Method for manufacturing fiber-reinforced parts utilizing stereolithography tooling
AssigneeE-Systems, Inc.
InventorsStan W. Thomas, Roger D. Key, Kyle G. Fluegel, Willie K. Jackson, Keith D. Elwell, Gary L. White
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional fiber-reinforced part utilizing the single-tool method of stereolithography. The tool is fabricated by designing the tool on a computer-aided design system and curing successive layers of a fluid medium via a computer-controlled irradiation source to form the three-dimensional tool. The desired part is generated by applying layers of resin-wetted fabric to the tool, curing the fabric on the tool, removing the tool from the designed part and cleaning, trimming and inspecting the designed part.
Claims10
A method for producing a fiber-reinforced part utilizing stereolithography tooling, comprising the steps of:
- designing a part on a computer-aided design system;
- stereolithographically fabricating a tool from the designed part;
- applying fiber material to the tool;
- curing the fiber material applied to the tool;
- and
- removing the tool for final finishing of the designed part.
The method of claim wherein the step of stereolithographically fabricating a tool from the designed part includes the step of preparing the tool for the application of a fiber material.
A method for producing a fiber-reinforced part utilizing stereolithography tooling, comprising the steps of:
- designing a part on a computer-aided design system;
- creating multiple imaginary cross-sections of the part;
- stereolithographically fabricating a tool from the designed part by passing an irradiation source over a photopolymer responsive upon exposure to said irradiation source by changing from a substantially liquid state to a substantially solid state;
- said photopolymer having the physical characteristic of brittleness when solidified;
- preparing the tool for application of a resin-wetted fiber material;
- applying multiple layers of the resin-wetted fiber material to the tool;
- curing the fiber material applied to the tool;
- and
- removing the tool for final finishing of the designed part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.