This is a fast manufacturing process, an alternative to 3-D printing, for making thin panel parts (perhaps replacements for damaged International Space Station panels, astronaut-suit panels, etc.) by spraying together two laminar-flow (clear liquid sheets without air bubbles) epoxy hardener and resin.
Two computer-controlled pliable nozzles are used, one each for epoxy resin, and hardener. The flexible nozzles are computer controlled to shape the layers of epoxy hardener and resin so that their intersection makes a useful part. The fast-setting epoxy would set up at the intersection of the sprays.
The hoses and nozzles are used in a nominally perpendicular relationship so that the intersection of the two thin sprays of epoxy will form a cross section of a part being manufactured.
I hesitate to submit this because of the concept is "way out there", and the problems to be overcome, including it needing a weightless environment, controlling the shape of the spray, and quick-hardening epoxy, but being that NASA is the only potential user with a zero-gravity work space, I submit it for your consideration.
Please see: https://www.hineslab.com/boat-construction-concept/
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About the Entrant
- Name:Steve Hines
- Type of entry:individual
- Profession:
- Number of times previously entering contest:3
- Steve's favorite design and analysis tools:I like the moment the light bub goes on, when I have that spark of an idea. That's a thrill as an inventor. I also like the wide variety of inventions, and the respect of my piers, whether or not I'm able to license or productize an invention.
- For managing CAD data Steve's company uses:Strata Design 3D CX
- Steve's hobbies and activities:inventing, photography, taking apart cameras.
- Steve belongs to these online communities:CleanTecnica
- Steve is inspired by:I like solving problems. I like the "ah-ha moment" when I come up with an invention.
- Patent status:none
