Device having a non-planar layer, apparatus for manufacturing a device, and method of manufacturing a device
AssigneeQ5D Technologies Limited
InventorChristopher Thomas ELSWORTHY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices (102) formed using additive manufacturing are disclosed. In one arrangement, a device comprises at least one non-planar layer (104) formed of a plurality of filaments. The device has one or more functional elements (108). Each functional element comprises an electrically conductive element, an optical fibre or a hollow tube. A portion of each functional element is embedded in and geometrically conforms with one of the non-planar layers, or is arranged between and geometrically conforms with two of the non-planar layers.
Claims26
A device comprising:
- at least one non-planar layer formed of a plurality of filaments deposited by an additive manufacturing technique;
- and
- one or more functional elements, each functional element comprising an electrically conductive element, an optical fiber or a hollow tube, and having a portion that is:
- a) embedded in and geometrically conforming with one of the non-planar layers, or b) arranged between and geometrically conforming with two of the non-planar layers.
An apparatus for manufacturing a device, comprising:
- a deposition module configured to progressively deposit filaments to form a structure comprising at least one layer, and to deposit one or more functional elements, each functional element comprising an electrically conductive element, an optical fiber or a hollow tube, so as to be embedded within the layer, or arranged between two layers;
- and
- a spatial manipulation system configured to allow relative movement between a structure being formed and at least a portion of the deposition module, the relative movement including translation relative to three mutually non-parallel translation axes and rotation about two mutually non-parallel rotation axes during either or both of the progressive deposition of material and the deposition of the one or more functional elements.
A method of manufacturing a device, comprising:
- depositing a plurality of filaments to form at least one non-planar layer;
- depositing one or more functional elements, each functional element comprising an electrically conductive element, an optical fiber or a hollow tube, the deposition being such that at least a portion of the functional element is:
- a) embedded in and geometrically conforms with one of the non-planar layers, or b) arranged between and geometrically conforms with two of the non-planar layers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.