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FROM:
Rakesh K. Kapania, Jing Li and H. Kapoor (Dept. of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Virginia Polytech Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA),
“Optimization and scaling of electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3) panels, First quarterly report, November 2004
http://www.dept.aoe.vt.edu/~jing/EBF3/
Researchers in the Materials and Thermal Structures Branch at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA, are exploring advanced metal manufacturing methods for rapid prototyping, fabrication and repair of aerospace structures. Electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3) is a layer addition technique that produces complex, unitized, structural metallic parts with strengths comparable to that of wrought product, directly from computer-aided design (CAD) data. Since the EBF3 process is digitally controlled, EBF3 can be used to perform repairs in remote locations, and it offers the potential for reductions in part manufacturing costs and weight, and increased material processing performance to enhance mission success for aircraft, launch vehicles, and spacecraft.
However, before this vision can be realized a number of technical issues related to the computational modeling and optimization of the fabrication process, practical applications, and the relationship between an application and the selection of parameters that impact the quality of the process must be addressed. The proposed work here is a step in that direction. We propose starting a joint VT/IALR/Langley integrated analysis/design/prototyping research program of complex structures. As a first step, the team will focus on following technical challenge: (I) integrated stiffened aluminum and titanium plates for aircraft structural panels subjected to complex in-plane and out-of-plane loads, and (II) implement these designs using some of the RPT capabilities available at IALR and Danville Community College.
The team at Virginia Tech will consist of Dr. Rakesh K. Kapania, and two graduate students. Dr. Don Moffitt of the Institute of Advanced Learning and Research will act as a liaison between Virginia Tech and The Dan River Community College.
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