Method of constructing a metal mold
AssigneeThermwood Corporation
InventorKenneth J. Susnjara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A part formed by additive manufacturing includes a plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer and the second layer being stacked along a stacking direction, and a work surface formed on an upper surface of the first layer and an upper surface of the second layer. The part also includes a first through-hole formed in the first layer, a second through-hole formed in the second layer, the second through-hole being at least partially aligned with the first through-hole, and a wall extending from the first through-hole to the work surface.
Claims20
A part formed by additive manufacturing, the part comprising:
- a plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer and the second layer being stacked along a stacking direction, wherein the first layer is adjacent to the second layer;
- a work surface including a face configured to define a size and shape of an object to be formed with the work surface, the work surface being formed on an upper surface of the first layer and on an upper surface of the second layer, wherein the work surface is continuous along the upper surface of the first layer and the upper surface of the second layer;
- a first through-hole formed in the first layer;
- a second through-hole formed in the second layer, the second through-hole being at least partially aligned with and in fluid communication with the first through-hole to form a continuous channel when the part is in an assembled configuration;
- and
- a wall extending from the first through-hole to the work surface,
- wherein the first through-hole and the second through-hole together form a portion of the continuous channel, the continuous channel being a fluid channel configured to circulate a coolant.
A part for forming a molded part, the part comprising:
- a plurality of layers, including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer and the second layer being stacked along a stacking direction, wherein the first layer is adjacent to the second layer;
- a mold face configured to define a shape of an object to be formed, the mold face formed on an upper surface of the first layer and an upper surface of the second layer, wherein the mold face is continuous along the upper surface of the first layer and the upper surface of the second layer;
- a first channel formed in the first layer;
- a second channel formed in the second layer, the second channel at least partially aligned with the first channel, the first and second channels together forming a coolant channel;
- a wall extending from the first channel to the mold face;
- and
- a vacuum slot formed between the first layer and the second layer, the vacuum slot extending from the mold face to a vacuum chamber, the vacuum chamber formed in the layers and connected to a vacuum source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.