WO1997007474A1 - Rapid prototyping method - Google Patents
Rapid prototyping method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1997007474A1 WO1997007474A1 PCT/US1996/013486 US9613486W WO9707474A1 WO 1997007474 A1 WO1997007474 A1 WO 1997007474A1 US 9613486 W US9613486 W US 9613486W WO 9707474 A1 WO9707474 A1 WO 9707474A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- layers
- construction
- sheets
- layer
- slices
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
- B29C64/10—Processes of additive manufacturing
- B29C64/141—Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials
- B29C64/147—Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using sheet material, e.g. laminated object manufacturing [LOM] or laminating sheet material precut to local cross sections of the 3D object
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
- B29C64/10—Processes of additive manufacturing
- B29C64/141—Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
- B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
- B33Y10/00—Processes of additive manufacturing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
- B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
- B33Y50/00—Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
- B33Y50/02—Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C33/00—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor
- B29C33/12—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor with incorporated means for positioning inserts, e.g. labels
Definitions
- This application includes a computer program listing printout submitted in the form of an appendix.
- This invention relates to prototype modeling techniques.
- RP rapid prototyping
- This invention provides an inexpensive rapid prototyping method which has particular application in the field of education as well as in various industrial fields. Practice of the method is facilitated with a novel system which typically
- the cost of the complete, fully operational system is significantly less than (typically, a small fraction of) the cost of current state-of-the-art RP systems.
- the accuracy of a prototype fabricated using a rudimentary system of this invention is adequate to demonstrate the form of a modeled object. More refined versions may in some instances produce prototypes adequate to meet fit or function requirements. In any case, the system of this invention is affordable for schools and small businesses. It allows the designer to make a physical inspection of a design at a very low cost, typically two or three orders of magnitude below the cost associated with prototyping by currently available RP technologies.
- the system of this invention creates a part from a series of cross sections as do conventional RP systems.
- a fundamental departure from prior systems resides in the layup iterations followed in bonding sequential layers together.
- This invention first creates all of the layers required, and then bonds the layers together, through a separate efficient procedure. This step, and the nature of the construction materials utilized, introduce significant additional flexibility to the final
- the part is first decomposed into thick slices, or layers. These layers can be positioned to eliminate unwanted overhangs prior to cutting the outline of the cross section.
- the system provides added flexibility by permitting the operator to mirror selected thick layers, building any such layer either from the bottom up or the top down. Thus, when making a sphere, the first thick section will be constructed from the top down, thereby providing a large area of contact between the build platform and the part. Subsequent layers are built from bottom to top because they have adequate contact area as so oriented. This mirroring of one of the layers is then corrected for during the subsequent assembly of the thick layers.
- the system operates to arrange thick layers of a single discrete part across a build platform. These layers may then be sliced to the thickness of the construction material. As a consequence, this invention can often create a part that requires many slices from few sheets of construction material. Assuming that a part is sufficiently small that a single sheet of construction material can accommodate 8 thick layers, 64 slices can be registered and bonded in 14 steps instead of 63. (The 8 sheets are registered and bonded, requiring 7 steps. Then the resulting 8 sections are registered and bonded, requiring 7 more steps.)
- a typical rudimentary system of this invention comprises a plotter, a personal computer, a simple registration stand (build table) and the software (ZWSLICE) disclosed in the microfiche appendix.
- ZWSLICE reads three dimensional ("3-D") solid models from commercially available drawing software, and electronically cuts them into paper-thin slices.
- the software-generated slices are converted to physical slices cut out on the plotter.
- the physical slices typically of paper, plastic or other sheet material
- These embodiments may be treated as prototype parts. Alternatively, they may be used as patterns for constructing molds or shells from which to cast parts from metal or other rigid material.
- the invention may be embodied as an inexpensive rapid prototyping device that creates physical models from 3D electronic computer-aided design ("CAD") models. It performs this function by generating a series of cross sections, slicing the part into many layers. Each cross section is cut from sheet construction material (usually paper) using a commercial sign making plotter. The cross sections are registered and laminated together forming the physical model.
