The present invention relates to an additive manufacturing system and its methods. The system includes a material conveyor, an energy source, and a micro-forging device. The material conveyor is configured to convey material. The energy source is configured to direct an energy beam toward the material, the energy beam fuses at least a portion of the material to form a solidified portion. The micro-forging device is movable along with the material conveyor for forging the solidified portion, wherein the micro-forging device comprises a first forging hammer and a second forging hammer, the first forging hammer is configured to impact the solidified portion to generate a first deformation, and the second forging hammer is configured to impact the solidified portion to generate a second deformation greater than the first deformation.

A method for manufacturing a metal object having a solid lubricating surface layer includes: providing a metal blank having a surface; providing a plurality of microparticles and solid lubricating powder, and mixing them together, wherein the microparticles have a hardness greater than that of the surface; and projecting the microparticles and the solid lubricating powder onto the surface, wherein the microparticles cause plastic flow on the surface to form a compressive stress layer, and the solid lubricating powder adheres to the compressive stress layer to form a solid lubricating surface layer.

A method for manufacturing a metal object having a solid lubricating surface layer includes: providing a metal blank having a surface; providing a plurality of microparticles and solid lubricating powder, and mixing them together, wherein the microparticles have a hardness greater than that of the surface; and projecting the microparticles and the solid lubricating powder onto the surface, wherein the microparticles cause plastic flow on the surface to form a compressive stress layer, and the solid lubricating powder adheres to the compressive stress layer to form a solid lubricating surface layer.

A gear includes a sintered body, in which Fe is contained as a principal component, Ni is contained in a proportion of 2 mass % or more and 20 mass % or less, Si is contained in a proportion of 0.3 mass % or more and 5.0 mass % or less, C is contained in a proportion of 0.005 mass % or more and 0.3 mass % or less, and one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Y, Zr, Nb, Hf, and Ta is defined as a first element, that is contained in a proportion of 0.01 mass % or more and 0.7 mass % or less.

Heterogeneously dense (relative density) continuous one-piece insoluble reticulated foam material with a continuous relative density gradient and/or distinct and marked relative densities and methods of manufacture.

Heterogeneously dense (relative density) continuous one-piece insoluble reticulated foam material with a continuous relative density gradient and/or distinct and marked relative densities and methods of manufacture.

The present disclosure provides a method of forming an overhang for a three-dimensional printed part. The method includes ejecting one or more drops of a print material to create a preform onto a top layer of a three-dimensional printed part where the preform is oriented at an angle of 60 degrees or greater relative to a print bed in a first dimension, and bending the preform to form the overhang having an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the print bed, and where no portion of the preform contacts the print bed. A printing system for executing a method of forming an overhang for a three-dimensional printed part is also disclosed.

The present disclosure provides a method of forming an overhang for a three-dimensional printed part. The method includes ejecting one or more drops of a print material to create a preform onto a top layer of a three-dimensional printed part where the preform is oriented at an angle of 60 degrees or greater relative to a print bed in a first dimension, and bending the preform to form the overhang having an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the print bed, and where no portion of the preform contacts the print bed. A printing system for executing a method of forming an overhang for a three-dimensional printed part is also disclosed.

A method for attaching a contact element to the end of an electrical conductor is provided. In the method electrically conductive material is shaped to form a contact element with a variable shape. The end of the bare conductor is firstly moved into an at least approximately vertical position. Particles of an electrically conductive material are then applied at a high speed to the upwardly projecting front-side end of the conductor in the axial direction thereof that the material of the conductor connects to the electrically conductive material to form a compact structure which is connected to the material of the conductor in a mechanically fixed and electrically conductive fashion. Additional particles of the electrically conductive material are applied to the compact structure, and the metal body is shaped mechanically to form the contact element.

A method for attaching a contact element to the end of an electrical conductor is provided. In the method electrically conductive material is shaped to form a contact element with a variable shape. The end of the bare conductor is firstly moved into an at least approximately vertical position. Particles of an electrically conductive material are then applied at a high speed to the upwardly projecting front-side end of the conductor in the axial direction thereof that the material of the conductor connects to the electrically conductive material to form a compact structure which is connected to the material of the conductor in a mechanically fixed and electrically conductive fashion. Additional particles of the electrically conductive material are applied to the compact structure, and the metal body is shaped mechanically to form the contact element.