Method for fabricating vacuum fixturing using granular media
AssigneeTechnical Tooling L.L.C.
InventorRobert W. Read
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for fabricating vacuum tooling is disclosed using porous granular media. A sheet of steel webbing is affixed to a frame. A plurality of layers of fiberglass is affixed to the webbing. A vacuum port is installed through the webbing and plurality of layers of fiberglass. A granular media is mixed with epoxy to form a granular mixture. The granular mixture is layered over the plurality of layers of fiberglass to form a flat surface and machined for uniformity before sealing.
Claims19
A porous granular material for use in combination with a source of vacuum pressure for vacuum tooling, the porous granular material comprising:
- a binding material;
- and
- an abrasive granular material suspended in the binding material;
- wherein the porous granular material is configured to facilitate passage of a vacuum pressure through the porous granular material;
- and
- wherein the abrasive granular material comprises a hardened thermoset resin.
A porous granular material for use in combination with a source of vacuum pressure for vacuum tooling, the porous granular material comprising:
- a binding material;
- and
- an abrasive granular material suspended in the binding material;
- wherein the abrasvie granular material comprises a hardened thermoset resin, and
- wherein the binding material comprises a liquid resin configured to harden when cast.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.