IPC分类号：
B29C64/245 | B29C64/295 | B29C64/364 | B33Y10/00 | B33Y40/20 | B33Y80/00 | B29C64/118 | B33Y70/10 | B29C70/44 | B29C43/12 | B29C70/34
当前申请(专利权)人：
AIRBUS OPERATIONS, S.L.U.
原始申请(专利权)人：
AIRBUS OPERATIONS, S.L.U.
当前申请(专利权)人地址：
Av. John Lennon s/n, Getafe (Madrid), ES
发明人：
HERNÁIZ LÓPEZ, GUILLERMO | GUINALDO FERNÁNDEZ, ENRIQUE | JARA RODELGO, ÁLVARO | PARRA RUBIO, ALFONSO | VÁZQUEZ SÁNCHEZ, PABLO
代理机构：
ABG INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW, S.L.
摘要：
Method for manufacturing a part (1) layer-upon-layer using Additive Manufacturing technology, the method comprising the following steps: - printing the part (1) together with an elastomeric enclosure (2) shaped thereto leaving a gap free of material therebetween, the elastomeric enclosure comprising at least one opening (2.1); - heating the ensemble of the printed part and elastomeric enclosure or keeping an operating printing temperature; - applying vacuum by the at least one opening of the elastomeric enclosure so that the elastomeric enclosure deflates thus exerting pressure to the printed part; and - maintaining the printed part under vacuum and heat during a predefined time.
技术问题语段：
The patent text discusses the challenges in manufacturing structural parts for aircraft using conventional methods and the limitations of current Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies. The technical problem addressed in the text is the need for an easy, quick, reliable, and effective fabrication of structural printed parts that can be applied regardless of the intended geometry while ensuring the imparted mechanical properties meet structural requirements.
技术功效语段：
The present invention manufactures parts without any interfaces (integral or self-sealed) which have advantages such as better resistance to water ingestion and bending. The absence of interfaces also enhances the performance of the printed part.
权利要求：
1. Method for manufacturing a part (1) layer-upon-layer using Additive Manufacturing technology, the method comprising the following steps: - printing the part (1) together with an elastomeric enclosure (2) shaped thereto leaving a gap free of material therebetween, the elastomeric enclosure comprising at least one opening (2.1); - heating the ensemble of the printed part (1) and elastomeric enclosure (2) or keeping an operating printing temperature; - applying vacuum by the at least one opening (2.1) of the elastomeric enclosure (2) so that the elastomeric enclosure (2) deflates thus exerting pressure to the printed part (1); and - maintaining the printed part (1) under vacuum and heat during a predefined time.
2. Method for manufacturing according to claim 1, further comprising the following steps: - cooling down the ensemble of printed part (1) and elastomeric enclosure (2) at a predefined cooling speed, preferably the cooling speed being selected for such printed part (1) to achieve a degree of crystallization of at least 32%; and - removing the printed part (1) from the elastomeric enclosure (2) either manually or by applying air through the gap therebetween.
3. Method for manufacturing according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the elastomeric enclosure comprises at least one outer rib (2.2) formed by an elastomeric material excess.
4. Method for manufacturing according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the part (1) and the elastomeric enclosure (2) are printed onto a porous build sheet (3.1), this porous build sheet (3.1) being connected to a vacuum system (3) for applying vacuum.
5. Method for manufacturing according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ensemble of part (1) and elastomeric enclosure (2) is maintained at the operating temperature inside a printing chamber.
6. Method for manufacturing according to any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the following step: - printing layer-upon-layer an elastomeric connecting piece (4) configured to air-tightly connect with the at least one opening (2.1) of the elastomeric enclosure (2), wherein said elastomeric connecting piece (4) is printed either together with the part (1) and the elastomeric enclosure (2), or in a separate printing step; and wherein the step of applying vacuum further comprises: o air-tightly connecting the elastomeric connecting piece (4) with the at least one opening (2.1) of the elastomeric enclosure (2); and o connecting the vacuum system to said elastomeric connecting piece (4).
7. Method for manufacturing according to claim 6, further comprising the following step: - once the part (1) and the elastomeric enclosure (2) are printed, moving them to an oven or an autoclave in order to be maintained at the operating temperature therein.
8. Method for manufacturing according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the elastomeric enclosure (2) is made of silicone rubber and/or elastomeric polyurethane.
9. Method for manufacturing according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the printed part (1) is made of fibrous material reinforcement, preferably continuous fibres and/or short-fibres, embedded within meltable material, preferably thermoplastic material.
10. A compaction system for a printed part (1) manufactured layer-upon-layer using Additive Manufacturing technology, wherein the system comprises: - an elastomeric enclosure (2) printed layer-upon-layer together with the part (1) and adapted to be shaped thereto leaving a gap therebetween, wherein this enclosure (2) comprises at least one opening (2.1); - heating means configured to heat and maintain an ensemble of the printed part (1) and elastomeric enclosure (2) at an operating printing temperature; - means to apply vacuum (3) by the at least one opening (2) of the elastomeric enclosure (2.1), and - a controller, wherein the controller is configured to operate the means to apply vacuum (3) and the heating means at least during a predefined time simultaneously so that the elastomeric enclosure deflates thus exerts pressure to the printed part, obtaining a compacted printed part thereafter.
11. The compaction system according to claim 10, wherein the elastomeric enclosure (2) comprises at least one outer rib (2.2) formed by an elastomeric material excess.
12. The compaction system according to any of claims 10 or 11, wherein the heating means are either: arranged inside a printing chamber where the printed part and the elastomeric enclosure are to be printed, or is an oven or an autoclave.
13. The compaction system according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the means to apply vacuum comprises a porous build sheet (3.1) whereon the part (1) and the elastomeric enclosure (2) are printed, and a vacuum system (3.1) connected to such porous build sheet (3.2).
14. The compaction system according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the means to apply vacuum comprises an elastomeric connecting piece (4) configured to air-tightly connect with the at least one opening (2.1) of the elastomeric enclosure (2) and a vacuum system (3) connected thereto.
15. The compaction system according to claim 14, wherein the means to apply vacuum further comprises an air-tight seal at the connection between the elastomeric connecting piece (4) and the at least one opening (2) of the elastomeric enclosure (2) to ensure air-tightness.