公开(公告)号：US20180021890A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-25

申请号：US15216973

申请日：2016-07-22

Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.

Inventor： David R. GRIFFITH ,  Nathan J. Parsons ,  Thierry A. MARCHIONE ,  Julian LOWERSON ,  Leon R. ADCOCK ,  Michael H. NOBLE

IPC: B23K31/02 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y10/00

CPC classification number: B23K33/004 ,  B22F3/1055 ,  B22F7/08 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  Y02P10/295

Abstract: A method and system for forming a weld joint using additive manufacturing is disclosed. The method and system involve providing a non-additive manufactured metal structure that includes a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. The method and system further involve increasing an effective sectional area of the first end portion by additive manufacturing a metallic geometric structure substantially permanently on the first end portion of the non-additive manufactured metal structure, without creating any fatigue-sensitive notches. One or more free edges of the additive manufactured metallic geometric structure form a weld interface at which to form the weld joint to fix the non-additive manufactured metal structure to another metal or metallic structure.