Relativity Space, Inc.

The present disclosure provides a system for printing at least a portion of a three-dimensional ( 3 D) object. The system may comprise a source of at least one feedstock, a support for supporting at least a portion of the 3 D object, a feeder for directing at least one feedstock from the source towards the support, and a power supply for supplying electrical current. The system may comprise a controller operatively coupled to the power supply. The controller may receive a computational representation of the 3 D object. The controller may direct the at least one feedstock through a feeder towards the support and may direct electrical current through the at least one feedstock and into the support. The controller may subject such feedstock to Joule heating such that at least a portion of such feedstock may deposit adjacent to the support, thereby printing the 3 D object in accordance with the computational representation.

Systems and methods for additive layer manufacturing of metallic components, such as rocket engines and propellant supply systems, are provided. Methods include melting the surface of a work piece to form a weld pool; adding wire to the weld pool and moving a heat source relative to the work piece to progressively form a new layer of metallic material on the work piece; cooling the formed layer; stress relieving (e.g., peening) the cooled layer; applying a secondary operations either sequentially or simultaneously; and repeating the above steps as required to form components layer by layer. Systems and methods of supplying a first propellant to the rocket engine of a launch vehicle are also provided, where the first propellant is supplied through a heat exchanger for generating mechanical energy to pump the first propellant into the rocket engine, and electrical energy to pump a second propellant into the rocket engine.

Systems of chine-backed flame diverter for rocket systems are described. The chine-backed flame diverters can use a lower water supply pressure relative to the rocket exhaust plume impingement pressure. The chine-backed flame diverter systems can reduce operation costs and increase rigidity of the test stand structures.

A valve assembly has a housing and a poppet-carrying portion. The housing includes an inlet port, an outlet port, an opening, and a assembly portion including helical grooves. The poppet-carrying portion is configured to be inserted through the opening and engage with the assembly portion. The poppet-carrying portion comprises a poppet head, a closure including protruding arms, convolutions, and a stopping portion. The convolutions extend between the poppet head and the closure and provide compliance such that the poppet head is movable relative to the closure. The stopping portion extends from the closure toward the poppet head and is spaced apart from the poppet head by a maximum compression distance. At a first fluid pressure, the protruding arms engage with the helical grooves, and the poppet head is positioned in a pre-load position that prevents the fluid from discharging through the outlet port.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for printing a three-dimensional part. The method comprises: receiving in computer memory a digital model of said three-dimensional object; using one or more computer processors to partition said digital model of said three-dimensional part into a plurality of partitions, wherein a given partition of said plurality of partitions comprises a plurality of slices, and wherein a given slice of said plurality of slices comprises a plurality of segments; receiving, from a user, one or more parameters that specify a printing configuration for at least one segment of said plurality of segments; and generating printing instructions based at least in part on said one or more parameters, which printing instructions are usable by a print head to print said three-dimensional object.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for three-dimensional (3D) printing. In an example, a system and method for maintaining a command history in 3D printing software is disclosed. In an example, a method for updating a plurality of printing instructions comprises maintaining a plurality of printing states corresponding to the plurality of printing instructions, wherein a first state corresponds to a first set of printing instructions for printing a first portion of a 3D object. The plurality of printing states may comprise a final state comprising final printing instructions. User instructions may be received to select a second state that is not the final state. A new state may be generated comprising a second set of printing instructions for printing second portion of the 3D object. The plurality of printing instructions may be updated with the second set of printing instructions to yield an updated plurality of printing instructions.

Powder—based additive manufacturing processes for producing integral parts with multiple metallic materials are disclosed. The integral parts are printed as single pieces by joining different metallic materials together during printing. A combination of different powder-based additive manufacturing processes or the same process can be used to produce the integral part.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for three-dimensional (3D) printing. In an example, a system and method for maintaining a command history in 3D printing software is disclosed. In an example, a method for updating a plurality of printing instructions comprises maintaining a plurality of printing states corresponding to the plurality of printing instructions, wherein a first state corresponds to a first set of printing instructions for printing a first portion of a 3D object. The plurality of printing states may comprise a final state comprising final printing instructions. User instructions may be received to select a second state that is not the final state. A new state may be generated comprising a second set of printing instructions for printing second portion of the 3D object. The plurality of printing instructions may be updated with the second set of printing instructions to yield an updated plurality of printing instructions.

The present disclosure provides a system for printing at least a portion of a three-dimensional (3D) object. The system may comprise a source of at least one feedstock, a support for supporting at least a portion of the 3D object, a feeder for directing at least one feedstock from the source towards the support, and a power supply for supplying electrical current. The system may comprise a controller operatively coupled to the power supply. The controller may receive a computational representation of the 3D object. The controller may direct the at least one feedstock through a feeder towards the support and may direct electrical current through the at least one feedstock and into the support. The controller may subject such feedstock to Joule heating such that at least a portion of such feedstock may deposit adjacent to the support, thereby printing the 3D object in accordance with the computational representation.

The present disclosure provides a system for printing a three-dimensional object. The system may comprise a support for holding a portion of the object and a wire(s) source configured to hold a wire(s) of substantially the same or different diameters. The system may also comprise a print head. The print head may comprise a guide for directing the wire to the support. The system may also comprise a driver roller comprising a groove configured to contact a portion of the wire and direct the wire to the guide, and a power source in electrical communication with the wire and the support. The system may also comprise a controller configured to direct the power source to supply electrical current to the wire and the support. The electrical current may be sufficient to melt the wire when the wire is in contact with the support or the portion of the object.