3D printed drift device
A drift device, including a cylindrical main body having a hollow inner cavity, a front portion including a channel configured to receive a bumper, the cross bar including a central indentation, and a rear portion. The rear portion may include a plurality of openings or selectively removable panels. The cylindrical main body, the front portion, and the rear portion are formed together as a single piece.
1 . A drift device, comprising:
a cylindrical main body having a hollow inner cavity;
a front portion including a channel configured to receive a bumper; and
a rear portion,
wherein the cylindrical main body, the front portion, and the rear portion are formed together as a single piece.
2 . The drift device of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical main body, the front portion, and the rear portion are formed together as a single piece by 3D printing.
3 . The drift device of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical main body, the front portion, and the rear portion are formed together as a single piece by a multi-step process including additive manufacturing step followed by a subtractive manufacturing step.
4 . The drift device of claim 1 , wherein the front portion includes at least one opening and a cross bar, wherein the cross bar includes the channel, configured to receive the bumper, and a central indentation.
5 . The drift device of claim 4 , further comprising the bumper in the channel.
6 . The drift device of claim 1 , wherein the front portion includes a central opening and the channel to receive the bumper circumscribes the central opening.
7 . The drift device of claim 1 , wherein the main body has a first diameter, wherein the rear portion is cylindrical and has a second diameter less than the first diameter.
8 . The drift device of claim 1 , wherein the rear portion includes a plurality of openings or selectively removable panels.
9 . The drift device of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of selectively removable panels includes one or more semi-circular panels being removable to permit airflow through the front portion.
10 . The drift device of claim 1 , wherein the rear portion includes holes to receive a rope.
11 . The drift device of claim 1 , wherein the front portion has a beveled outer edge.
12 . The drift device of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical main body includes a wall with a plurality of cavities inside the wall for buoyancy.
13 . The drift device of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of cavities extend around the hollow inner cavity within the wall.
14 . A method of manufacturing a drift device, comprising steps of:
forming an oversized drift device by additive manufacturing, the oversized drift device including a cylindrical main body having a hollow inner cavity, a front portion, and a rear portion, wherein the cylindrical main body, the front portion, and the rear portion are formed together as a single piece;
securing the oversized drift device in a lathe; and
machining an outer surface of the main body of the oversized drift device in the lathe until a desired diameter of the main body is achieved.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of forming the oversized drift device includes forming a plurality of selectively removable panels in the rear portion of the oversized drift device.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising a step of:
removing at least one of the plurality of the selectively removable panels.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of forming the oversized drift device includes forming a channel in a front surface of the front portion.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising a step of securing a bumper in the channel.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of forming the oversized drift device includes forming a plurality of cavities inside a wall of the cylindrical main body for buoyancy.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of cavities extend around the hollow inner cavity within the wall.