- CAD computer-aided design
- a primary advantage of the system of this invention is that the initial cost of the requisite hardware and software, as well as the cost of producing a typical part are 10 times to 20 times less expensive than existing rapid prototyping techniques. Assuming that the user already owns a computer and CAD software, the additional hardware and software required to complete the system may have a retail price on the order of a typical personal computer assembly.
- Individual sheets of construction material may include a construction layer and a backing layer fixed to the construction layer with adhesive material.
- Individual physical slices may then be cut from the construction layer, leaving the backing layer in tact.
- Individual pluralities of the physical slices may then be distributed in corresponding patterns among an ordered set of construction sheets.
- the plotting step may include locating index positions on the sheets of construction material, and the cutting step may include the placement of registration holes at the index positions through the construction sheets.
- the holes facilitate the precise registration of respective pluralities of the physical slices carried by individual construction sheets within the set when all of the construction sheets are stacked in the order of the set with registration pins inserted through the registration holes.
- the registration holes may also be located to facilitate the precise registration of constructed layers when they are stacked to recompose the object.
- Building speed is dependent upon a number of factors, including part dimensions, layer thickness, and operator skill. Typical building speeds range from about 0.2 to about 3.1 hours per vertical centimeter (one-half to about 8 hours per vertical inch). Because models can be constructed of readily available paper materials, construction costs are trivial compared to other RP systems.
- FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a typical embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation in two parts; FIG. 2a illustrating an STL representation of a solid model, and FIG. 2b illustrating that model sliced in the x, the y, and the z directions;
- FIG. 3 is a sketch of a plot file illustrating the layout of slices of the part of FIG. 2 and registration holes on one sheet of construction material;
- FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a registration table of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a view in elevation of the registration table of FIG. 4 illustrating a stacked arrangement of the slices from a plurality of sheets of the type illustrated by FIG. 3;
- FIG. 6 is a two-part view in cross section; FIG. 6a illustrating unsupported overhangs which may occur, and FIG. 6b illustrating a solution to this problem through hierarchical model decomposition;
- FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of typical prototype parts which may be constructed by the system of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a two-part drawing of which 8a illustrates the layup of a pattern useful for sand casting; and FIG. 8b illustrates the cope and the drag elements of a mold;
- FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an investment casting procedure utilizing prototypes constructed in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a lost foam casting utilization of a foam model produced in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 11 is a two-part drawing of which FIG. 11a illustrates an actual part, while FIG 11b illustrates a layered paper mold designed for that part;
- FIG. 12 includes FIG. 12a and FIG. 12b, which are plan and elevation views, respectively, of a registration platform of the invention and FIG 12c, which is a plan view of a typical sheet of construction paper;
- FIG. 13 includes FIG. 13a and FIG. 13b, which are similar to FIGS. 12a and 12b, and illustrates the manner in which a sheet such as that illustrated by FIG. 12c may be positioned on a registration table of the invention;
- FIG. 14 includes FIGS. 14a and 14b, which are similar to FIGS. 13a and 13b, respectively, and illustrate a selected registration hole placement;
- FIG. 15 includes FIGS. 15a and 15b, which are similar to FIGS. 14a and 14b, respectively, and illustrate an alternative registration hole placement;
- FIG. 16 includes FIGS. 16a and 16b, which are similar to FIGS. 14a and 14b, respectively, and illustrate a partially constructed model
- FIG. 17 includes FIGS. 17a and 17b, which are similar to FIGS. 16a and
- FIG. 1 outlines the operation of a typical embodiment of the invention.
- a commercial CAD system designated generally 30, is configured to provide an input file in conventional STL file format.
- Software such as that disclosed in the microfiche appendix, designated generally 32, operates on the Stereolithography (“STL") file to create a Hewlett Packard Graphics Language (“HPGL”) plot file and to print out all of the pages.
- STL Stereolithography
- HPGL Hewlett Packard Graphics Language
- the pages (sheets) are registered in proper sequence, and are bonded and coated to create a physical object (model or pattern) in a post process, designated generally 34.
