Directed energy deposition (ded) reinforcements on body structures and visible sheet metal surfaces
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsAdam Weyrauch, Steven Frank
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A part includes a sheet metal component having a predefined shape and at least one additively manufactured reinforcement deposited on, metallurgically bonded to, and extending along a surface of the sheet metal component. The at least one additively manufactured reinforcement can be a directed energy deposition (DED) reinforcement rib. Also, the at least one additively manufactured reinforcement can be deposited on the piece of sheet metal before the piece of sheet metal is formed into the predefined shape, or in the alternative, the at least one additively manufactured reinforcement can be deposited on the piece of sheet metal after the piece of sheet metal is formed into the predefined shape.
Claims20
A part comprising:
- a sheet metal component formed into a predefined shape;
- and
- at least one additively manufactured reinforcement deposited on, metallurgically bonded to, and extending along a surface of the sheet metal component.
A method of manufacturing a part comprising:
- forming a piece of sheet metal into a predefined shape;
- and
- additively manufacturing and metallurgically bonding at least one reinforcement onto the piece of sheet metal such that deformation of the predefined shape is inhibited.
A part formed by a method comprising:
- forming a piece of sheet metal into a predefined shape;
- and
- additively manufacturing and metallurgically bonding at least one reinforcement onto the piece of sheet metal such that deformation of the predefined shape is inhibited.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.