Abstract: Additive manufacturing methods and systems are disclosed including irradiation devices for an additive manufacturing machine for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects. The irradiation device includes a beam generation device configured to provide an energy beam travelling on a nominal beam path trajectory and an optical modulator comprising a reflective optic downstream from the beam generating device, wherein the optical modulator is configured to actuate the reflective optic to modify a position of the energy beam from the nominal beam path trajectory. The irradiation device further includes an optical scanner disposed downstream from the optical modulator, wherein the optical scanner is configured to translate the nominal beam path trajectory along a build plane of the additive manufacturing machine.

Abstract: A coated part, such as a ceramic coated part, having a slot formed in a coating formed on a curvilinear portion of the part and a method of forming the slot. The method includes performing a plurality of laser ablation passes. Each laser ablation pass includes focusing a laser beam to a focus depth, irradiating the coating of the curvilinear portion with the laser beam focused at the focus depth to remove coating material of the coating by laser ablation, and scanning the laser beam in a scanning direction while irradiating the coating of the curvilinear portion with the laser beam. The scanning direction is a direction transverse to a thickness direction of the coating. The focus depth of each subsequent pass of the plurality of laser ablation passes is deeper in a thickness direction of the coating than the pass preceding the subsequent pass.

Abstract: A binder jet printing apparatus (10), along with methods of its use, is provided. The binder jet printing apparatus (10) may include: a job box (18) having a actuatable build plate (46) therein; a supply box (54) having a bottom platform (56) that is actuatable within the supply box (54); a print system including at least one print head (32) connected to a binder source (38) and configured to apply a pattern of binder onto an exposed powder layer (42) over the build plate (46) of the job box (18); a recoat system (16) including a recoater configured to move from the supply box (54) to the job box (18) to transfer powder from the supply box (54) to the job box (18) so as to form a new powder layer (48) over the build plate (46) of the job box (18); and a cure system (14) configured to direct electromagnetic radiation onto the job box (18).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic matrix composite component includes placing a first impregnated fiber layer on a surface, aligning a second impregnated fiber layer with the first impregnated fiber layer, and joining the first impregnated fiber layer with the second impregnated fiber layer at a plurality of discrete joining regions. The joining of the first and second impregnated fiber layers comprises transferring energy from at least one tool into the first and second impregnated fiber layers at the plurality of discrete joining regions.

Abstract: Improved gimbal systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture and associated methods are disclosed. Examples include a panel including a window, the window to define an aperture for a sensor; a platform to mount the sensor, the platform including a first pinion; a first stepper motor to move the first pinion about a first arched rack; a gimbal body including the first arched rack and a second pinion; and a second stepper motor to move the second pinion about a second arched rack, the second arched rack positioned orthogonally to the first arched rack.

Abstract: Improved gimbal systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture and associated methods are disclosed. Examples include a panel including a window, the window to define an aperture for a sensor; a platform to mount the sensor, the platform including a first pinion; a first stepper motor to move the first pinion about a first arched rack; a gimbal body including the first arched rack and a second pinion; and a second stepper motor to move the second pinion about a second arched rack, the second arched rack positioned orthogonally to the first arched rack.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is provided. The additive manufacturing system includes a build platform and at least one workstation. The build platform defines a continuous workflow path and is configured to rotate about a build platform axis. The workstation is spaced apart from the build platform along the third direction and at least one of the build platform and the workstation is configured to move along the third direction. The workstation includes at least one particle delivery device, at least one recoating device, and at least one consolidation device. The particle delivery device is configured to deposit particles on the build platform. The recoating device is configured to distribute the deposited particles to form a build layer on the build platform. The consolidation device is configured to consolidate at least a portion of the build layer.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing apparatuses, components of additive manufacturing apparatuses, and methods of using such manufacturing apparatuses and components are disclosed. An additive manufacturing apparatus may include a recoat head for distributing build material in a build area, a print head for depositing material in the build area, one or more actuators for moving the recoat head and the print head relative to the build area, and a cleaning station for cleaning the print head.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing apparatuses are disclosed. In one embodiment, an additive manufacturing apparatus may comprise a support chassis including a print bay, a build bay, and a material supply bay. Each bay may comprise an upper compartment and a lower compartment. A working surface may separate each of the print bay, the build bay, and the material supply bay into the upper compartment and the lower compartment, wherein: the build bay may be disposed between the print bay and the material supply bay. The lower compartment of the build bay comprises bulkheads sealing the lower compartment of the build bay from the lower compartment of the print bay and the lower compartment of the material supply bay.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to additive manufacturing apparatuses, cleaning stations incorporated therein, and methods of cleaning using the cleaning stations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to additive manufacturing apparatuses, cleaning stations incorporated therein, and methods of cleaning using the cleaning stations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to additive manufacturing apparatuses, cleaning stations incorporated therein, and methods of cleaning using the cleaning stations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to additive manufacturing apparatuses, cleaning stations incorporated therein, and methods of cleaning using the cleaning stations.

