Additive Manufacturing Forging Head With Through-Hole Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing additive manufacturing methods using the 'melting-solidification' method produce coarse, directionally oriented crystals, making it difficult to achieve comprehensive performance comparable to forged materials, and the high-temperature processing conditions lead to frequent damage and inefficiency of the forging head in composite machining processes.

Innovation Solution

A forging head with a base portion and a forging portion that includes a through hole for an energy beam and additive material to pass through, allowing real-time forging and peening of the cladding layer during additive manufacturing, along with a fixing device for the forging head that includes a cavity for coolant circulation to prevent overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the 'melting-solidification' method is used for additive manufacturing, then material deposition and metallurgical bonding are achieved, but coarse directionally oriented crystals are produced making it difficult to achieve comprehensive performance comparable to forged materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoidcrystal structure quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines additive manufacturing with forging processes in a hybrid system. The forging head integrates both deposition functions (for material addition) and forging functions (for consolidation and microstructure refinement), enabling simultaneous melting-solidification and mechanical working to produce fine equiaxed crystal structures while maintaining complex geometry capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the processing parameters by introducing controlled thermal cycles and mechanical stress conditions during additive manufacturing. Through parameters such as laser power, scanning speed, and forging pressure, the system transforms the crystal structure from coarse directional grains to fine equiaxed grains, improving mechanical properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If real-time forging is performed during cladding layer formation, then fine equiaxed crystal structures are formed and internal defects are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystal structure uniformityVSAvoidforging device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the forging head to perform multiple functions simultaneously: material deposition, melting, consolidation, and real-time forging. This multi-functional design integrates what would traditionally be separate processes into a single tool, reducing the need for additional equipment while achieving fine equiaxed crystal structures and defect reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances the mechanical properties of the final parts by promoting recrystallization and forming fine equiaxed crystal structures, reduces internal defects, and extends the service life of the forging head by maintaining it within a suitable temperature range.

Implementation Method 1

an energy beam... for fusing at least a portion of a material added to a surface of the substrate for forming a cladding layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

a forging portion... for forging a cladding layer during formation of the cladding layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

a through hole which is formed through the base portion and the forging portion, for at least one of an energy beam and an additive material to pass through

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3505269B1Forging device for additive manufacturing system
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP3505269B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3505269B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3505269B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A forging head for additive manufacturing, comprising a base portion and a forging portion. The forging portion extends from the base portion for forging a cladding layer during formation of the cladding layer by additive manufacturing. The forging head further comprising a through hole which is formed through the base portion and the forging portion, for at least one of an energy bean and an additive material to pass through during formation of the cladding layer.