Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Other

Adam J Campbell

Brennon L White

Paul Edward Krajewski

Richard J Skurkis

Chih-Hung Yen

Andrew Thomas Cunningham

Ali Shabbir

Jeffrey B Harris

Daniel R Gee

Benjamin John LeBlanc

Adam McFarland

Patrick J Eding

Stanley Tong

Steven Lewis Corzyk

John M Kuehnel

Dale Miller

A method for removing excess powder from a part for a vehicle during an additive manufacturing process, comprises defining parameters for a part, defining parameters for a removal tool comprising a plurality of links to create a chain-like structure, simultaneously creating the part and the removal tool via additive manufacturing, wherein the part defines an interior passageway and the removal tool is created within the interior passageway and, upon completion of the creation of the part and the removal tool, the removal tool is surrounded by excess powder in the interior passageway, and wherein each link of the plurality of links are created with a gap between adjacent links of the plurality of links, and removing the removal tool from the interior passageway, forcing at least some of the excess powder out of the interior passageway.

Systems and methods for creating a powder removal tool via additive manufacturing

Systems and methods are provided for cleaning surfaces of a workpiece. The system includes a housing defining an enclosure, a holding structure within the enclosure that is configured to support a workpiece, a first powder removal device that is configured to propel a first media toward the holding structure such that the first media contacts the workpiece while the workpiece is supported by the holding structure, a first sensing device that is configured to detect surface characteristics of the workpiece while the workpiece is supported by the holding structure, and a controller configured to, by a processor: detect a powder material on a surface of the workpiece based on the surface characteristics, and selectively operate the first powder removal device to remove the powder material from the surface with the first media while the workpiece is supported by the holding structure.

Systems and methods for cleaning surfaces of a workpiece

Methods and systems for additive manufacturing are provided. An exemplary method includes calculating a slice area distribution of a desired 3D design including slice areas of slices of the desired design, wherein the slices have an initial slice area differential. The method further includes obtaining a slice area distribution of a sacrificial 3D design comprising slice areas of slices of the sacrificial design. The method includes planning a 3D layout of the desired and sacrificial design, wherein at each respective parallel plane in the layout a total slice area includes a respective slice area of the desired design and a respective slice area of the sacrificial design, and wherein the layout has a total slice area differential that is less than the initial slice area differential. Also, the method includes generating instructions for printing slices of the desired design and the sacrificial design according to the layout.

Optimized additive manufacturing

A thermal management device for dissipating heat from an electrical component includes a volume of working fluid configured to change from a liquid state to a vapor state in response to being heated by the electrical component. The thermal management device also includes a working fluid chamber configured to move the working fluid. The working fluid chamber includes an impermeable outer portion and a porous inner portion integrally formed with and connected to the impermeable outer portion. The inner portion is configured to move the working fluid when in the liquid state toward the electrical component. The impermeable outer portion is made of a first material and the porous inner portion is made of a second material. The first material is different from the second material.

Thermal management device for use on electronics in a transportation vehicle

A method for producing a moldable object having a hollow plastic component and a single-piece plastic stanchion is provided. The method includes molding the single-piece plastic stanchion in a first mold. The molded stanchion includes a first substantially-closed end and a second substantially-open end, and a cap joined with the second end via a living-hinge, enabling the cap to assume and maintain a position, such that the second end becomes substantially covered. The method also includes flexing the living-hinge, wherein the cap assumes and maintains the position such that the second end is substantially covered. The method additionally includes arranging the single-piece stanchion relative to a second mold after the second end is substantially-covered via the cap. Furthermore, the method includes molding the hollow plastic component in the second mold, such that the single-piece stanchion is fixedly retained by the hollow plastic component.

Method of molding a unitary object

The present invention discloses a computer housing with specially shaped sides and removably attached aesthetic outer shells. The housing is formed of five sides where by four of them come together to form a sixth side, having at least one of these four sides hinged too open to reveal the interior of the computer housing. The housing is fastened to a base panel of an aesthetic outer shell where a top half section attaches itself to a base panel, concealing the housing.

Computer housing with removable aesthetic outer shells

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, MI, United States of America

Adam J Campbell