Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Lars Bognar

Raphael Koch

Maik Broda

Thomas Baranowski

Marcel Mathissen

Maximilian Engelke

An additive manufacturing method wherein an object is manufactured by powder being applied layer-by-layer by an application device onto a base along a buildup surface and being bonded in regions to form a matrix. To provide an efficient additive powder bed method, a position of the base is checked by at least one measurement with a sensor device and the position of the base is automatically corrected at least in relation to the application device based on the at least one measurement.

Additive manufacturing method

An apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional structures from a material that is to be solidified by way of location-selective solidification thereof as a result of light-induced chemical and/or physical processes in the material includes a laser source for producing a laser beam, a focusing optical unit for focusing the laser beam so as to form a laser focus, and a beam-splitter optical unit for splitting the laser beam into at least two partial laser beams. The laser source, the focusing optical unit and the beam-splitter optical unit are arranged such that the laser beam, starting from the laser source, passes first through the focusing optical unit and then through the beam-splitter optical unit and the partial laser beams finally are each directed to different locations on the material that is to be solidified.

Apparatus and method for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional structures

A production device having wear and/or manipulation identification is provided. The production device is produced at least for the most part by additive production methods and has a surface. The production device may be constructed as an assembly device, in particular workpiece coordination device, shaping tool or auxiliary technical production device. According to the present disclosure there is provided at least in a region of the surface at least one signal layer which, in an initial state of the production device, is arranged at a predetermined depth below a surface termination layer of the surface and is covered externally by the surface termination layer of the surface. In this instance, the signal layer differs in a visually perceptible manner from the surface termination layer.

Production device, in particular assembly device, workpiece coordination device, shaping tool, shaping tool insert, quality control device or installation gage, having wear and/or manipulation identification

A clamping device for clamping at least two components which are to be joined together includes a first carrier structure, a second carrier structure which is connectable to the first carrier structure by a connector, and at least one positioning device which is provided on the first or the second carrier structure in order to position the components to be joined together at a defined position with reference to the first or the second carrier structure. A method for designing a clamping device for clamping at least two components to be joined together includes steps for designing these various elements.

Clamping device for clamping at least two components to be joined together and a method for designing the same

A production aid for positioning at least one component relative to a further component includes a monolithic positioning main body configured such that, given its prescriptively correct arrangement on the further component, it predefines a prescriptively correct positioning of the component relative to the further component. The positioning main body includes at least one opening, into which a spacer bushing is positively fitted. The spacer bushing has a through hole through which a positioning pin is guided, or a positioning pivot, which is configured monolithically with the spacer bushing. The positioning main body, via the positioning pin or the positioning pivot, makes contact with the further component, and a longitudinal center axis of the through hole is arranged parallelly offset from a longitudinal center axis of the positioning pin or pivot.

Production aid

A system for connecting a wheel rim to a hub flange of a motor vehicle, having a fastener such a threaded nut or bolt, and a tool which engages the fastener in a positive-locking manner in order to tighten or release the fastener. To provide improved protection against theft of wheel rims and tires, the fastener has an annular groove extending axially from an end surface of the fastener, the groove having an annular base and inner and outer sidewalls shaped to form an undercut wider than an opening of the groove, a recess extending axially below the base for receiving a projection of a complementally-shaped key on the tool to allow rotation of the fastener. The undercut prevents an unauthorized person using a mold-making material, from being able to make an imprint of the groove and producing a tool therefrom to release the fastener.

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Dormagen, Germany

Lars Bognar