- FIG. 2a shows an example of an STL representation of a solid model of an ignition key part 33 (FIG. 7).
- the software 32 can read and display an STL file generated by any CAD program.
- the operator can change the orientation of a part by rotating it.
- the software 32 gives the maximum dimensions of the input part in the x, y, and z directions so that the operator can choose the best direction for slicing the part.
- each cross section is displayed on the screen so that the operator can verify that the axis of slicing minimizes the number of layers 36 and maximizes accuracy.
- FIG. 2b shows the part illustrated by FIG. 2a sliced in the x, the y, and the z directions. The slicing orientation resulting in the lowest number of layers 36 is usually preferred.
- the software 32 (FIG. 1) automatically calculates and lays out the maximum number of layers 36 that can be represented on one construction sheet 38.
- the thick layers 36 are sliced into parallel thin slices 39 (the thickness of the construction sheet material) arranged on the sheet 38 beginning from the bottom to the top and then from the left to the right, until the entire sheet 38 is filled.
- Each sheet 38 of cross section slices 39 is sorted and converted to HPGL plot file format (32, FIG. 1), which is output to a sign making plotter (40, FIG. 1).
- the plotter cuts slices 39 of the part, and automatically adds registration holes 42 (FIG. 3) on each sheet.
- Each sheet 38 illustrated by FIG. 3 consists of two layers ⁇ a paper 43 held by adhesive 44 to a backing layer 46. Preferably, only the paper 43 is cut to produce a slice 39, leaving the backing 46 in tact. However, registration holes 42 are cut completely through the sheet 38.
- the operator has the option of choosing from several construction materials. The most common are readily available label paper and foam sheet materials.
- Stacking of the sheets 38 organizes the slices 39 carried by respective stacked sheets into reassembled layers, generally 36 (FIG 5).
- the sheets are usually stacked with the backing layer 46 up.
- the backing layer 46 is peeled off (and excess construction layer 43 removed), leaving residual adhesive 44 on the upper surface of the registered slices 39.
- the slices carried by the next sheet 38 that is stacked are thus glued firmly to the previously stacked slices 39 in proper arrangement.
- the whole decomposed object is first recomposed into its component thick layers 36 (FIG. 5). These thick layers 36 may be separated and stacked, being positioned by a second set of registration holes 58 (FIG. 3) created by the software 32 to complete the construction of the solid object.
- the modeled (recomposed) parts are given a coating to increase their rigidity, to prevent layer delamination, and to cover areas where the adhesive 44 is exposed.
- This coating may comprise paint, acrylic coating or glue, and is typically applied by spraying techniques or by dipping the recomposed part in a coating material.
- a notable characteristic of the present invention is the opportunity it provides to evaluate the geometry of the part (See FIG. 7) being built and to decompose the part into a convenient number of thick layers 36, each capable of further slicing into a plurality of thin slices 39.
- a maximum number of slices 39 may be laid out on one sheet 38, as shown in FIG. 3.
- the part being built is small enough for eight layers 36 of slices 39, having the maximum dimensions of the part, to fit on a single sheet 38.
- This "hierarchical model decomposition" approach allows eight layers to be stacked simultaneously, greatly reducing build time. Another advantage of hierarchical model
- decomposition is its inherently efficient utilization of construction material. For example, if the part in FIG. 3 requires 70 slices 39 to build, but eight slices 39 fit on a single sheet 38, only nine sheets 38 are required, rather than the conventional 70 sheets. The nine sheets 38 may be stacked first, resulting in eight layers 36. The eight layers 36 may then be stacked in order. That procedure requires a total of 15 stacking iterations, rather than the 70 iterations which would otherwise be required. As the part is stacked, there are potentially unsupported overhangs, generally 60, as shown in FIG. 6a. If the overhang is large, and many layers are stacked on top of it, the inherent cantilever effect tends to bend the part at the overhang, as indicated in phantom 62. This problem is solved with hierarchical model decomposition, whereby a parting line 64 can be defined by the operator right at the overhang as illustrated in FIG. 6b.
