Abstract: An implantable object (1000?) and a method (100) of fabricating an implantable object is disclosed. The method (100) comprises melting a powder (210) comprising at least nickel and titanium with an energy source (220) and iteratively forming a plurality of stacked metallic layers (330) from the melted powder using an additive manufacturing technique. The implantable object is biased to expand from a first configuration (501) to a second configuration (502) when at or above a transformation temperature.

Abstract: A method of minimising distortion in a workpiece is described that includes utilizing a computer system to carry out finite element analysis on a finite element thermo-mechanical model of the workpiece during and after fabrication by additive manufacturing to predict shape distortion and residual stress development in the workpiece, wherein the fabrication includes the fabrication step of depositing multiple layers of a material melted by a heat source along a deposit path on a substrate, and introducing alterations to the workpiece prior to or during fabrication to compensate for the predicted distortion.

Abstract: A method of minimising distortion in a workpiece is described that includes utilizing a computer system to carry out finite element analysis on a finite element thermo-mechanical model of the workpiece during and after fabrication by additive manufacturing to predict shape distortion and residual stress development in the workpiece, wherein the fabrication includes the fabrication step of depositing multiple layers of a material melted by a heat source along a deposit path on a substrate, and introducing alterations to the workpiece prior to or during fabrication to compensate for the predicted distortion.

Abstract: A method of minimizing distortion in a workpiece is described that includes utilizing a computer system to carry out finite element analysis on a finite element thermo-mechanical model of the workpiece during and after fabrication by additive manufacturing to predict shape distortion and residual stress development in the workpiece, wherein the fabrication includes the fabrication step of depositing multiple layers of a material melted by a heat source along a deposit path on a substrate, and introducing alterations to the workpiece prior to or during fabrication to compensate for the predicted distortion.

Abstract: A method of minimising distortion in a workpiece is described that includes utilizing a computer system to carry out finite element analysis on a finite element thermo-mechanical model of the workpiece during and after fabrication by additive manufacturing to predict shape distortion and residual stress development in the workpiece, wherein the fabrication includes the fabrication step of depositing multiple layers of a material melted by a heat source along a deposit path on a substrate, and introducing alterations to the workpiece prior to or during fabrication to compensate for the predicted distortion.

Abstract: The invention relates to blind rivets and to methods of joining therewith. The method of the invention is suitable for joining two or more workpieces with a blind rivet. The method includes the first step of positioning a blind rivet at a point of overlap of two or more workpieces, the blind rivet including a rivet body and a mandrel. The next step involves rotating the mandrel about a longitudinal axis thereof and contacting the mandrel with the overlapping workpieces, wherein the mandrel is rotated at a speed to cause plasticization of the overlapping workpieces. The method then involves causing the mandrel to penetrate through the plasticized overlapping workpieces and form an aperture therethrough. A further step of the method involves capturing a portion of the overlapping workpieces that is displaced upon the penetration of the mandrel and securing the rivet body within the aperture to join the overlapping workpieces. The invention also includes a workpiece penetrating and joining blind rivet.

Abstract: A contact tip suitable for electric arc welding has a consumable electrode. The contact tip has a body which defines a bore through which the electrode is able to pass to enable electric current from a welding power supply to be transferred from the body to the electrode. The body, in part of the length of the bore between an inlet end and an outlet end, has at least one region (herein referred to as a primary contact region) at which the body is adapted to enable primary electrical contact with the electrode, and along a remainder part of the length of the bore, the body is adapted such that any secondary contact between the body and the electrode along the remainder part does not substantially short circuit the primary electrical contact in the primary contact region of the bore.

Abstract: A contact tip suitable for electric arc welding has a consumable electrode. The contact tip has a body which defines a bore through which the electrode is able to pass to enable electric current from a welding power supply to be transferred from the body to the electrode. The body, in part of the length of the bore between an inlet end and an outlet end, has at least one region (herein referred to as a primary contact region) at which the body is adapted to enable primary electrical contact with the electrode, and along a remainder part of the length of the bore, the body is adapted such that any secondary contact between the body and the electrode along the remainder part does not substantially short circuit the primary electrical contact in the primary contact region of the bore.