The invention relates to an electrolyte for electropolishing metal surfaces, said electrolyte comprising methanesulphonic acid and additionally at least one phosphonic acid, as well as to an electropolishing method for same.

A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

A system for recoating a powder bed includes a build platform holding a powder bed and an electrode assembly including an electrode and an insulating shield. A voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current and communicates with the powder bed and the electrode. The electrode assembly is positionable over the powder bed, such that when the electrode assembly is over the powder bed, the shield is between the electrode and the powder bed's top surface. The voltage supply produces a high voltage alternating current that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and the powder bed that causes the powder of the powder bed top surface to oscillate in a region between the shield and the bed and then reposition themselves on the bed such that the top layer of the powder bed is smoother than it was prior to when the powder particles began oscillating.

A powder bed fusion apparatus for building an object in a layer-by-layer manner includes a build platform movable within a build sleeve to define a build volume, a layer formation device for forming layers of powder across the build volume in a working plane and an irradiation device for irradiating powder in the working plane to selectively fuse the powder. The powder bed fusion apparatus further includes a mechanical manipulator arranged to engage with the object and/or a build substrate, to which the object is attached, to tilt the object in a raised position above the working plane such that powder is freed from the object and deposited at a location above the working plane and/or into the build volume.

A powder bed fusion apparatus for building an object in a layer-by-layer manner includes a build platform movable within a build sleeve to define a build volume, a layer formation device for forming layers of powder across the build volume in a working plane and an irradiation device for irradiating powder in the working plane to selectively fuse the powder. The powder bed fusion apparatus further includes a mechanical manipulator arranged to engage with the object and/or a build substrate, to which the object is attached, to tilt the object in a raised position above the working plane such that powder is freed from the object and deposited at a location above the working plane and/or into the build volume.

A 3-dimensional printing system for manufacturing a part is provided. The system includes a building platform having a deposited pattern of metal powder, a sand dispensing nozzle selectively supplying sand to the building platform, a binder dispensing nozzle selectively supplying binder material to the building platform, a robotic arm supporting one or more of the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle, the robotic arm moving the one or more of the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle, and a processor controlling the robotic arm to position the one or more of the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle relative to the deposited pattern of metal powder and control the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle to supply powdered sand and binder, respectively, based on a Computer Aided Drafting file associated with the part.

A 3-dimensional printing system for manufacturing a part is provided. The system includes a building platform having a deposited pattern of metal powder, a sand dispensing nozzle selectively supplying sand to the building platform, a binder dispensing nozzle selectively supplying binder material to the building platform, a robotic arm supporting one or more of the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle, the robotic arm moving the one or more of the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle, and a processor controlling the robotic arm to position the one or more of the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle relative to the deposited pattern of metal powder and control the sand dispensing nozzle and the binder dispensing nozzle to supply powdered sand and binder, respectively, based on a Computer Aided Drafting file associated with the part.

Systems and methods for embedding a thermal management system in an electric propulsion (EP) system is presented. According to one aspect, one or more oscillating heat pipes (OHPs) are provided within functional elements of the EP system. Each OHP includes channel segments that include a sealed working fluid. The channel segments are joined to form a continuous serpentine channel with a channel path that alternates between hot and cold regions of the EP system. According to another aspect, the functional elements of the EP system are reduced to a single monolithic structure with an embedded OHP. The single monolithic structure may be a single material or a multi material. According to yet another aspect, the functional elements are elements of a magnetic circuit of the EP system, including one or more of a backplate, an outer pole, an inner pole, or a center pole.

Systems and methods for embedding a thermal management system in an electric propulsion (EP) system is presented. According to one aspect, one or more oscillating heat pipes (OHPs) are provided within functional elements of the EP system. Each OHP includes channel segments that include a sealed working fluid. The channel segments are joined to form a continuous serpentine channel with a channel path that alternates between hot and cold regions of the EP system. According to another aspect, the functional elements of the EP system are reduced to a single monolithic structure with an embedded OHP. The single monolithic structure may be a single material or a multi material. According to yet another aspect, the functional elements are elements of a magnetic circuit of the EP system, including one or more of a backplate, an outer pole, an inner pole, or a center pole.

An end effector for a vacuum system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the end effector includes a central duct having a first end configured for connection to a vacuum source and a second end defining a central duct inlet; a base member proximate the second end of the central duct; and a plurality of passages extending from an outer surface of the base member to an inner surface of the central duct, the plurality of passages characterized by a passage axis having an axial vector component.