# US 10,307,958 B2 · Method and system for forming masks > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,307,958 B2 - Document ID: US10307958B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/825,337 - Filed: 2017-11-29 - Published: 2018-03-29 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-13 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Robert Charles Jonietz, Jr.; Thomas Wayne Vandiver - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307958B2 ## CPC - B29C 64/386: Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing - B05B 12/20: Masking elements, i.e. elements defining uncoated areas on an object to be coated - B29C 64/10: Processes of additive manufacturing - B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing - B29K 2101/00: Use of unspecified macromolecular compounds as moulding material {(use of unspecified rubbers B29K2021/00)} - B29L 2031/3076: {Aircrafts (blades, propellers B29L2031/08)} - B29L 2031/768: {Protective equipment (B29L2031/4821 takes precedence)} - B33Y 50/02: for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes - 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 (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) - B33Y: 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 - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract A method and apparatus for protecting a structure. The method comprises identifying an exterior shape of the structure; generating a model of a mask based on the exterior shape of the structure; and forming the mask using a three dimensional printer based on the model. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mask forming system for generating a mask to protect a structure, the mask forming system comprising: a computer system including a computer-aided design software programmed to access a three dimensional model of the structure, the computer-aided design software further programmed to generate a three dimensional model of the mask based on the three dimensional model of the structure, the three dimensional model of the mask comprising: a hollow body configured to surround an exterior shape of the structure; a mask interior cavity defined by the hollow body, the mask interior cavity having dimensions based on a desired clearance between the mask and the structure; a controller communicably coupled to the computer system, the controller programmed to receive the three dimensional model of the mask from the computer system and generate a set of instructions to form the mask based on the three dimensional model of the mask; and a three dimensional printer communicably coupled to the controller, wherein the three dimensional printer receives the set of instructions from the controller and the three dimensional printer executes the instructions to form the mask. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mask forming system of claim 1, wherein the generated three dimensional model further includes an integral base defined at an end of the hollow body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The mask forming system of claim 2, wherein the integral base includes a flange having a J-shape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The mask forming system of claim 3, wherein the flange includes a base surface configured to receive an adhesive placed thereon. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The mask forming system of claim 1, wherein the mask interior cavity is complimentary to an outer surface of an aircraft antenna. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The mask forming system of claim 1, wherein the hollow body is formed by a plurality of layers. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The mask forming system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of layers is formed from one of a metal, a metal alloy, a composite, and a polymeric material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The mask forming system of claim 1, wherein the computer-aided design software is operable to add a handle to the three dimensional model of the mask. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The mask forming system of claim 1, further comprising an inspection equipment that scans the structure and generates an inspection data file. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The mask forming system of claim 9, wherein the three-dimensional model of the structure is based on the inspection data file. ### Claim 11 A mask including an interior surface based off a three dimensional model of a structure the mask is designed to protect, the mask comprising: a hollow body configured to surround an exterior shape of the structure; a mask interior cavity defined by the hollow body, the mask interior cavity having dimensions based on a desired clearance between the mask and the structure; an integral base defined at an end of the hollow body configured to mate with a portion of the structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The mask of claim 11, wherein the integral base includes a flange having a J-shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The mask of claim 12, wherein the flange includes a base surface with an adhesive placed thereon. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The mask of claim 11, wherein the mask interior cavity is complimentary to an outer surface of an aircraft antenna. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The mask of claim 11, wherein the hollow body is formed by a plurality of layers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The mask of claim 15, wherein the plurality of layers is formed from one of a metal, a metal alloy, a composite and a polymeric material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The mask of claim 15, wherein the plurality of layers are formed by an additive manufacturing process.