- FIG. 6a Often layers built from the bottom up, such as shown by FIG. 6a, develop overhangs 60. It is often preferable for such parts to be built upside down, as shown by FIG. 6b. Sometimes, it is preferable for only certain sections of a part to be built upside down, and others to be built right side up. These arrangements can be accomplished if the part, or a section of the part, is mirrored, so that the top faces down, and the parts are stacked with the top going down first, and the bottom going down last, as shown in FIG. 6b. This construction approach eliminates overhang and improves the stability of the part during construction. It is generally preferable for layers 36 to be organized such that smaller slices 39 are stacked on top of larger slices 39 during the layup procedure.
- the screw driver handle 70 shown in FIG. 7 was drawn in Silverscreen, a 3- D modeling software. This example demonstrates the advantages of hierarchical model decomposition and mirroring, both of which are provided by the software 32.
- the part 70 was made from paper construction material, utilizing 207 slices.
- any outside slice of the part 70 will inherently have very little surface area.
- the software 32 mirrored the initial outer section.
- the thicker slices could then be layed up first.
- the mirroring action required the software 32 to reverse the location of the registration holes 58 created by the software. Hence, the mirroring was automatically corrected when the thick layers 36 were subsequently assembled.
- the total build time for this part was about 3 hours.
- the ignition key 33 also shown in FIG. 7, was drawn in Pro/ENGLNEER.
- This example demonstrates the advantage of being able to define parting line(s) while decomposing the model. It also utilized hierarchical model decomposition. The need for building support blocks was eliminated by defining a parting line through the center of the overhanging portion of the key. This parting line avoided overhanging portions.
- the whole model was decomposed into 61 slices 39 organized into six thick layers 36. The total build time for this part was about 2 hours. III. Calculator
- This part (72, FIG. 7) was drawn in Pro/ENGINEER.
- the part was decomposed into 61 slices organized into 6 thick layers which were built simultaneously. Construction of this part presented a particular problem when registering the keyboard keys 73.
- the slices containing the key cross sections were stacked on top of the base slices. This arrangement caused the base which had its sticky side up and extra material around the keys to stick together. This problem was solved by either covering the exposed area on the base layer with a non stick surface or by peeling the unwanted material from each of the layers containing the key cross sections before bonding.
- the total build time for this part was about 3 hours. lt is often desirable to create a prototype that has significant physical properties not provided by the construction materials used to fashion patterns in accordance with FIG. 1.
- FIGs 8a and 8b illustrate the manner in which the desired model is built from the CAD drawing 30 in two halves with each half 74 separated by a parting line 76 which is defined by the designer. As illustrated by FIG. 8a, two holes 80 are created on each of these pieces for registration. These parts are then coated with a suitable material to prevent contact between the adhesive surface of the part and the sand. Each half is then registered and bonded to the base 82 of the cope and the drag using two removable pins (not shown) provided on the base of each half through the holes 80.
- the standard sand casting procedure can then be followed by ramming sand in the cope and the drag with the runners and the pattern in place. After the ramming, the pattern can be removed from each of the two halves resulting in the required sand cavity. The cope and the drag can then be assembled and casts can be made. V. Investment casting
- Investment casting is usually used to create metal parts from prototypes made out of foam or wax. This process can be implemented on foam models constructed by the software 32 of this invention. As shown by FIG. 9, the desired part is prototyped from a CAD model using layers of foam. The prototype is then directly dipped into a slurry of refractory material until a thick ceramic coating is obtained. This mold is then heated, first in an inverted position at a temperature of 93°C to 191 ° (200°F to 375 °F) for about 12 hours, and then in the upright position at a temperature of 649°C to 1038°C (1200°F to 1900°F) to completely melt away the foam prototype and create a hollow ceramic shell. Molten metal can then be poured into the hollow portion to obtain the finished casting.
- Lost foam casting can be applied to obtain metal parts from models created by this invention as illustrated by FIG. 10.
- the desired prototype is first drawn in a CAD software.
