Methods of Creating Soft Formed Hoses and Molds
AssigneeToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
InventorMatthew James Mahaffy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of forming hoses is provided. The method includes generating a virtual design for at least one of a solid durable core and a hollow sacrificial core. At least one of the solid durable core and the hollow sacrificial core is formed using rapid prototyping. A mold cavity is formed using the solid durable core. The hose is formed about the hollow sacrificial core with the hollow sacrificial core in the mold cavity.
Claims20
A method of forming hoses, the method comprising:
- generating a virtual design for at least one of a solid durable core and a hollow sacrificial core;
- forming at least one of the solid durable core and the hollow sacrificial core using rapid prototyping;
- forming a mold cavity using the solid durable core;
- and
- forming the hose about the hollow sacrificial core with the hollow sacrificial core in the mold cavity.
A method of forming a mold for use in forming a hose, the method comprising:
- generating a virtual design for a solid durable core;
- generating a virtual design for a hollow sacrificial core;
- forming at least one of the solid durable core and the hollow sacrificial core using rapid prototyping;
- forming a mold cavity using the solid durable core;
- and
- locating the hollow sacrificial core in the mold cavity.
A method of forming hoses, the method comprising:
- forming a solid durable core and a hollow sacrificial core using rapid prototyping;
- forming a mold cavity using the solid durable core;
- locating the hollow sacrificial core in the mold cavity, the hollow sacrificial core and mold cavity sized to provide a hose forming volume in the mold cavity with the hollow sacrificial core located in the mold cavity;
- and
- providing a hose forming material in the hose forming volume such that the hose forming material surrounds the hollow sacrificial core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.