This presentation shows Sherpa Design’s development of a hybrid manufacturing workflow to produce a complex fluid sampling manifold for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The success of the project was driven by material selection, paired with in-house Carbon DLS printing and 5-axis CNC machining.
Carbon’s EPX 150 proved essential for the customer’s deep-sea material requirements, machinability, and budgetary goals.
Through a series of process experiments, Sherpa Design’s multidisciplinary manufacturing team developed a method for fixturing, toolpath strategy, and post-machining the Carbon EPX 150 parts. The resulting workflow met the requirements for tight tolerances and surface finishes necessary for sealing features.
The part is currently undergoing field trials, collecting and analyzing seawater samples.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to sort part features into categories based on required tolerances and CNC tool accessibility.
Up completion, participants will be able to make iterative DFAM changes for post-machining.
