3d printing systems and methods for fabricating injection molds
AssigneeFATHOM, Inc.
InventorRichard Stump
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Injection molds can be fabricated using 3D printing technology. An inverse computer aided design (“CAD”) file may be generated based upon a visualization file that represents a 3D object. The inverse CAD file can then be altered based upon various parameters associated with the 3D object. One or more injection molds can be fabricated using a 3D printer based on the altered inverse CAD file.
Claims20
A method for creating injection molds, comprising:
- receiving a visualization file representing a 3D object at a computer aided design (“CAD”) device;
- generating, with the CAD device, an inverse CAD file that represents at least one mold for injection molding the 3D object;
- receiving, at the CAD device, a selection of parameters related to the 3D object;
- altering, with the CAD device, the inverse CAD file based on at least one of the selection of parameters;
- and
- fabricating, with a 3D printer, at least a portion of the at least one mold based on the altered inverse CAD file.
The method of claim 10, wherein altering the inverse CAD file comprises:
- determining, based on the selection of parameters, at least one of:
- a number of injection molds needed to mold the 3D object, a location of one or more gates, which materials should be used to fabricate the at least one mold, and which post-processing steps should be applied to each mold of the at least one mold.
The method of claim 13, wherein the nonprinted portion comprises at least one of:
- a mold backbone;
- an epoxy;
- and
- a resin.
A system, comprising:
- a computer aided design (“CAD”) device, comprising:
- a data processor;
- a memory;
- and instructions stored in the memory for:
- receiving a visualization file representing a 3D object;
- generating an inverse CAD file that represents at least one mold for injection molding the 3D object;
- receiving a selection of parameters related to the 3D object;
- and
- altering the inverse CAD file based on at least one of the selection of parameters;
- and
- a 3D printer for:
- fabricating at least a portion of the at least one mold based on the altered inverse CAD file.
An injection mold, comprising:
- a printed portion;
- and
- a nonprinted portion coupled to the printed portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.