- a sprue and a vent are then added to the model within the CAD software.
- the software 32 can then be utilized by an operator to build a foam model 84 from this drawing.
- This foam part is then placed in a flask 85 and covered with sand 86.
- Molten metal poured into the sprue 87 instantaneously evaporates the foam resulting in the metal filling the volume previously occupied by the foam. VII. Paper molds for plastic parts
- Prototype paper molds for parts drawn on the computer can be used to make parts from any room temperature molding material as shown by FIG. 11.
- a mold 92 may be designed using Pro/Mold design, a module of Pro/ENGINEER.
- the mold 92 may be made up of two halves with a parting surface 94 that is defined by the designer. Two registration holes 96 are also created on each of these halves.
- the two pieces are built using procedures illustrated by FIG. 1 and the software of the microfiche appendix. They are then coated with a suitable material to prevent adhesion between the paper and the molding material.
- the two halves are then mounted on respective base pieces 98 for increased rigidity using the two removable pins provided on each of these base pieces and the holes created in the CAD system for accurate registration.
- the two pieces are then registered and put together, and can be used to create parts by room temperature molding.
- FIGS. 12-17 illustrate the operation of a system of this invention which consists of commercially available and custom elements arranged to provide a variety of functions.
- the elements of the system are as follows: 3D CAD Software:
- the system is compatible with any CAD software that is capable of generating a 3D model and converting it to standard Stereolithography format.
- CADKEY CADKEY
- Autocad CADKEY
- Pro-Engineer CADKEY
- SilverScreen CADKEY
- a suitable such device is the PNC-9000 made by Roland Digital.
- Other HPGL plotters with cutting capabilities are also considered to be suitable.
- the system works with adhesive backed sheets of material up to 1 mm in thickness.
- the material must be compatible with the cutting blade supplied by the plotter.
- suitable materials are standard label paper available in 21.6 centimeters by 27.94 centimeters (8 1/2" by 11 ") by
- Preferred building technique requires that the first layer of the part be sticky on both sides. This requirement is satisfied by coating the top of the first layer with a commercial spray adhesive.
- ZWSLICE software This software is used to generate cross sections from the model, create plot files, and organize the cutting and assembly process.
- ZWSLICE provides the following capabilities:
- the registration system generally 100, shown in FIG. 12 allows a variety of registration options:
- FIG. 13 illustrates an arrangement in which one or more holes 42 placed outside the part 106 can be used with guide pins 52 to register sequential sheets 38.
- FIG. 15 illustrates the manner in which cross section slice 39 alignment can be assured for parts having appropriate geometry by generating two registration holes 108 passing completely through each part. Sequential layers are guided by registration pins 110 extending from a pin plate 112 mounted in a recess in the platform 114, as shown.
- the parts After construction, the parts are given a coating to increase the rigidity of the parts, prevent layer delamination, and cover areas where the adhesive is exposed. Carpenter's glue thinned with tap water is useful for this purpose.
- the operator begins with a 3D model generated with a 3D CAD software.
- the file is stored in Stereolithography format.
- the file is loaded and viewed.
- the operator is prompted to select a slice orientation, and subsequently the part is displayed, sliced in this orientation, to verify the operator's selection. Changes are allowed at any time.
- the program evaluates the build area required for the part and then determines how many of these areas can be fit onto a single sheet (or page) of construction material.
- the part is then automatically sliced into thick sections that occupy the maximum practical portion of surface area of the construction material. These thick sections are subsequently sliced into layers matching the construction material thickness, and a plot file is generated for each sheet of material required.
- Registration holes are automatically added to the plot file for sheet to sheet registration and for section to section (layer 36) registration.
- Each part cross section (slice 39) generated can be displayed to verify the intended result.
- the plot file (See FIG. 3) for each sheet of construction material can also be displayed.
- construction sheets can be cut.
- ZWSLICE prompts the operator in the operation of the plotter to generate all or any one of the construction sheets.
- the plotter cutting pen is adjusted so that a single pass of the cutter cuts through the
- Registration holes 42, 58, 108 are cut completely through the backing material; e.g. by effecting multiple passes of the cutter.
