Reusable mold forming tool
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorDaniel S. Winkler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods, apparatus, and articles for making a plurality of molds described by CAD data in machine readable form using a reusable mold-forming device. Various embodiments include configuring a plurality of adjustable actuators fixed to a base of a mold-forming device, where the top surface of the adjustable actuators takes the form of the mold required to make the part described by the CAD data. The adjustable actuators may then be readjusted to form another mold surface.
Claims22
A method for making a plurality of molds, comprising:
- configuring a plurality of adjustable actuators of a mold-forming device to a first plurality of positions for forming a first mold, using first CAD data of the first mold;
- forming the first mold using the mold-forming device;
- reconfiguring the plurality of adjustable actuators of the mold-forming device to a second plurality of positions for forming a second mold, that is separate and distinct from the first mold, using second CAD data of the second mold;
- and
- forming the second mold using the mold-forming device.
An apparatus for forming a mold comprising:
- a plurality of adjustable actuators each including an upper surface adapted to receive a material to be formed into a mold;
- a base unit supporting the plurality of actuators;
- and
- a module operatively coupled to the plurality of adjustable actuators and adapted to:
- configure the plurality of adjustable actuators to a first plurality of positions for forming a first mold, using first CAD data of the first mold,
- facilitate forming the first mold,
- reconfigure the plurality of adjustable actuators to a second plurality of positions for forming a second mold, that is separate and distinct from the first mold, using second CAD data of the second mold;
- and
- facilitate forming the second mold.
An article of manufacture comprising:
- a storage medium;
- and
- a plurality of programming instructions stored on the storage medium and configured to program a mold-forming device to
- configure a plurality of adjustable actuators of a mold-forming device to a first plurality of positions to form a first mold, using first CAD data of the first mold;
- form the first mold using the mold-forming device;
- reconfigure the plurality of adjustable actuators of the mold-forming device to a second plurality of positions to form a second mold, that is separate and distinct from the first mold, using second CAD data of the second mold;
- and
- form the second mold using the mold-forming device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.