Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a collaborative manufacturing system utilizing a plurality of mobile agents. The mobile agents operate dual robotic arms to improve single and multi-material builds' efficiency. In some embodiments, the dual robotic arms work together in the same area to create multi-functional components. In addition, the mobile agents can change tool heads on the arms to allow for hybrid manufacturing such as pick and place, additive, and subtractive manufacturing. One or more mobile agents interact with other mobile agents, thereby increasing the end product's efficiency and quality. Mobile agents utilize swarm manufacturing techniques to improve the manufactured product's time efficiency further and use machine learning to adjust and re-assign mobile agents constantly.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for auto-calibration of direct-ink writing (DIW) material flow. The system includes an imaging system comprising at least one camera and at least one illumination source, a rapid sample exchange system with a syringe compartment in fluidic communication with a nozzle of a printing apparatus, and a data analysis and inference engine communicatively coupled to the imaging system and the rapid sample exchange system. The imaging system captures thermal and optical images of extruded ink polymers in real time, and the inference engine processes the images to determine material flow characteristics including flow rate, deposition pattern, and adhesion. A control processor automatically adjusts extrusion parameters based on the processed data. The method includes capturing images of extruded polymers, comparing real-time data to historical datasets, adjusting extrusion parameters, and retraining a machine learning model to improve calibration of subsequent ink polymers.

Abstract: A device and related methods for determining adhesion dynamics of the rapid deposition of a filament is disclosed herein. The device includes a stage having a top surface. An aperture residing within the top surface of the stage is disposed within a first plane. A thermally transparent film is stretched across the aperture and secured under tension. The thermally transparent film resides within a second plane that is parallel to the first plane and is configured to facilitate the transmission of infrared waves through the transparent film. A thermal camera is disposed in underlying relation to the thermally transparent film and is configured to collect a thermal signature of the filament being extruded by a nozzle. A digital microscope is disposed in an orthogonal relationship with the print path. The digital microscope is configured to capture video data during the extrusion of the filament being deposited on the stage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a collaborative manufacturing system utilizing a plurality of mobile agents. The mobile agents operate dual robotic arms to improve single and multi-material builds' efficiency. In some embodiments, the dual robotic arms work together in the same area to create multi-functional components. In addition, the mobile agents can change tool heads on the arms to allow for hybrid manufacturing such as pick and place, additive, and subtractive manufacturing. One or more mobile agents interact with other mobile agents, thereby increasing the end product's efficiency and quality. Mobile agents utilize swarm manufacturing techniques to improve the manufactured product's time efficiency further and use machine learning to adjust and re-assign mobile agents constantly.