Method for joining parts fabricated via selective laser sintering while maintaining proper alignment

摘要

Mating air ducts may be joined to each other via an integrally formed protrusion on male air duct and an integrally formed groove on a female air duct for effecting linear and angular alignment of the mating air ducts. The integrally formed protrusion and groove may be formed on the air ducts via a process known as selective laser sintering or stereo lithography. Further, more than one groove and protrusion may be formed on the air ducts in an uneven manner such that the protrusions fit within the grooves in only one angular orientation. The protrusion may be a nub or a thread. Also, the groove may be a channel aligned to a central axis of the female air duct or a helical groove. The male air duct is linearly aligned and/or angularly aligned to the female air duct when the protrusion engages a distal portion of the groove or an abrupt change of the groove.