Build plates for additive manufacturing systems are disclosed. The build plates of the additive manufacturing systems may include a body including a build surface, and a bottom surface positioned opposite the build surface. The build plates may also include a first conduit formed through the body and extending between the build surface and the bottom surface. The first conduit may be configured to be in fluid communication with a first aperture formed through a surface of a first component that may be built on the build surface of the body of the build plates.

A method for producing a hollow, helical, electrically conducting body. The method comprising: producing a helical core made of a core material that can be at least one of liquefied and evaporated under the action of heat; coating the helical core with a first powder layer of an at least partially electrically conducting powder using a powder coating method; heating the helical core and the first powder layer to a first temperature, at which the helical core is at least one of liquefied and evaporated and at which the first powder layer is at least partially solidified in porous form, the core material exiting space surrounded by the first powder layer; and after the core material has exited the space surrounded by the first powder layer, sintering the first powder layer by heating the first powder layer to a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature.

A method for producing a hollow, helical, electrically conducting body. The method comprising: producing a helical core made of a core material that can be at least one of liquefied and evaporated under the action of heat; coating the helical core with a first powder layer of an at least partially electrically conducting powder using a powder coating method; heating the helical core and the first powder layer to a first temperature, at which the helical core is at least one of liquefied and evaporated and at which the first powder layer is at least partially solidified in porous form, the core material exiting space surrounded by the first powder layer; and after the core material has exited the space surrounded by the first powder layer, sintering the first powder layer by heating the first powder layer to a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature.

Additive-based electroforming manufacturing methods for producing turbomachine components and other metallic articles are provided, as are metallic articles manufactured utilizing such manufacturing methods. In various embodiments, the method includes providing a sacrificial tooling structure having a component-defining surface region. A metallic body layer or shell is deposited over the component-defining surface region utilizing an electroforming process. The tooling structure is removed, while the metallic body layer is left substantially intact. After tooling structure removal, the metallic body layer is further processed to complete fabrication of the metallic component.

Additive-based electroforming manufacturing methods for producing turbomachine components and other metallic articles are provided, as are metallic articles manufactured utilizing such manufacturing methods. In various embodiments, the method includes providing a sacrificial tooling structure having a component-defining surface region. A metallic body layer or shell is deposited over the component-defining surface region utilizing an electroforming process. The tooling structure is removed, while the metallic body layer is left substantially intact. After tooling structure removal, the metallic body layer is further processed to complete fabrication of the metallic component.

A duct for a turbine engine, such as a gas turbine engine, can be utilized to carry a fluid from one portion of the engine to another. The duct can include a metallic tubular element having one of a varying wall thickness, a varying cross section, or a tight bend. Such a duct can be formed utilizing additive manufacturing or metal deposition on an additively manufactured mandrel.

A duct for a turbine engine, such as a gas turbine engine, can be utilized to carry a fluid from one portion of the engine to another. The duct can include a metallic tubular element having one of a varying wall thickness, a varying cross section, or a tight bend. Such a duct can be formed utilizing additive manufacturing or metal deposition on an additively manufactured mandrel.

Additive-based electroforming manufacturing methods for producing turbomachine components and other metallic articles are provided, as are metallic articles manufactured utilizing such manufacturing methods. In various embodiments, the method includes the step or process of additively manufacturing a sacrificial tooling structure having a component-defining surface region. A metallic body layer or shell is deposited over the component-defining surface region utilizing an electroforming process such that a geometry of the component-defining surface region is transferred to the body layer. The tooling structure is chemically dissolved, thermally decomposed, or otherwise removed, while the metallic body layer is left substantially intact. After tooling structure removal, the metallic body layer is further processed to complete fabrication of the metallic component. In certain implementations, the method may further include the step or process of depositing an electrically-conductive base coat over the component-defining surface region of the tooling structure for usage in the subsequently-performed electroforming process.

Additive-based electroforming manufacturing methods for producing turbomachine components and other metallic articles are provided, as are metallic articles manufactured utilizing such manufacturing methods. In various embodiments, the method includes the step or process of additively manufacturing a sacrificial tooling structure having a component-defining surface region. A metallic body layer or shell is deposited over the component-defining surface region utilizing an electroforming process such that a geometry of the component-defining surface region is transferred to the body layer. The tooling structure is chemically dissolved, thermally decomposed, or otherwise removed, while the metallic body layer is left substantially intact. After tooling structure removal, the metallic body layer is further processed to complete fabrication of the metallic component. In certain implementations, the method may further include the step or process of depositing an electrically-conductive base coat over the component-defining surface region of the tooling structure for usage in the subsequently-performed electroforming process.

A manufacturing system includes a tension-wound system having a feedstock system and a shape fixture. The tension-wound system is configured to feed a feedstock from the feedstock system and to wind the feedstock under tension in successive layers around the shape fixture to allow the feedstock to form a component having a shape represented by the shape fixture. The manufacturing system includes a solid-state joining tool configured to additively join the successive layers of the feedstock. In a spiral tension-winding process, with a continuously-fed strip of aluminum feedstock around a piece of tooling, the feedstock can be friction stir welded and additively joined in successive layers to produce a large, near-net structure.