The Boeing Company

Eric D Bol

Daniel G Sanders

Cory Clawson Cunningham

Justin L'Hote

Electron beam powder bed fusion may be performed using waste powder from laser beam powder bed fusion by pre-heating a build chamber using stepped increases of electron beam current. To perform the pre-heating without smoking the powder, a plurality of predetermined interim temperatures, ranging from an ambient, resting temperature of the build chamber to a predetermined preheated temperature, are determined. A build plate within the build chamber is exposed to a plurality of streams of electrons, one at a time, while the build plate is surrounded by the waste powder. Each stream of electrons has a progressively increasing current, with the current being increased each time an actual temperature of the build chamber reaches or exceeds the next predetermined interim temperature. The actual temperature of the build chamber is monitored during the pre-heating, to compare the actual temperature of the build chamber to the plurality of predetermined interim temperatures.

Pre-heating methods for performing electron beam powder bed fusion

A metallic structure includes a metallic sheet, including a metallic-sheet first surface and a metallic-sheet second surface. The metallic structure includes a metallic doubler, extending from the metallic-sheet first surface, and a first junction between the metallic-sheet first surface and the metallic doubler. The metallic structure includes a metallic article, extending from the metallic-sheet second surface, and a second junction between the metallic-sheet second surface and the metallic article. The first junction has a first-junction boundary. The second junction has a second-junction boundary. When viewed at any point along the second-junction boundary in a direction, perpendicular to the metallic-sheet first surface, the second-junction boundary does not extend outside of the first-junction boundary. In a plane, intersecting the metallic doubler and perpendicular to the metallic-sheet first surface, the metallic doubler has at least a first doubler thickness and a second doubler thickness, which is less than the first doubler thickness.

Metallic structures with additively manufactured metallic articles and methods for fabrication

An apparatus for fabricating a part, comprising a curved shaft; a build plate connected to the curved shaft; a motor; and a transmission connecting the motor and the curved shaft. The build plate moves along a curved path having a radius of curvature originating on an axis when the transmission transfers power from the motor to the curved shaft. Material deposited on the build plate along the curved path forms the part comprising a solid of revolution around the axis. In one or more examples, the part is an aircraft engine inlet.

Method for additive manufacturing nacelle inlet lipskins

A method and apparatus comprising a sleeve, at least one linear electric motor connected to the sleeve, and a controller. The sleeve is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The sleeve exposes a cascade when in the second position. The at least one linear electric motor is configured to move the sleeve between the first position and the second position. The controller is configured to control operation of the at least one linear electric motor to move the sleeve between the first position and the second position.

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Lake Stevens, WA, United States of America

Eric D Bol