A component can be formed having an integral monolithic body. The integral monolithic body can be formed utilizing electroforming processes such as electrodeposition of metal alloys. The electroformed monolithic body can be formed utilizing multiple anodes powered by multiple power sources. The monolithic body can have differing local material properties determined during formation of the component.

A gas turbine engine guide vane heat exchanger has guide vane heat exchanger including electroformed fluid channels in electroformed heat exchanger tubes or a heat exchanger core disposed within airfoil. Non-flammable heat conducting liquid or non-metallic foam may fill space between tubes or core and airfoil. Fluid circuit may include channels within electroformed heat exchanger tubes or the heat exchanger core and extend from inlet manifold to outlet manifold for directing fluid or oil through channels and include fluid or oil supply inlet connected to inlet manifold for receiving the fluid or oil flowed into inlet manifold and a fluid or oil supply outlet connected to fluid or oil supply outlet for discharging fluid or oil flowed out of fluid or oil outlet manifold. Heat exchanger tubes or heat exchanger core, inlet manifold, outlet manifold, supply inlet and supply outlet may be integrally and monolithically electroformed together.

A gas turbine engine guide vane heat exchanger has guide vane heat exchanger including electroformed fluid channels in electroformed heat exchanger tubes or a heat exchanger core disposed within airfoil. Non-flammable heat conducting liquid or non-metallic foam may fill space between tubes or core and airfoil. Fluid circuit may include channels within electroformed heat exchanger tubes or the heat exchanger core and extend from inlet manifold to outlet manifold for directing fluid or oil through channels and include fluid or oil supply inlet connected to inlet manifold for receiving the fluid or oil flowed into inlet manifold and a fluid or oil supply outlet connected to fluid or oil supply outlet for discharging fluid or oil flowed out of fluid or oil outlet manifold. Heat exchanger tubes or heat exchanger core, inlet manifold, outlet manifold, supply inlet and supply outlet may be integrally and monolithically electroformed together.

A method of manufacturing a flexible gear and a method of manufacturing a flexible gear unit that can achieve a further improvement in productivity and a further reduction in production cost, and a gear that allows a further improvement in productivity and a further reduction in production cost are provided. A method of manufacturing a flexible gear is provided which includes preparing a matrix with a flexible gear shape, and forming, by an electroforming method using the matrix, a flexible gear shape with predetermined thickness and releasing the flexible gear shape from the matrix. A method of manufacturing a flexible gear unit is provided which includes the method of manufacturing the flexible gear according to the present technology, and joining a shaft and/or a hub to the flexible gear. Further, a gear is provided which includes a gear part, a body part, and a diaphragm part, is made from a material suitable for an electroforming method, and has flexibility.

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 method for making a metallic leading edge guard of the type having a nose with first and second wings extending therefrom is disclosed. The method includes machining from a metallic blank a first half comprising a first portion of the nose and one of the wings, wherein the first portion of the nose includes an interface surface; and electroforming a second half comprising a second portion of the nose and the second wing, wherein the second half is joined to the first half at the interface surface.

A method for making a metallic leading edge guard of the type having a nose with first and second wings extending therefrom is disclosed. The method includes machining from a metallic blank a first half comprising a first portion of the nose and one of the wings, wherein the first portion of the nose includes an interface surface; and electroforming a second half comprising a second portion of the nose and the second wing, wherein the second half is joined to the first half at the interface surface.

A method of manufacturing a catheter tip by electroplating a conductive material over an insert comprising a negative to a domelike shape thereby forming a shape of the catheter tip comprising a dome with the domelike shape, selectively positioning a plurality of irrigation holes between outer and inner surfaces of the catheter tip, removing the insert thereby leaving the catheter tip and the plurality of irrigation holes, and electropolishing the catheter tip. In other examples, the insert is not removed and instead the step of electroplating causes the insert to be encapsulated with the conductive material thereby forming the catheter tip.

Systems, methods, and devices related to hollow metallic objects are disclosed. A solid sacrificial material is formed in a desired three-dimensional shape, and a precursor is deposited about an exterior surface of the solid sacrificial material. The precursor is used to deposit a first conductor about the exterior surface of the solid sacrificial material, and the solid sacrificial material is then removed. The first conductor assumes the three-dimensional shape, and is substantially hollow after removing the solid sacrificial material. Contemplated hollow metallic objects include waveguides, heat pipes, and vapor chambers.