A system used to additively manufacture an object layer-by-layer using direct energy deposition (DED) includes a base where the object is formed, a depositor configured to deposit material layer-by-layer on the base or a previously deposited layer of the object, an energy source configured to selectively direct an energized beam at the material to fuse a new layer of the material to a previously formed layer, and a heating element in contact with at least a portion of the base and configured to supply heat to the base.

An induction welder for inductively welding two or more components has an induction coil for applying a magnetic field to a weld site of the two or more components to inductively weld the two or more components together. The induction coil includes a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is positioned proximate the weld site of the two or more components to inductively weld the two or more components at the weld site. A press is disposed distally of the induction coil such that the press is disposed between the induction coil and the two or more components when the two or more components are being inductively welded together. The press is used to apply pressure to the two or more components and press the two or more components together at the weld site simultaneously with the application of the magnetic field at the weld site.

An induction welder for inductively welding two or more components has an induction coil for applying a magnetic field to a weld site of the two or more components to inductively weld the two or more components together. The induction coil includes a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is positioned proximate the weld site of the two or more components to inductively weld the two or more components at the weld site. A press is disposed distally of the induction coil such that the press is disposed between the induction coil and the two or more components when the two or more components are being inductively welded together. The press is used to apply pressure to the two or more components and press the two or more components together at the weld site simultaneously with the application of the magnetic field at the weld site.

A method for forming a component includes providing a first layer of a mixture of first and second powders. The method includes determining the frequency of an alternating magnetic field to induce eddy currents sufficient to bulk heat only one of the first and second powders. The alternating magnetic field is applied at the determined frequency to a portion of the first layer of the mixture using a flux concentrator. Exposure to the magnetic field changes the phase of at least a portion of the first powder to liquid. A change in power transferred to the powder during a phase change in the powder is calculated to determine the quality of component formation.

A method for forming a component includes providing a first layer of a mixture of first and second powders. The method includes determining the frequency of an alternating magnetic field to induce eddy currents sufficient to bulk heat only one of the first and second powders. The alternating magnetic field is applied at the determined frequency to a portion of the first layer of the mixture using a flux concentrator. Exposure to the magnetic field changes the phase of at least a portion of the first powder to liquid. A change in power transferred to the powder during a phase change in the powder is calculated to determine the quality of component formation.

An example system for controlling heating of a workpiece includes: an interface configured to receive a target temperature (T.sub.T) for the workpiece; a processor configured to: select a current temperature (T.sub.S) for the workpiece based on monitoring one or more temperature sensors; and set a control temperature (T.sub.C) based on the received target temperature and T.sub.S; and a control system configured to: control heating of the workpiece via a heating device until the workpiece reaches T.sub.C as measured by at least one of the one or more temperature sensors, and controlling the heating device to stop heating the workpiece in response to the workpiece reaching T.sub.C; wherein: the processor is configured to characterize a temperature ramp rate based on a measured temperature overshoot at the workpiece after turning off the heating device; and the control system is configured to control heating of the workpiece to T.sub.T by controlling the heating device based on the temperature ramp rate.

An example system for controlling heating of a workpiece includes: an interface configured to receive a target temperature (T.sub.T) for the workpiece; a processor configured to: select a current temperature (T.sub.S) for the workpiece based on monitoring one or more temperature sensors; and set a control temperature (T.sub.C) based on the received target temperature and T.sub.S; and a control system configured to: control heating of the workpiece via a heating device until the workpiece reaches T.sub.C as measured by at least one of the one or more temperature sensors, and controlling the heating device to stop heating the workpiece in response to the workpiece reaching T.sub.C; wherein: the processor is configured to characterize a temperature ramp rate based on a measured temperature overshoot at the workpiece after turning off the heating device; and the control system is configured to control heating of the workpiece to T.sub.T by controlling the heating device based on the temperature ramp rate.

A heating apparatus for induction heating is disclosed. The heating apparatus may comprise a bearing ring, at least one bearing element disposed in the bearing ring, and a braze material adjacent to the at least one bearing element and the bearing ring. The heating apparatus may additionally comprise an inductor positioned radially adjacent to at least a portion of the bearing ring. A current source may be electrically coupled to the inductor. A bearing orienting member may also abut a surface of the at least one bearing element. The bearing orienting member may orient a surface of the at least one bearing element. A heating method is also disclosed.

A heating apparatus for induction heating is disclosed. The heating apparatus may comprise a bearing ring, at least one bearing element disposed in the bearing ring, and a braze material adjacent to the at least one bearing element and the bearing ring. The heating apparatus may additionally comprise an inductor positioned radially adjacent to at least a portion of the bearing ring. A current source may be electrically coupled to the inductor. A bearing orienting member may also abut a surface of the at least one bearing element. The bearing orienting member may orient a surface of the at least one bearing element. A heating method is also disclosed.

A method of fixing a membrane to a surface is disclosed. The method includes affixing a metallic washer having a heat-activated adhesive layer on a surface; arranging a membrane on top of the surface and the heat-activated adhesive layer of the metallic washer; heating the metallic washer to activate the heat-activated adhesive layer such that the membrane is fixable to the metallic washer; positioning a magnetic clamping heat sink assembly on the membrane; magnetically clamping the magnetic clamping heat sink assembly to the metallic washer causing the magnetic clamping heat sink assembly to apply a force against the membrane when the magnetic clamping heat sink assembly sufficiently overlaps the metallic washer to form a secure bond; and cooling the metallic washer, the heat-activated adhesive layer, and the membrane by removing heat through the magnetic clamping heat sink assembly.