Method and apparatus for producing three-dimensional articles from a computer generated design
OwnerWilliam E. Mastersinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for producing three-dimensional articles from a computer aided design includes one or more mold modules, each containing a pin array containing a plurality of pin elements. The pin elements are moveable in response to a data file containing three-dimensional coordinates of the three-dimensional article to be molded wherein the coordinates have a resolution corresponding to the resolution of the pin elements in the pin array. By moving the pins to the various coordinates of the data set, a mold shape is provided for molding the three-dimensional design.
Claims23
A method of rapidly reproducing a three-dimensional article according to a three-dimensional design generated on a computer aided design (CAD) machine using a data file containing coordinate records of three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to said design of said three-dimensional article generated on said CAD machine, said three-dimensional coordinates having a prescribed coordinates resolution, said method comprising:
- providing a mold for molding said article having a work chamber with a plurality of interface positions at which from one to six mold units having mold unit faces may be interfaced, each said mold unit including an array of pin elements having a pin array resolution corresponding to said coordinate resolution, and said pin elements having terminal ends defining a mold shape;
- selecting the number of mold units interfaced with said work chamber depending on the complexity and shape of the article being molded;
- controlling the position of said pin elements in said mold unit in response to said coordinate records in said data file to position said terminal ends of said pin elements generally at said three-dimensional coordinates to form a mold shape corresponding to said article;
- introducing a material from which said three-dimensional article is formed into said mold, and forming said three-dimensional article in accordance with said mold shape.
An apparatus for rapidly producing an article having a three-dimensional design generated on a computer aided design (CAD) machine comprising:
- a data file containing coordinate records of three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to said design of said three-dimensional article generated on said CAD machine, said three-dimensional coordinates having a prescribed coordinate resolution;
- a mold having at least one mold unit with a plurality of pin elements arranged in a pin array in which terminal ends of said pin elements may be moved to said three-dimensional coordinates;
- a positioning device for moving said pin elements in a linear direction so that terminal ends of said pin elements are located at said coordinates;
- a controller for receiving said data file and operatively connected to said positioning device for controlling said positioning device in response to said coordinate records;
- said pin array having a pin resolution corresponding to said coordinate resolution of said three-dimensional coordinates in said three-dimensional design so that said terminal ends of said pin elements define a mold shape corresponding generally to a surface of said three-dimensional design of said article for accurate molding of said article;
- and
- said pin elements having a hexagonal cross-section defining planar side surfaces, and said pin elements are arranged in said pin array where said planar side surfaces lie flush with one another for relative longitudinal movement and within close tolerances to eliminate interstices between adjacent pin elements so that a generally continuous mold surface is provided by said terminal ends of said pin elements.
An apparatus for rapidly producing an article having a three-dimensional design generated on a computer aided design (CAD) machine comprising:
- a data file containing coordinate records of three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to said design of said three-dimensional article generated on said CAD machine, said three-dimensional coordinates having a prescribed coordinate resolution;
- a mold having a work chamber in which said article is molded having at least three mold interface positions, and said mold including at least three mold units having mold unit faces which interface with said work chamber at said mold interface positions;
- a mold interface formed at the junction of said mold units and said work chamber;
- and said terminal ends of said pin elements lying in a common plane when in a zero position at with said mold interface so that said pin elements move inwardly and outwardly relative to said work chamber to define a mold cavity;
- each of said mold units including a plurality of pin elements arranged in a pin array in which terminal ends of said pin elements may be moved to said three-dimensional coordinates;
- a positioning device for moving said pin elements in a linear direction so that terminal ends of said pin elements are located at said coordinates;
- a controller for receiving said data file and operatively connected to said positioning device for controlling said positioning device in response to said coordinate records;
- said pin array having a pin resolution corresponding to said coordinate resolution of said three-dimensional coordinates in said three-dimensional design so that said terminal ends of said pin elements define said mold cavity is said work chamber in a manner to correspond generally to a surface of said three-dimensional design of said article for accurate molding of said article;
- and
- a port defined in said mold interface for the introduction of molding material to said mold cavity formed in said work chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.