Patent ID: 11865635
Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
Field: Machine tools (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A method of depositing an extrudate onto a substrate, the method comprising steps of:
rotating a stirring tool about an axis of rotation while urging a tool distal end of the stirring tool against the substrate, and wherein the stirring tool defines a bore, extending therethrough;
moving a die adjacent to the stirring tool along a die axis between at least a retracted position and an engaged position, such that the stirring tool rotates relative to the die;
passing a feedstock through the bore toward the tool distal end to form the extrudate;
while rotating the stirring tool and passing the feedstock, moving the stirring tool along the substrate in a first direction that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation to deposit the extrudate;
controlling a geometry of the extrudate using the die by inhibiting radially outward movement of the extrudate, relative to the axis of rotation, in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction and
enabling radially outward movement of the extrudate, relative to the axis of rotation, in a third direction that is parallel to the first direction.