Solid-state joining of preformed features, such as bosses, flanges, gaskets, centralizers and other features to substrates or cast parts by a solid-state additive manufacturing process is disclosed. Joining can be between same or different materials using same, similar or dissimilar filler material than the materials of the feature and the part that need to be joined.

Methods, apparatus and systems for additive manufacturing are provided. Such may include an additive manufacturing material supply, and an energy source that heats the additive manufacturing material supply, forming a melt pool; and an ultrasonic-vibrating member positioned at a distance behind the energy source, such that the ultrasonic-vibrating member is configured to contact the melt pool on a trailing side of the energy source and provide ultrasonic acoustic cavitation and streaming effects to the additive manufacturing process.

An additive friction stir fabrication method and system is described which may be used to fabricate and join a rib to a metallic substrate or to repair a defect in a metallic substrate through extrusion. The method may be carried out with or without the addition of preformed ribs. One such method involves feeding a friction-stir tool with a consumable filler material such that interaction of the friction-stir tool with the substrate generates plastic deformation at an interface between the friction-stir tool and a metallic substrate to bond the plasticized filler and substrate together and extrude this material through a forming cavity to form a rib joined to the metallic substrate. Further described is a system for fabricating a rib joined to a metallic substrate through extrusion.

The invention discloses a semi-solid additive manufacturing equipment and its manufacturing procedure. The equipment comprises a friction stir tool, a metal substrate and the additive metal material. The friction stir tool applies force to fixate the additive metal material to the metal substrate. The friction stir tool rotates, generate heat by making friction with the additive metal material and cuts into the additive metal material after it turns into semi-solid form. The friction stir tool moves along the direction of the additive metal material while continue applying force to fixate the metal material to the metal substrate. The said additive manufacturing equipment applies the concept of semi-solid formation, friction stir welding, and machinery theory to additive manufacturing and 3D printing. The results are improved process efficiency, enhanced product quality, increased material selections and cost reduction.

A method of forming a metallic coating a workpiece is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving a sacrificial deposition rod formed of a first material, receiving a workpiece of a second material, forming a coating of the first material from the sacrificial deposition rod onto the workpiece, the coating having a first thickness, and machining the coating to a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to multi-material electrical contacts, and methods of making multi-material electrical contact comprising a functionally graded monolithic structure, having a first metal and a second metal, an amount of the second metal as compared to an amount of the first metal increases with distance in the structure from a first surface to a second opposing surface of the structure such that the second metal content increases continuously or incrementally throughout the height of the electrical contact.

The invention relates to a rotatable, plungeable and free path travelable non-consumable tool (5) for production of a channel (2) and a weld joint (1). The tool (5) comprises a shoulder and a probe, the shoulder having a surface facing the material(s) of components (3) to be processed. The shoulder and the probe are arranged to have a simultaneous and synchronized action in the materials of at least two components (3) to be processed. The shoulder facing the at least two components (3) to be processed has a system of scrolls shaped to have an inward action and an outward action on the at least two components (3) to be processed. The probe has a cylindrical or conical surface having a top zone, provided with a profile having a push-up action on the components (3) to be processed in a direction towards the shoulder. The top zone ends at or in the vicinity of a bottom zone provided with a profile having a push-down action on the components (3) to be processed in a direction towards the tip. The tool (5) enables the production of a channel (2) and a weld (1), between said at least two components (3), in one single action.

Solid-state additive manufactured aluminum lithium alloy products and aluminum copper alloy products and methods of producing them are described. Various parts including aluminum lithium alloy products and aluminum copper alloys products are described.

A method for friction stir forming a metal matrix composite (MMC) structure (76). The method includes the step of providing a substrate (12) comprising a metallic material and securing a preformed MMC layer (14, 16) comprising an MMC material in a position overlying at least a portion of the substrate (12). The method further includes the step of friction stirring the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) with a friction stirring tool (50) which includes a rotating probe (56), including locating the probe (56) at a stirring depth at which the probe (56) extends through the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) into a portion of the substrate (12) and passing the tool (50) through the preformed MMC layer (14) at the stirring depth to friction stir the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) and integrate the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) with the substrate (12).

A method of forming an internal channel within a workpiece. In an embodiment, the method includes (a) rotating a tool about a central axis, wherein the tool includes: a shoulder; a pin extending axially from the shoulder; and a flange mounted to the pin that is spaced from the shoulder along the central axis. In addition, the method includes (b) moving the tool across the workpiece in a radial direction with respect to the central axis during (a). Further, the method includes (c) engaging the shoulder of the tool with an outer surface of the workpiece during (a) and (b), (d) submerging the pin and the flange within the workpiece during (a) and (b); and (e) forming the internal channel with the flange during (a) and (b).