The Boeing Company

Gary Backhaus

Joseph A Pecina

Kwok Tung Chan

Mark Albrecht

Joe Pecina

Robert Burkett

A method of removing flash from a gauge portion of a monolithic precursor test coupon using a flash-removal tool is provided. The flash-removal tool comprises a tool body, extending along a longitudinal tool axis, a tooth, and an engagement surface, spaced apart from the tooth along the longitudinal tool axis. The tooth projects from the tool body in a first direction and comprises a shearing surface, facing in the first direction and located an offset distance away from the longitudinal tool axis in a second direction. The method comprises steps of coupling the engagement surface of the flash-removal tool against a first precursor-coupon end of the monolithic precursor test coupon, orienting the longitudinal tool axis parallel to a longitudinal symmetry axis of the monolithic precursor test coupon, wherein the shearing surface registers longitudinally with the flash, and shearing, using the shearing surface, the flash from the gauge portion.

Monolithic precursor test coupons for testing material properties of metal-injection-molded components and methods and apparatuses for making such coupons

A plug gauge includes a housing defining an internal volume and a longitudinal axis AH. The housing includes an opening into the internal volume. The plug gauge also includes a contact element at least partially received in the opening. The plug gauge further includes a plunger at least partially received in the internal volume. The plunger is biased into engagement with the contact element to urge the contact element radially outward from the housing through the opening. The plug gauge additionally includes a sealing member between the contact element and the housing.

Plug gauge and associated method for sealing the same

A method of making a test coupon using a mold is provided. The mold defines a mold cavity that comprises a first-grip-portion cavity, a second-grip-portion cavity, an intermediate-portion cavity, interconnecting the first-grip-portion cavity and the second-grip-portion cavity, and runner cavities, directly interconnecting the first-grip-portion cavity and the second-grip-portion cavity and not directly connected to the intermediate-portion cavity. The method comprises injecting feedstock material, comprising a metal powder, into the mold cavity to form a monolithic precursor test coupon in the mold cavity, wherein the monolithic precursor test coupon comprises a first grip portion, a second grip portion, an intermediate portion, and runners. The method also comprises removing the runners from the monolithic precursor test coupon.

A flash-removal tool comprises a tool body, extending along a longitudinal tool axis, and a tooth, projecting from the tool body in a first direction. The flash-removal tool further comprises an engagement surface, perpendicular to the longitudinal tool axis and located a preselected distance away from the tooth along the longitudinal tool axis. The tooth comprises a shearing surface, facing in the first direction and located an offset distance away from the longitudinal tool axis in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other and define a plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal tool axis.

Flash-removal tool

A titanium alloy melt includes about 7.0 to about 9.0 percent by weight vanadium (V), about 3.0 to about 4.5 percent by weight aluminum (Al), about 0.8 to about 1.5 percent by weight iron (Fe), at most about 0.15 percent by weight oxygen (O), and titanium (Ti) and a titanium alloy powder, formed from the titanium alloy melt, includes about 7.0 to about 9.0 percent by weight vanadium (V), about 3.0 to about 4.5 percent by weight aluminum (Al), about 0.8 to about 1.5 percent by weight iron (Fe), at most about 0.18 percent by weight oxygen (O), and titanium (Ti).

Powdered titanium alloy composition and article formed therefrom

A monolithic precursor test coupon includes a first grip portion, a second grip portion, and an intermediate portion, interconnecting the first grip portion and the second grip portion. The monolithic precursor test coupon also includes runners, directly interconnecting the first grip portion and the second grip portion and not directly connected to the intermediate portion. The first grip portion, the second grip portion, the intermediate portion, and the runners are composed of a substance that comprises metal powder and that is in a green state.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Stevens, WA, United States of America

Gary Backhaus