An automated additive manufacturing production (AAMP) system includes one or more AAMP system stations disposed in an environment and configured to perform one or more AAMP routines, where each AAMP system station from among the one or more AAMP system stations includes a door. The AAMP system includes one or more robots configured to autonomously travel within the environment and a controller comprising an application program interface (API) configured to communicably couple the one or more robots and the one or more AAMP system stations, where the one or more robots are configured to command, via the API, the one or more AAMP system stations to selectively position the door and initiate the one or more AAMP routines.

A method of additive manufacture is disclosed. The method may include creating, by a 3D printer contained within an enclosure, a part having a weight greater than or equal to 2,000 kilograms. A gas management system may maintain gaseous oxygen within the enclosure atmospheric level. In some embodiments, a wheeled vehicle may transport the part from inside the enclosure, through an airlock, as the airlock operates to buffer between a gaseous environment within the enclosure and a gaseous environment outside the enclosure, and to a location exterior to both the enclosure and the airlock.

A modular system for performing additive manufacturing of an object includes at least two additive manufacturing devices, each having a housing with two slots on lateral sides to accommodate a manufacturing tray; a printer head and axis system; and a movement mechanism. A control module is operatively coupled to each of the at least two additive manufacturing devices. The control module is configured to control the at least two additive manufacturing devices to arrange the manufacturing tray in a first of the at least two additive manufacturing devices; print a part of the object on the manufacturing tray arranged in the first additive manufacturing device; move the manufacturing tray having the partially manufactured object to a second of the at least two additive manufacturing devices; and print a remaining part of the object on the manufacturing tray to complete the additive manufacturing of the object.

A modular system for performing additive manufacturing of an object includes at least two additive manufacturing devices, each having a housing with two slots on lateral sides to accommodate a manufacturing tray; a printer head and axis system; and a movement mechanism. A control module is operatively coupled to each of the at least two additive manufacturing devices. The control module is configured to control the at least two additive manufacturing devices to arrange the manufacturing tray in a first of the at least two additive manufacturing devices; print a part of the object on the manufacturing tray arranged in the first additive manufacturing device; move the manufacturing tray having the partially manufactured object to a second of the at least two additive manufacturing devices; and print a remaining part of the object on the manufacturing tray to complete the additive manufacturing of the object.

A galactic extrusion manufacturing (GEM) system for performing an extrusion process includes an extruder assembly for extruding building material during the extrusion process, and a connection system including a robotic arm-tether-crimper for attachment of the GEM system to space bound vehicles and/or structures in space or on orbit. The extrusion assembly includes an extruder head outfitted with multiple different heads for shaping the building material during the extrusion process, at least one power cartridge, and at least one building material cartridge containing the building material, wherein the power cartridge and the building material cartridge are removable and replaceable. Also provided are a building material cartridge for use with a GEM system or a dispensing control unit (DCU) to perform an extrusion process, and a smart extrusion system including a building material cartridge and a DCU.

A method and an apparatus for collecting powder samples in real-time in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing may involves an ingester system for in-process collection and characterizations of powder samples. The collection may be performed periodically and uses the results of characterizations for adjustments in the powder bed fusion process. The ingester system of the present disclosure is capable of packaging powder samples collected in real-time into storage containers serving a multitude purposes of audit, process adjustments or actions.

A method and an apparatus for collecting powder samples in real-time in powder bed fusion additive manufacturing may involves an ingester system for in-process collection and characterizations of powder samples. The collection may be performed periodically and uses the results of characterizations for adjustments in the powder bed fusion process. The ingester system of the present disclosure is capable of packaging powder samples collected in real-time into storage containers serving a multitude purposes of audit, process adjustments or actions.

A method for conducting an abrasive operation can include providing a fixed abrasive article and separating a first part from a second part using the fixed abrasive article according to a deterministic process.

A method for conducting an abrasive operation can include providing a fixed abrasive article and separating a first part from a second part using the fixed abrasive article according to a deterministic process.

Multiple printer housings and powder bed carts may be coordinated to perform a variety of 3D printing operations. Printer housings may call for powder bed carts directly or through a control station. A requested powder bed cart may be dispatched from a stand-by area and may navigate to the requesting printer housing autonomously using its magnetic guide sensors to follow lines of magnetic tape on the floor. At the requesting printer housing, the powder bed cart may dock, move the powdered media trays and powder bed into position by elevating on its jack screws, and printing operations may commence. As the powder bed cart becomes depleted of powdered media, the powder bed cart may decouple from the printer housing and return to the stand-by area where the trays are refilled with powdered media, and its batteries are recharged.