Systems and methods for additive manufacturing of transport structures

Abstract

Systems and methods for additive manufacturing of vehicles are provided. An additive manufacturing apparatus can include a printer that additively manufactures structures for a vehicle, and multiple analysis components. Each analysis component can receive information based on a design model of the vehicle and analyze the information based on an analysis factor. Each analysis component analyzes the information based on a different analysis factor. An integrator can receives the analyzed information from the analysis components, update the design model based on the analyzed information, and determine whether the updated design model satisfies criteria. If the updated design model satisfies the criteria, the integrator determines printing instructions for the printer to print one or more structures of the vehicle based on the updated design model, and if the updated design model does not satisfy the criteria, the integrator sends information based on the updated design model to the analysis components.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 340,930, filed May 24, 2016, entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORENGINEERING OPTIMIZATION FOR 3D-PRINTED STRUCTURES," which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. technical field [0003] The present disclosure relates generally to additive manufacturing, and more particularly to additive manufacturing (AM) printers for vehicle manufacturing. Background technique [0004] Three-dimensional ("3-D") printed or additively manufactured structures have broad engineering applications across multiple industries, including automotive, aerospace, maritime, and others. Modular construction using nodes or nodes is one example of a construction technique that can be used in vehicle design. Advantages such as low tooling costs, design flexibility, and the ability to generate efficient structures can be derived from this technique...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] However, as the complexity of 3-D printed designs increases, so does the complexity, requirements or constraints (e.g., time, cost, fabrication, etc.) associated with generating 3-D printed structures

Existing topology optimization techniques may be insufficient for the design and manufacture of objects (e.g., vehicles) based on 3-D printed structures, given the complex and sometimes conflicting design variables and objectives that differ from conventional designs

Images