Manufacturing in Microgravity and Varying External Force Environments
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An additive manufacturing device operable in a microgravity environment to create a part, the additive manufacturing device comprising:
- a feedstock source comprising feedstock;
a material bonding component, the material bonding component configured to receive portions of the feedstock from the feedstock source, the material bonding component positioning and bonding each of the portions of the received feedstock according to part creation instructions;
a material bonding component positioning system configured to position the material bonding component according to the part creation instructions; and
a build volume, the part being created within the build volume according to the part creation instructions.
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Abstract
Additive manufacturing devices operable in various external force environments are disclosed. In an aspect, an additive manufacturing device operable in microgravity is disclosed. In other aspects, devices which are operable in high-vibration environments or varying external force environments are disclosed. Additive manufacturing devices herein may produce parts from metal, polymer, or other feedstocks.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. An additive manufacturing device operable in a microgravity environment to create a part, the additive manufacturing device comprising:
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a feedstock source comprising feedstock; a material bonding component, the material bonding component configured to receive portions of the feedstock from the feedstock source, the material bonding component positioning and bonding each of the portions of the received feedstock according to part creation instructions; a material bonding component positioning system configured to position the material bonding component according to the part creation instructions; and a build volume, the part being created within the build volume according to the part creation instructions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An additive manufacturing device operable in a microgravity environment to create a part, the additive manufacturing device comprising:
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an enclosure, the enclosure having an enclosed volume, the enclosure comprising an access door positioned on a front enclosure wall, the enclosure configured to prevent electromagnetic interference; an environmental control unit positioned within the enclosed volume and regulating an enclosed volume environment; a removable feedstock source comprising an ABS plastic filament, removably connected at a feedstock source receptacle within the enclosure; a removable ABS plastic filament extruder component configured to receive the feedstock from the feedstock source, the extruder heating the received feedstock to a feedstock melting point and depositing the heated feedstock according to part creation instructions, the extruder comprising a release, operable by a hand for removably detaching the extruder from the additive manufacturing device; a build platform assembly positioned for movement within the build volume, the build platform assembly comprising; a build platform; and a plurality of alignment mechanisms contacting a build platform underside, configured to level the build platform, the plurality of alignment mechanisms adjusting the orientation of the build platform during part creation; and a traverse system configured to position the extruder according to the part creation instructions, the traverse system comprising a plurality of linear actuators configured to manipulate one of;
the build platform assembly and the extruder, each of the linear actuators comprising;a linear actuator motor; a screw-driven linear rail operably connected to the motor; and a carriage connected for movement to the linear rail; wherein the enclosure contains the extruder, the traverse system and the build platform assembly; and wherein each of the linear actuators is connected to a common surface of the additive manufacturing device.
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42. A method of additively manufacturing a part in a microgravity environment utilizing an additive manufacturing device comprising a feedstock source comprising feedstock;
- a material deposition component, the material deposition component configured to receive the feedstock from the feedstock source, the material deposition component heating the received feedstock to a feedstock melting point and depositing the heated feedstock according to part creation instructions;
a material deposition positioning system configured to position the material deposition component according to the part creation instructions; and
a build volume, the part being created within the build volume according to the part creation instructions, the method comprising;(a) receiving the part creation instructions from a remote source; (b) providing at least a portion of the part creation instructions to the additive manufacturing device; and (c) producing a part via the material deposition component and the material deposition positioning system according to the part creation instructions.
- a material deposition component, the material deposition component configured to receive the feedstock from the feedstock source, the material deposition component heating the received feedstock to a feedstock melting point and depositing the heated feedstock according to part creation instructions;
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43. An additive manufacturing device operable in a microgravity environment to create a part, the additive manufacturing device comprising:
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a feedstock source comprising feedstock; a material bonding component, the material bonding component configured to receive portions of the feedstock from the feedstock source, the material bonding component heating each of the portions of the received feedstock to a feedstock melting point and positioning the heated each of the portions of the feedstock according to part creation instructions; a material bonding component positioning system configured to position the material bonding component according to the part creation instructions; and a build volume, the part being created within the build volume according to the part creation instructions.
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Specification