Systems and methods for adhesive-based part retention features in additively manufactured structures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020147684-A1
Application number	US-201816184801-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 8, 2018
Priority date	Nov 8, 2018
Publication date	May 14, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods for adhesive-based part retention features in additively manufactured structures are disclosed. A structure includes a first AM part configured to connect to a second part via a primary connection applied to an interface between the first AM part and the second part. The structure includes at least one retention element including a secondary connection. The secondary connection includes a first adhesive configured to secure the first AM part and the second part. The secondary connection may be located to provide a connection between the first AM part and the second part.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A structure, comprising:
a first additively manufactured (AM) part configured to connect to a second part via a primary connection applied to an interface between the first AM part and the second part; and at least one retention element comprising a secondary connection, the secondary connection comprising a first adhesive configured to secure the first AM part and the second part, and located to provide a connection between the first AM part and the second part.

2 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the first adhesive comprises a hot melt material applied between a first mechanical feature associated with the first AM part and a second mechanical feature associated with the second part.

3 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the first adhesive comprises an ultraviolet (UV) cured adhesive applied between a first mechanical feature associated with the first AM part and a second mechanical feature associated with the second part.

4 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the primary connection between the first AM part and the second part comprises a second adhesive.

5 . The structure of claim 4 , wherein the first adhesive is faster curing than the second adhesive.

6 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the secondary connection further comprises a mechanical structure.

7 . The structure of claim 6 , wherein the mechanical structure is integrated with at least one of the first AM part and the second part.

8 . The structure of claim 6 , wherein the mechanical structure is co-printed with at least one of the first AM part and the second part.

9 . The structure of claim 6 , wherein the mechanical structure is separate from the first AM part and the second part.

10 . A method, comprising:
additively manufacturing a first additively manufactured (AM) part configured to connect to a second part via a primary connection applied to an interface between the first AM part and the second part; and attaching the second part to the first AM part using at least one retention element comprising a secondary connection, the secondary connection comprising a first adhesive configured to secure the first AM part and the second part, and located to provide a connection between the first AM part and the second part.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the first adhesive comprises a hot melt material applied between a first mechanical feature associated with the first AM part and a second mechanical feature associated with the second part.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the first adhesive comprises an ultraviolet (UV) cured adhesive applied between a first mechanical feature associated with the first AM part and a second mechanical feature associated with the second part.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the primary connection between the first AM part and the second part comprises a second adhesive.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the first adhesive is faster curing than the second adhesive.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising applying the first adhesive during application of the second adhesive.

16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising applying the first adhesive during curing of the second adhesive.

17 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising applying the first adhesive prior to application of the second adhesive.

18 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising applying the first adhesive prior to curing of the second adhesive.

19 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising applying the first adhesive to secure the first AM part and the second part during application of the second adhesive.

20 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising applying the first adhesive to secure the first AM part and the second part during curing of the second adhesive.

21 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the secondary connection further comprises a mechanical structure.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the mechanical structure is integrated with at least one of the first AM part and the second part.

23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the mechanical structure is co-printed with at least one of the first AM part and the second part.

24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the mechanical structure is separate from the first AM part and the second part.

25 . A manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
means for additively manufacturing a first additively manufactured (AM) part configured to connect to a second part via a primary connection applied to an interface between the first AM part and the second part; and means for attaching the second part to the first AM part using at least one retention element comprising a secondary connection, the secondary connection comprising a first adhesive configured to secure the first AM part and the second part, and located to provide a connection between the first AM part and the second part.

26 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the first adhesive comprises a hot melt material applied between a first mechanical feature associated with the first AM part and a second mechanical feature associated with the second part.

27 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the first adhesive comprises an ultraviolet (UV) cured adhesive applied between a first mechanical feature associated with the first AM part and a second mechanical feature associated with the second part.

28 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the primary connection between the first AM part and the second part comprises a second adhesive.

29 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the first adhesive is faster curing than the second adhesive.

30 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 28 , further comprising means for applying the first adhesive during application of the second adhesive.

31 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 28 , further comprising means for applying the first adhesive during curing of the second adhesive.

32 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 28 , further comprising means for applying the first adhesive prior to application of the second adhesive.

33 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 28 , further comprising means for applying the first adhesive prior to curing of the second adhesive.

34 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 28 , further comprising means for applying the first adhesive to secure the first AM part and the second part during application of the second adhesive.

35 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 28 , further comprising means for applying the first adhesive to secure the first AM part and the second part during curing of the second adhesive.

36 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the secondary connection further comprises a mechanical structure.

37 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 36 , wherein the mechanical structure is integrated with at least one of the first AM part and the second part.

38 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 36 , wherein the mechanical structure is co-printed with at least one of the first AM part and the second part.

39 . The manufacturing apparatus of claim 36 , wherein the mechanical s

Assignees

• Divergent Tech Inc

Inventors

• Bowden Jr Thomas Samuel
• Okoli Chukwubuikem Marcel
• HOYLE Richard Winston

Classifications

• B33Y30/00

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

• B33Y10/00

  Processes of additive manufacturing · CPC title

• B33Y80/00 Primary

  Products made by additive manufacturing · CPC title

• B22F3/008 Primary

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B22F12/88 Primary

  Handling of additively manufactured products, e.g. by robots · CPC title