US 11,298,740 B2 · Vibration assisted free form fabrication

Abstract

Systems and methods for forming a workpiece are disclosed. The system may include a fixture assembly for receiving a workpiece having opposing first and second surfaces, first and second tools, and a vibration source configured to vibrate the first and/or second tool. The first and second tools may be configured to move along first and second predetermined paths of motion as the first and/or second tool is vibrated by the vibration source and may exert force on the first and second surfaces to form the workpiece. The method may include vibrating a tool using a vibration source and moving the vibrating tool and another tool along first and second forming paths to form the workpiece. The vibration source may be an ultrasonic transducer and may vibrate the tool at a frequency of at least 1 kHz.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of forming a workpiece including opposing first and second surfaces, comprising:

positioning first and second tools;
moving the first tool and the second tool along first and second forming paths along multiple axes such that the first and second tools contact the first and second surfaces to form the workpiece, the first and second forming paths being different and not synchronized;
and
concurrently vibrating the first tool in a first direction using a vibration source and vibrating the second tool in a second direction using a second vibration source without penetrating the first or second surfaces while moving the first and second tool along the different first and second forming paths.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vibration assisted free form fabrication

Life of this patent

Vibration assisted free form fabrication

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20