Blind fastener placement in metal parts

Abstract

Methods and systems for the manufacture of metal parts for the placement of blind fasteners. Embodiments include a metal part that comprises at least one of a receptacle or a fastener on at least one surface of the metal part. Some embodiments include forming the metal part via an additive manufacturing process. The metal part may be formed by stacking a plurality of patterned metal sheets and bonding the patterned metal sheets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A metal part formed via an additive manufacturing process, the metal part comprising at least one of a receptacle or a fastener on at least one surface of the metal part. 
     
     
         2 . The metal part of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle or fastener is configured to be secured with access to the surface of the metal part without needing access to an opposite surface of the metal part. 
     
     
         3 . The metal part of  claim 1  wherein the additive manufacturing process comprises a laminated object manufacturing process. 
     
     
         4 . The metal part of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle or fastener is configured to interface with a different surface of the metal part. 
     
     
         5 . The metal part of  claim 1  wherein the metal part comprises a receptacle and a fastener configured to interface with each other. 
     
     
         6 . The metal part of  claim 1  wherein the metal part is formed from a plurality of patterned metal sheets. 
     
     
         7 . The metal part of  claim 1  wherein at least one dimension of the receptacle or fastener is determined based on at least one dimension of a corresponding receptacle or fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The metal part of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle or fastener is configured to interface with an anchor for mounting a fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The metal part of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle or fastener comprises a plumbed fastener for receiving fluid into the part. 
     
     
         10 . The metal part of  claim 1  wherein the plumbed fastener is sealed against the part using at least one of a gasket, o-ring, or software metal ring. 
     
     
         11 . A metal part formed via an additive manufacturing process, the process comprising:
 stacking a plurality of patterned metal sheets; and   bonding the patterned metal sheets for forming the metal part, the metal part comprising at least one receptacle on at least one surface of the metal part.   
     
     
         12 . The metal part of  claim 11  wherein the receptacle is configured to be secured with access to the surface of the metal part without needing access to the opposite surface of the metal part. 
     
     
         13 . The metal part of  claim 11  wherein the receptacle comprises an external hole and a void within the metal part, the external hole having a cross-sectional area distinct from a cross-sectional area of the void. 
     
     
         14 . The metal part of  claim 11  wherein at least one dimension of the receptacle is determined based on at least one feature of a corresponding fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The metal part of  claim 14  wherein the dimension comprises a depth that is at least the insertable length of the corresponding fastener. 
     
     
         16 . The metal part of  claim 11  wherein the receptacle is configured to receive a deformable pin or tube, the pin or tube configured to deform under an overhang region within the receptacle. 
     
     
         17 . A method for forming a metal part via additive manufacturing, the method comprising:
 stacking a plurality of patterned metal sheets; and   bonding the patterned metal sheets for forming the metal part, the metal part comprising at least one of a receptacle or a fastener on at least one surface of the metal part.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the receptacle or fastener is configured to be secured with access to the surface of the metal part without needing access to an opposite surface of the metal part. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the receptacle or fastener is configured to interface with a different surface of the metal part. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 joining the metal part with an additional metal part using the receptacle or fastener; and 
 sealing the receptacle or fastener between the metal part and the additional metal part.