- the part is assembled on the build table by sequentially registering and bonding the layers.
- Each sheet 38 contains two registration holes 42 corresponding to the two permanent registration pins 42 on the build table 100.
- the first layer and the last layer may also contain registration holes 58, 108 for each section 36 of parts that have been decomposed into sections.
- the build process proceeds as shown by FIG. 16.
- the top of the first sheet is coated with spray adhesive, and the excess construction material is peeled from the backing sheet leaving only the part cross sections 120.
- This sheet is placed face up on the registration table 100 by carefully passing the registration pins 52 through the registration holes 42.
- the second layer 122 is placed on the registration table face down by passing the registration pins 52 through the registration holes 42.
- the second sheet 122 is pressed firmly against the first sheet 120 to insure that the adhesive bonds the two layers together.
- the backing layer of the second sheet 122 is carefully removed, leaving the second layer cross section on the registration table, bonded to the first layer cross section.
- the second layer 122 is now positioned adhesive side up ready to bond to the next layer 124. (It is sometimes advisable to remove the excess construction material from the second sheet before registering and bonding this sheet. This prevents adhesive from the first layer which may overlap the excess material on the second sheet from bonding to that material.)
- Parts that cover only a portion of the construction sheet can be sliced into thick sections 36 and assembled in a two step process.
- the first step proceeds as described in connection with FIG. 16, resulting in a construction sheet with several sections 125-128 adhered to its surface, as shown in FIG. 17.
- the second step of the assembly process proceeds as follows: When the last layer is applied, the backing material is not immediately removed. Because the part is being built in sections, it is important to note the orientation and order of the layers.
- ZWSLICE will display a building page that numbers the sections in order of lamination. These numbers may be marked on the upper surface backing material before the sheet holding the sections is removed from the registration table.
- the entire assembly, containing an upper sheet, part sections, and a lower sheet is removed from the registration table 100.
- the sections 125-128 are cut apart, retaining the proper registration holes with each section.
- two registration pins 130 are threaded into the metal plate 112 in the center of the registration table.
- the spacing between the pins 130 should match that between the registration holes 132 on the sections 125-128.
- section 125 The portion of the backing sheet that does not contain registration holes is peeled away from section 125. This section is placed on the registration table by passing the registration pins 52 through the registration holes 132. This section is positioned backing side down.
- section 126 The backing sheet portion that does not contain registration holes is peeled away from section 126.
- This section is positioned on the registration table 100 by passing the registration pins 52 through the registration holes 132. This section is positioned backing side up.
- Section 126 should now be bonded to section 125. Sections 127, 128 and any subsequent sections are assembled just as section 126 was assembled.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP96930555A EP0846303A4 (en) | 1995-08-21 | 1996-08-21 | Improved rapid prototyping method |
JP9509565A JPH11514304A (en) | 1995-08-21 | 1996-08-21 | High-speed prototype creation method |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US517,092 | 1983-07-25 | ||
US08/517,092 US5663883A (en) | 1995-08-21 | 1995-08-21 | Rapid prototyping method |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1997007474A1 true WO1997007474A1 (en) | 1997-02-27 |
WO1997007474A9 WO1997007474A9 (en) | 1997-05-01 |
Family
ID=24058323
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1996/013486 WO1997007474A1 (en) | 1995-08-21 | 1996-08-21 | Rapid prototyping method |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5663883A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0846303A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH11514304A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2229531A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1997007474A1 (en) |
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- 1996-08-21 EP EP96930555A patent/EP0846303A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1996-08-21 WO PCT/US1996/013486 patent/WO1997007474A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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- 1996-08-21 JP JP9509565A patent/JPH11514304A/en active Pending
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2229531A1 (en) | 1997-02-27 |
EP0846303A4 (en) | 1998-12-23 |
EP0846303A1 (en) | 1998-06-10 |
US5663883A (en) | 1997-09-02 |
JPH11514304A (en) | 1999-12-07 |
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