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US 12,427,699 B2Granted
Methods and systems for support structures in cut parts
AssigneeThermwood Corporation
InventorKenneth J. Susnjara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a part includes removing material with a cutting machine to form a plurality of segments, at least two of the segments including an anchoring structure, connecting two or more segments to form a first layer, and connecting two or more additional segments to form a second layer. The method also includes connecting the first layer to the second layer and connecting a support structure directly to two of the anchoring structures.
Claims20
An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
- a cutting machine, the cutting machine including a surface that is configured to receive a sheet of material;
- and
- a controller configurable to cause the cutting machine to:
- remove material from the sheet to form a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments including:
- at least two of the segments that each include an anchoring structure protruding from an inner wall, the at least two segments, when connected to each other with a support structure that extends from a first anchoring structure to a second anchoring structure, forming a first layer, and
- at least two additional segments that, when connected to each other, form a second layer of a plurality of layers.
3 more elements
An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
- a cutting machine, the cutting machine including:
- a surface that is configured to receive a sheet of material;
- and
- a cutting tool configured to remove material from the sheet when the sheet is supported on the surface;
- a controller coupled to the cutting machine, the controller configurable to electronically communicate with the cutting machine to cause the cutting machine to:
- form at least a portion of a part having a hollow interior, the part comprising:
- a first segment forming a portion of a first layer;
- a second segment forming a portion of the first layer, the second segment forming a joint with the first segment;
- a third segment forming a portion of a second layer;
- and
- anchoring structures, including at least one anchoring structure formed on at least one of the first segment, the second segment, or the third segment, wherein the at least one anchoring structure protrudes toward the hollow interior, and wherein a support structure, when connected to the anchoring structures, connects the first segment to the third segment.
8 more elements
An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
- a cutting machine;
- a controller coupled to the cutting machine, the controller being configurable to:
- receive an electronic representation of a part, the part having a plurality of layers;
- determine that anchoring structures will be formed in the part;
- identify one or more layers of the part that will include the anchoring structures;
- determine locations for the anchoring structures within a layer, wherein the anchoring structures include protrusions that extend towards an interior of the layer and that are located within the layer;
- determine a location for a support structure within the layer, wherein the support structure is configured to be connected to the anchoring structures with the anchoring structures being spaced apart by the support structure;
- and
- generate instructions for forming, with the cutting machine, the layer that includes the anchoring structures for receiving the support structure.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.