Methods and systems for creating structures from cut parts
AssigneeThermwood Corporation
InventorsKenneth J. SUSNJARA, Jody W. WILMES, Lawrence S. EPPLIN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An additive manufacturing method includes receiving an electronic representation of a part with a control system, determining a plurality of layers for the electronic representation of the part, and separating one or more of the layers associated with the electronic representation of the part into a plurality of segments. The additive manufacturing method further includes adding a joint structure to two or more of the segments and generating instructions for controlling a machining apparatus based on the electronic representation of the part, the layers, the segments, and the joint structure.
Claims20
An additive manufacturing method, comprising:
- receiving an electronic representation of a part with a control system;
- determining a plurality of layers for the electronic representation of the part;
- determining an amount of trim stock to add to the electronic representation of the part;
- separating one or more of the layers of the electronic representation of the part into a plurality of segments;
- adding a joint structure to two or more of the segments;
- nesting first and second segments of the plurality of segments of the electronic representation of the part;
- generating instructions for controlling a machining apparatus to remove material based on the electronic representation of the part, the layers, the segments, the joint structure, and the determined amount of trim stock, including instructions for forming an angled cut in at least some segments nested in one or more sheets of material;
- and
- causing, based on the generated instructions, the machining apparatus to remove material from the one or more sheets of material to form the plurality of segments including the angled cuts and joint structures.
(canceled)
An additive manufacturing method performed with a manufacturing system, the method comprising:
- storing an electronic representation of a part in a memory associated with a control system, the control system being configured to control the manufacturing system, including causing the manufacturing system to remove material;
- receiving, a request for coolant channels;
- dividing one or more layers associated with the electronic representation of the part into a plurality of segments based on a response to one or more prompts issued with the control system;
- adding a joint structure to two or more of the segments with the control system;
- and
- removing material from one or more sheets of material with the manufacturing system to form the segments by movement of a tool holder, a gantry, and a tool of the manufacturing system and based on the request for coolant channels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.