System and method for manufacturing components using three-dimensional printing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017246798-A1
Application number	US-201615056382-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 29, 2016
Priority date	Feb 29, 2016
Publication date	Aug 31, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system of manufacturing a plurality of components at a location in which the components are used includes a computing device having a software program configured to generate at least one data file for the components and a non-transient memory configured to store the data file. Additionally, the system includes a three-dimensional printing device electrically coupled to the computing device. The three-dimensional printing device is configured to receive the data file and form the components in at least one of an axial plane and a radial plane during a single operation of the printing device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of manufacturing a plurality of components at a location in which the plurality of components are used, the method comprising:
providing a computing device including a software program configured to generate at least one data file for the plurality of components and a non-transient memory configured to store the data file; transmitting the data file to a three-dimensional printing device; forming, with the three-dimensional printing device, the plurality of components in at least one of an axial plane and a radial plane during a single operation of the printing device.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming, with the three-dimensional printing device, a support portion comprised of a soluble material, and contacting at least a portion of one of the components with at least a portion of the support portion.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising dissolving the support portion from the components.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein forming the components includes forming the components of a material different than the soluble material of the support portion.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming the components in a single radial plane, the components being concentric with each other, and forming the support portion radially intermediate two of the components.

6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising forming the components in a single vertical plane, the components being axially aligned in the single vertical plane, and forming the support portion axially intermediate two of the axially-aligned components.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the support portion contacts at least two axially-adjacent components.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying pressure to the components during the step of forming the components.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing in the memory a first plurality of data files generated by the software program and storing in the memory a second plurality of data files based on an identification of each of the components.

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a three-dimension scan of at least one of the components and generating the data file from the three-dimensional scan.

11 . A system of manufacturing a plurality of components at a location in which the plurality of components are used, the system comprising:
a computing device including a software program configured to generate at least one data file for the plurality of components and a non-transient memory configured to store the data file; and a three-dimensional printing device electrically coupled to the computing device, the three-dimensional printing device being configured to receive the data file and form the plurality of components in at least one of an axial plane and a radial plane during a single operation of the printing device.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the three-dimensional printing device is configured to form a support portion from a soluble material.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the support portion is coupled to at least some of the components and is configured to dissolve from the components.

14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the components are comprised of a material different than the soluble material of the support portion.

15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the three-dimensional printing device is configured to form the components in a single radial plane, the components being concentric with each other, and is configured to form the support portion radially intermediate two of the components.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the three-dimensional printing device is configured to form the components in a single vertical plane, the components being axially aligned in the single vertical plane, and is configured to form the support portion axially intermediate two of the axially-aligned components.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the support portion contacts each of the two axially-aligned components.

18 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the three-dimensional printing device is configured to apply pressure to the components.

19 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the non-transient memory is configured to store a first plurality of data files generated by the software program and a second plurality of data files based on an identification of each of the components.

20 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the computing device includes a three-dimensional scanner configured to form a three-dimension scan of at least one of the components and generate the data file from the three-dimensional scan.

21 . A system of manufacturing a plurality of components at a location in which the plurality of components are used, the system comprising:
a computing device including a software program configured to generate at least one data file for the plurality of components and a non-transient memory configured to store the data file in a database; and a three-dimensional printing device electrically coupled to the computing device, the three-dimensional printing device including a support platform, a housing supported on the support platform, a printing chamber contained within the housing, and a print head coupled to the housing, and the printing device being configured to receive the data file and form the plurality of components in both an axial plane and a radial plane during a single operation of the printing device, and the printing device being configured to form at least one support portion comprised of a soluble material between adjacent components of the plurality of components.

22 . A method of manufacturing a plurality of components at a location in which the plurality of components are used, the method comprising:
providing a computing device including a software program and a non-transient memory configured to store a data file in at least one database; generating the at least one data file for the plurality of components with at least one of the software program or an identification for the plurality of components; transmitting the at least one data file to a three-dimensional printing device; forming, with the three-dimensional printing device, the plurality of components in both an axial plane and a radial plane during a single operation of the printing device; forming, with the three-dimensional printing device, a support portion comprised of a soluble material between adjacent components of the plurality of components; applying pressure to the plurality of components; removing the support portion from the adjacent components; and drying the plurality of components.

Assignees

• Us Navy

Inventors

• Lam Jack

Classifications

• B29C64/182 Primary

  in parallel batches · CPC title

• B33Y30/00

  Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor · CPC title

• B29C64/40

  Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof · CPC title

• B33Y10/00

  Processes of additive manufacturing · CPC title

• B29L2031/26

  Sealing devices, e.g. packaging for pistons or pipe joints · CPC title