with a first surface of a node and form a first rigid connection between the buffer block apparatus and the node, wherein the buffer block apparatus provides at least one reference coordinate system with respect to the node.

Abstract: A node may be additively manufactured. The node may include a first surface and a second surface, and the second surface may bound a recess of the node. A structure may be inserted into the recess. A sealing member extend away from the second surface and contact the structure, such that a sealed space may be created between the node and the structure. An adhesive may be applied in the sealed space to at least partially attach the structure to the node.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for a rear triangle configuration for a micromobility transit vehicle. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a micromobility transit vehicle is provided. The micromobility transit vehicle may include a seat tube, a wishbone seat stay including a fork and post connecting the fork to the seat tube, a collar connected to the post and rotatable about an axis defined by the post, and a lock cable connected to the collar to rotate about the post. The fork may be connected to a pair of chain stays, such as via a pair of rear dropouts, to extend around a portion of a rear wheel. The rear dropouts may include a vertical dropout structure and positively lock to an electric motor, such as via complementary structures. A channel may be disposed in a rear dropout to receive a motor cable running to the electric motor.

Abstract: A docking station for micromobility transit vehicles is provided. The docking station may include a rack configured to dock a micromobility transit vehicle, a bollard for securing the micromobility transit vehicle within the rack, and a dock module configured to detect a characteristic of a lock cable securing the micromobility transit vehicle to the bollard. The dock module may include an inductive coil assembly disposed around a hole of the bollard to detect the lock cable inserted into the hole.

Abstract: Provided are electric vehicle charging systems (EV charging systems) and methods of operating such systems for charging electric vehicles (EVs). A system, which may be referred to as electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE), comprises one or more EV charging ports (e.g., charge handles) for connecting to EVs. The system may include various features to identify specific EVs. The system also includes a grid connector for connecting to an external power grid and, in some examples, to monitor the power grid conditions (e.g., voltage, AC frequency). The system also includes a system controller, configured to control the power output at each EV charging port based on, e.g., vehicle charging requirements and/or available grid power. The system can also include an integrated battery, serving as a backup and/or an addition to the power grid. Furthermore, in some examples, the system includes a solar connector (e.g., with an integrated inverter) for connection to an external solar array.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and method for manufacturing a structure are disclosed. The structure includes a first portion, a second portion, and a structural joint. The apparatus is configured to receive instructions for printing the structural joint. The instructions are based on a data model of the structural joint. The apparatus is also configured to receive the first portion and the second portion, the first portion having a first conical tip and the second portion having a second conical tip. The apparatus is further configured to receive material. Additionally, the apparatus is configured to print the structural joint based on the instructions. The printing may include spray forming the material to produce the structural joint. The structural joint connects the first portion to the second portion.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus including an additively manufactured node having a socket. The apparatus includes a panel interconnected with node. The panel includes opposing surface layers and a core between at least a portion of the surface layers. The socket engages an end portion of the panel and shapes the surface layers on the end portion of the panel.

Abstract: A metal extrusion and nodes based structure is provided. The structure comprises one or more arc members connected by one or more node members, wherein the arc comprises (i) a wing feature which is configured to mate with one or more non-structural components, (ii) an internal passage feature which is configured to be inserted into a connecting feature of the corresponding node member, and (iii) one or more keying features formed from a mating interface with the corresponding node member.

Abstract: Connections between nodes and tubes are provided. An apparatus can include additively manufactured first and second nodes, a tube, and an interconnect connecting the tube to the first and second nodes. An apparatus can include a node having an end portion with inner and outer concentric portions forming an annular gap therebetween, and a tube having an end portion extending into the gap.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus including an additively manufactured node having a socket. The apparatus includes a panel interconnected with node. The panel includes opposing surface layers and a core between at least a portion of the surface layers. The socket engages an end portion of the panel and shapes the surface layers on the end portion of the panel.

Abstract: A node may be additively manufactured. The node may include a first surface and a second surface, and the second surface may bound a recess of the node. A structure may be inserted into the recess. A sealing member extend away from the second surface and contact the structure, such that a sealed space may be created between the node and the structure. An adhesive may be applied in the sealed space to at least partially attach the structure to the node.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) printer and technique for integrating additive and non-print manufacturing operations is disclosed. In an aspect, the 3-D printer includes an energy source and a powder bed regions for selectively fusing layers of a build piece. The 3-D printer further includes a robotic arm. The 3-D printing is interrupted responsive to instructions from a controller, upon which the robotic arm may perform one or more non-printing operations using the build piece such as milling, casting, molding, pressing, and the like. Following the non-printing operations, the 3-D printing operation continues, and a resulting assembly including the build piece is produced.

Abstract: A multi-material three-dimensional (3-D) powder bed fusion-based (PBF) printer is disclosed. In one aspect, the 3-D PBF includes a body, a controller coupled to the body, a plurality of cartridges coupled to a print nozzle, an energy source coupled to an upper surface of the body, a deflector for deflecting an energy beam from the energy source, and a build plate on which a build piece can be 3-D printed. Each cartridge may include a slurry in which a specific print material or alloy is suspended. A depositor may selectively deposit the slurry onto the build plate to form a plurality of consecutive layers. For a given layer or a given region thereof, the controller may selectively deposit different amounts of the slurry to produce an alloy having a desired composition. A heating element may be used to vaporize the solvent in the deposited slurry. Using the deflector, the energy source can fuse the regions to sinter the deposited material and in some embodiments, to vaporize the solvent prior to sintering.

Abstract: Techniques for cleaning a print chamber using a gas exchange structure and a re-coater are introduced. The gas exchange structure is coupled to the coater, and the two move in a same direction to benefit from the gas flow. In an embodiment, the gas exchange structure includes a manifold. Further, in an embodiment, a travelling wall may be coupled to a longitudinal axis of the re-coater in order to keep separate the clean chamber from the dirty chamber. The result is that gas contaminants caused largely by the fusion and melting processes are removed from the powder bed and chamber at each cycle, and the resulting 3-D produced component maintains a very high quality for a long period of time.