USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Andrew J Birnbaum

Alberto Piqué

John Michopoulos

Scott A Mathews

Athanasios Iliopoulos

Nicholas A Charipar

John Steuben

A method and apparatus for volumetric manufacture of three-dimensional physical objects from a precursor material based on plans, specifications, or virtual models. A build domain is provided comprising an enclosed three-dimensional wire grid in which the wires are connected to one or more electric power sources configured to controllably and addressably apply power to one or more individual wires to cause the wires to dissipate heat produced by Joule heating to the surrounding precursor material situated within the build domain, and to further allow for the control of the three-dimensional heat distribution and accordingly temperature distribution within the build domain. By activating and deactivating one or more predetermined subsets of the wires in the build domain, the precursor can be caused to melt and/or solidify so as to form a three-dimensional object within the build domain.

Method and apparatus for volumetric manufacture of composite objects

In a method of controlled laser deformation, a substrate is provided that is transparent to the laser energy. At least a portion of the substrate is coated with a release layer that absorbs the laser energy. A component to be deformed is attached to the release layer opposed to the substrate. A source of laser energy is directed through the substrate and into a portion of the release layer, which vaporizes the portion of the release layer by absorption of the laser energy, and releases a portion of the component from the substrate. This deforms the portion of the component away from the substrate by the vaporization of the release layer such that at least one edge of the component is no longer in contact with the release layer or substrate, and leaving a second portion of the component still attached to non-vaporized release layer.

Laser induced extra-planar elicitation

Disclosed herein is a method of: depositing an actuating material onto a bendable component; and applying heat or an electromagnetic force to the actuating material, such that the volume of the actuating material changes, causing the component to bend.

Growing community of inventors

Washington, DC, United States of America

Andrew J Birnbaum