Metal-stamping die manufactured by additive manufacturing
AssigneeA. Raymond Et Cie
InventorsMichael Richard Danby, Jason F. Reznar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A metal-stamping die or tool is provided. Another aspect uses an additive manufacturing machine and material to create a die. A further aspect provides a method of making a die from an additive manufacturing process and/or using such a die to stamp a metal part, such as a fastener or clip.
Claims33
A method for manufacturing and/or using a metalworking tool, the method comprising:
- (i) depositing a layer of material onto a support surface;
- (ii) depositing subsequent layers of the material upon each prior layer until the metalworking tool is completely created;
- (iii) curing each subsequent layer to the layer of material deposited therebefore so that the layers of the material bond together;
- (iv) creating the metalworking tool to comprise a metal bending face, as part of the depositing steps;
- (v) surrounding at least a majority of the metalworking tool with a gas during the depositing and creating steps;
- and
- (vi) removing the completed metalworking tool from the support surface.
A method for manufacturing and using a tool, the method comprising:
- creating a die with a three-dimensional printing process, the die having a die face corresponding to a surface of a part;
- arranging a blank on the die face;
- and
- bending the blank against the die face.
A method for forming a 3DP die set for stamping a metallic fastener, the method comprising:
- using at least one ink jet printer opening to emit at least one three-dimensionally printable material to create a first die member of the 3DP die set, the first die member defining a first die face;
- and
- using the at least one ink jet printer opening to emit the at least one three-dimensionally printable material to create a second die member of the 3DP die set, the second die member defining a second die face opposingly mating with the first die face.
A metal-stamping device comprising a metal-stamping die including a three-dimensionally printable material.
A metal-stamping apparatus comprising:
- a first die member having a first die face, the first die member additively layered;
- a second die member having a second die face, the second die member additively layered, wherein the first and second die members are additively layered from one of a three-dimensionally printable material, a direct metal laser sintering material, a fused filament fabrication material, a selective laser sintering material, an electron beam melting material, and a direct laser sintering material;
- and
- a press having a first device for securing the first die member and a second device for securing the second die member, wherein the first and second die faces are offset and opposed by the press.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.