Abstract: A method of making a workpiece in an additive manufacturing process includes determining a preferred angular orientation of the grid array about a build axis extending perpendicular to a layer to be built for a first layer of a workpiece. The preferred angular orientation is selected to align an edge of one or more pixels with an edge of the layer of the workpiece being built. The method further includes orienting a patterned image of radiant energy to the preferred angular orientation by rotating a projector before solidifying a portion of a resin that forms the first layer of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of making a workpiece in an additive manufacturing process includes determining a preferred angular orientation of the grid array about a build axis extending perpendicular to a layer to be built for a first layer of a workpiece. The preferred angular orientation is selected to align an edge of one or more pixels with an edge of the layer of the workpiece being built. The method further includes orienting a patterned image of radiant energy to the preferred angular orientation by rotating a projector before solidifying a portion of a resin that forms the first layer of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and an optical measurement apparatus for a re-coater blade alignment are disclosed. The method includes adjusting an optical measurement apparatus over a surface of a material to align the optical measurement apparatus with a reference plane of the material. Further, the method includes positioning a re-coater assembly, the optical measurement apparatus, and the material such that the re-coater assembly is between the optical measurement apparatus and the material, and so a re-coater blade of the re-coater assembly is positioned proximate to the material. The method further includes adjusting the re-coater assembly via a plurality of second aligning elements to align the re-coater blade in parallel with the optical measurement apparatus.

Abstract: A method of making a workpiece in an additive manufacturing process includes determining a preferred angular orientation of the grid array about a build axis extending perpendicular to a layer to be built for a first layer of a workpiece. The preferred angular orientation is selected to align an edge of one or more pixels with an edge of the layer of the workpiece being built. The method further includes orienting a patterned image of radiant energy to the preferred angular orientation by rotating a projector before solidifying a portion of a resin that forms the first layer of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a workpiece in an additive manufacturing process in which a starting material is solidified in a layer by layer fashion, with each layer of the workpiece being solidified using a patterned image of radiant energy configured as a two-dimensional grid array of pixels. The method includes: for each layer of the workpiece, determining a preferred angular orientation of the grid array, relative to the layer; and orienting the patterned image to the preferred angular orientation before solidifying the starting material for that layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatuses for additive manufacturing (AM) that utilize a pulsed laser to solidify a liquid photopolymer. The method includes scanning a first portion of the photopolymer with the laser at a first draw speed, wherein the first portion of the photopolymer corresponds to a first portion of the part that has a width less than a threshold width. The method also includes scanning a second portion of the photopolymer with the laser at a second draw speed that is greater than the first draw speed, wherein the second portion of the photopolymer corresponds to a second portion of the part that has a width greater than the threshold width.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a recoater rail of an additive manufacturing machine includes: a bracket including: a body having first and second ends; first and second flanges extending from the first and second ends respectively, the body and flanges cooperatively forming a C-shape; a first jack screw mounted to the first flange, the first jack screw extending parallel to the body; and a second jack screw mounted to the second flange, the second jack screw extending parallel to the body.

Abstract: A method and an optical measurement apparatus for a re-coater blade alignment are disclosed. The method includes adjusting an optical measurement apparatus over a surface of a material to align the optical measurement apparatus with a reference plane of the material. Further, the method includes positioning a re-coater assembly, the optical measurement apparatus, and the material such that the re-coater assembly is between the optical measurement apparatus and the material, and so a re-coater blade of the re-coater assembly is positioned proximate to the material. The method further includes adjusting the re-coater assembly via a plurality of second aligning elements to align the re-coater blade in parallel with the optical measurement apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatuses for additive manufacturing (AM) that utilize a pulsed laser to solidify a liquid photopolymer. The method includes scanning a first portion of the photopolymer with the laser at a first draw speed, wherein the first portion of the photopolymer corresponds to a first portion of the part that has a width less than a threshold width. The method also includes scanning a second portion of the photopolymer with the laser at a second draw speed that is greater than the first draw speed, wherein the second portion of the photopolymer corresponds to a second portion of the part that has a width greater than the threshold width.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatuses for additive manufacturing (AM) that utilize a pulsed laser to solidify a liquid photopolymer. The method includes scanning a first portion of the photopolymer with the laser at a first draw speed, wherein the first portion of the photopolymer corresponds to a first portion of the part that has a width less than a threshold width. The method also includes scanning a second portion of the photopolymer with the laser at a second draw speed that is greater than the first draw speed, wherein the second portion of the photopolymer corresponds to a second portion of the part that has a width greater than the threshold width.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatuses for additive manufacturing (AM) that utilize a pulsed laser to solidify a liquid photopolymer. The method includes scanning a first portion of the photopolymer with the laser at a first draw speed, wherein the first portion of the photopolymer corresponds to a first portion of the part that has a width less than a threshold width. The method also includes scanning a second portion of the photopolymer with the laser at a second draw speed that is greater than the first draw speed, wherein the second portion of the photopolymer corresponds to a second portion of the part that has a width greater than the threshold width.