Abstract: A powder bed containment system for use with a rotating direct metal laser melting (DMLM) system includes an annular build plate, which includes an inner wall, an outer wall concentric with the inner wall and spaced radially apart from the inner wall, and a substantially planar build surface extending between the inner wall and the outer wall, where the substantially planar build surface is arranged to receive a weldable powder for manufacture of an object.

Abstract: An applicator assembly for applying pressure to a composite structure includes an external frame, an applicator casing disposed substantially within the external frame, and an applicator disposed substantially within the applicator casing. The applicator casing includes a first membrane, and a first jamming material disposed within the first membrane. The applicator includes a second membrane, and a second jamming material disposed within said second membrane.

Abstract: A direct metal laser melting (DMLM) system includes a rotatable base, and a build plate mounted on and supported by the rotatable base, where the build plate includes a build surface. The DMLM system also includes a first actuator assembly, a first powder dispenser disposed proximate the build plate and configured to deposit a weldable powder on the build surface of the build plate. In addition, the DMLM system includes a first powder spreader disposed proximate the build plate and configured to spread the weldable powder deposited on the build surface of the build plate, and a first laser scanner supported by the first actuator assembly in a position relative to the build plate, such that at least a portion of the build surface is within a field of view of the first laser scanner. The first laser scanner is configured to selectively weld the weldable powder. The first laser scanner is further configured to translate axially relative to the build surface on the first actuator assembly.

Abstract: A binder jet printing apparatus (10), along with methods of its use, is provided. The binder jet printing apparatus (10) may include: a job box (18) having a actuatable build plate (46) therein; a supply box (54) having a bottom platform (56) that is actuatable within the supply box (54); a print system including at least one print head (32) connected to a binder source (38) and configured to apply a pattern of binder onto an exposed powder layer (42) over the build plate (46) of the job box (18); a recoat system (16) including a recoater configured to move from the supply box (54) to the job box (18) to transfer powder from the supply box (54) to the job box (18) so as to form a new powder layer (48) over the build plate (46) of the job box (18); and a cure system (14) configured to direct electromagnetic radiation onto the job box (18).

Abstract: A device for the placement of material on a surface includes a housing, a motor coupled to the housing, and a driving component coupled to the housing and powered by the motor. The device further includes at least one guide chute defining a guide channel with the driving component. The device further includes a layup roller coupled to the housing adjacent the guide channel. The layup roller includes a roller surface and the guide channel is configured to discharge a quantity of material to the roller surface. The layup roller is configured to deposit the material onto the surface.

Abstract: An axial load management system for a turbomachine including a rotating drivetrain, a thrust bearing assembly, a sensor, and a valve supply line. The rotating drivetrain includes a compressor section and an expander section fluidly coupled together by a closed flowpath. The thrust bearing assembly includes a thrust runner, a thrust bearing housing, and a gas thrust bearing extending between the thrust runner and the thrust bearing housing. Further, the gas thrust bearing supports the rotating drivetrain. The sensor is attached to at least one of the thrust bearing housing or the gas thrust bearing. The valve supply line is fluidly coupled to the closed flowpath. A valve positioned within the valve supply line selectively allows a working fluid to flow between the closed flowpath and a thrust chamber defined by a rotating surface and a fixed surface to modify an axial load on the rotating drivetrain.

Abstract: A heating assembly for a bioreactor is disclosed. The heating assembly includes a holder having a plurality of segments coupled to each other to define a unitary structure and a heating component coupled to at least one segment of the plurality of segments. The unitary structure includes a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall. The side wall extends between the top end and the bottom end and along a circumferential direction of the heating assembly to define a cavity. At least a portion of the unitary structure has a gradually varied perimeter along a direction perpendicular to a plane which intersects the side wall and is parallel to the top end and the bottom end.