University of Michigan

Jonathan Wesley McGee

Anthony M Waas

Sean Ahlquist

Cathlyn Newell

Zackery Belanger

Asa Leland Peller

A method of fabricating an acoustic device includes forming a plurality of holes in a panel, disposing the panel in a support frame, and heating the panel to a temperature such that the panel sags while disposed in the support frame and each hole of the plurality of holes is modified.

Acoustic device thermoforming

Methods to increase structural performance, strength, and durability of textile-reinforced composite materials are provided. The textile reinforcement may be knitted, for example, in a flat bed weft knitting machine. The method may include pre-stressing a textile reinforcement preform by applying tension. A polymeric precursor may be introduced to the pre-stressed textile reinforcement preform. The polymeric precursor may then be cured or consolidated, followed by releasing of the applied tension to form the composite article comprising polymer and the pre-stressed textile reinforcement. In other aspects, a composite article is provided that has a pre-stressed textile reinforcement structure and a cured polymer. The textile reinforcement may be a knitted, lightweight, seamless, unitary structure. The knitted reinforcement structure may have distinct first and second knitted regions with different levels of pre-stress, thus providing enhanced control over strength, rigidity, and flexibility of the composite article.

Methods to increase structural performance, strength and durability of fabric-reinforced composite materials by pre-stressing

An additive manufacturing (AM) extrusion die system having an extrusion die configured to receive a material to be extruded. The extrusion die includes a main body having a cylindrical section and a distal tapered section terminating at an extruder tip. The main body is configured to mount to a barrel of an additive manufacturing system. The die further includes a central extruder channel extending axially along the main body configured to receive the material at the cylindrical section of the main body and output the material at the extruder tip of the main body, and a cartridge heater slot formed within the main body and generally parallel to the central extruder channel. The cartridge heater slot configured to receive a cartridge heater therein for imparting thermal energy to the material within the central extruder channel. A cooling system is provided for controlling a temperature of the material.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Jonathan Wesley McGee