Abstract: A method for repairing a laminated article having a damaged area comprising the steps of: removing the damaged area from the laminated article so as to leave a repair site; positioning a repair patch to cover the repair site; placing one or more heat blankets over the repair patch and other selected locations; placing the laminated article with the repair patch in a vacuum bag; placing the vacuum bag in an autoclave; operating the autoclave within a selected range of desired temperatures and pressures; and, curing the repair patch of the laminated article without disturbing or damaging the adjacent bondments within a composite structure.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a recoater rail of an additive manufacturing machine includes: a bracket including: a body having first and second ends; first and second flanges extending from the first and second ends respectively, the body and flanges cooperatively forming a C-shape; a first jack screw mounted to the first flange, the first jack screw extending parallel to the body; and a second jack screw mounted to the second flange, the second jack screw extending parallel to the body.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an additive manufacturing process in which a radiant energy source is used to selectively cure a layer of resin to form a workpiece. The method includes: curing a first portion of the layer using a first application of radiant energy at a first energy level; and curing a second portion of the layer using a second application of radiant energy at a second energy level different from the first energy level.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a workpiece in an additive manufacturing process in which a starting material is solidified in a layer by layer fashion, with each layer of the workpiece being solidified using a patterned image of radiant energy configured as a two-dimensional grid array of pixels. The method includes: for each layer of the workpiece, determining a preferred angular orientation of the grid array, relative to the layer; and orienting the patterned image to the preferred angular orientation before solidifying the starting material for that layer.

Abstract: A fixture for facilitating sandblasting of a generally cylindrical object includes a frame, a rotary table mounted on the frame, and a moveable blast head which can direct a flow of grit onto a cylindrical object mounted on the rotary table. The blast head may be movable vertically so that it can be extended down into the interior of a cylindrical object. The blast head may also be movable in a rotational fashion. Further the blast head may be movable in horizontal directions so that the blast head can be moved relative to a vertically extending cylindrical surface of a cylindrical object mounted on the rotary table. Controlled movements of the rotary table and the blast head allow uniform sandblasting of the cylindrical object.

Abstract: A fixture for facilitating sandblasting of a generally cylindrical object includes a frame, a rotary table mounted on the frame, and a moveable blast head which can direct a flow of grit onto a cylindrical object mounted on the rotary table. The blast head may be movable vertically so that it can be extended down into the interior of a cylindrical object. The blast head may also be movable in a rotational fashion. Further the blast head may be movable in horizontal directions so that the blast head can be moved relative to a vertically extending cylindrical surface of a cylindrical object mounted on the rotary table. Controlled movements of the rotary table and the blast head allow uniform sandblasting of the cylindrical object.

Abstract: A procedure for repairing subsurface defects in a shell member laminate of a wind turbine blade includes detecting the location and boundary of the subsurface defect and drilling a fill hole from an external surface of the laminate into the defect proximate to a boundary of the defect. A vent hole is drilled from the external surface of the laminate into the defect proximate to an opposite boundary from the fill hole. A flowable bonding material is injected into the fill hole until the bonding material flows from the vent hole. The repair zone is reinforced with at least one mechanical fastener defined through the laminate either within the boundary of the defect or outboard of the boundary of the defect.

Abstract: A procedure for repairing subsurface defects in a shell member laminate of a wind turbine blade includes detecting the location and boundary of the subsurface defect and drilling a fill hole from an external surface of the laminate into the defect proximate to a boundary of the defect. A vent hole is drilled from the external surface of the laminate into the defect proximate to an opposite boundary from the fill hole. A flowable bonding material is injected into the fill hole until the bonding material flows from the vent hole. The repair zone is reinforced with at least one mechanical fastener defined through the laminate either within the boundary of the defect or outboard of the boundary of the defect.