Three-dimensional model-making system
AssigneeTrustees of Dartmouth College
InventorRobert B. Jerard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A three-dimensional model-making system that employs a cutting wire under tension and acting in a reciprocating mode to shape an easily-machinable material. The machine has three servo-driven axes including an x and y axis and a rotational axis.
Claims29
A three-dimensional model-making machine to form a model of predetermined shape from an easily machinable material, that comprises:
- a wire under tension;
- means for effecting translational positional changes in the wire in the x and y directions;
- means to receive said easily machinable material and operable to effect rotary indexing positional orientation of the material;
- and means to effect reciprocating motion of the wire perpendicular to the x and y directions to cut the material, the translational movement of the reciprocating wire coupled with the indexing serving to contour the easily-machinable material to form a complex three-dimensional shape.
A three-dimensional model-making machine as claimed in claim 5 having reversing means coupled to the wire to apply the reciprocating motion to the wire at said very flexible portion to effect cutting action.
A three-dimensional model-making machine to form a model of predetermined shape from a material, that comprises:
- a small-diameter wire under tension, said wire comprising a brittle cutting portion and a very flexible portion;
- means for effecting translational positional changes of the wire in the x and y directions;
- means to effect about one-half to one inch reciprocating motion to said cutting portion in the z direction;
- and means to receive said material and operable to effect rotary, indexing positional orientation of the material about the x-axis.
A three-dimensional compact model-making machine to form an object of predetermined shape from a material, that comprises:
- a cutting mechanisms that includes a small-diameter wire under tension comprising a brittle cutting portion and a flexible portion, and means to effect reciprocating motion of the brittle cutting portion by forces applied at said flexible portion to achieve long life, the cutting mechanism having sufficiently low intertia to permit rapid translational position changes thereof;
- means for effecting translational positional changes in the wire along two orthogonal linear axes to form said object by cutting action of the reciprocating cutting portion;
- and means to receive said material and operable to effect rotary positional indexing orientation of the material about a rotational axis that is parallel to one of the two linear axes to form a three-dimensional object of said predetermined shape by said cutting action.
A three-dimensional model-making machine to form an object from a workpiece, which machine has three axes of motion that include two orthogonal linear axes and a rotational axis that corresponds in direction to one of the linear axes, that comprises:
- a cutting mechanism comprising a small-diameter wire having a brittle cutting portion and a flexible portion and means to effect reciprocating motion to the brittle cutting portion in a direction having a component orthogonal to the linear axes to cut into the workpiece as the brittle cutting portion is moved translationally along said two linear axes, said cutting portion having low inertia to permit rapid direction changes as the wire is moved translationally relative to the workpiece, forces to effect reciprocating motion being applied to the wire at the flexible portion to achieve, in combination with the brittle cutting portion, long life;
- means for moving the cutting portion along said two linear axes;
- and
- means to receive the workpiece and to provide indexing about the rotational axis to permit cutting to be achieved to provide a three-dimensional model.
A three-dimensional model-making machine for forming a model of predetermined shape from a machinable material, comprising:
- (a) means for clamping the machinable material in a stationary position in relation to x and y directions;
- (b) means operatively connected to said clamping means to effect rotary indexing positional orientation of said material and enable said material to move rotationally about its longitudinal axis;
- (c) a wire under tension;
- (d) means for reciprocating the wire in cutting engagement with said material;
- and
- (e) means for moving the wire in x and y directions to effect shaping of the material when said wire engages said material.
A method of forming a three dimensional model of predetermined shape from a machinable material with a cutting wire under tension, comprising the steps of:
- (a) mounting said material for selective rotational indexing movement about its longitudinal axis during cutting engagement with said wire;
- (b) reciprocating the wire to effect cutting engagement with said material;
- and
- (c) guiding the wire in cutting engagement with the material in selectively x and y directions to effect shaping of said material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.