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US 6,665,574 B2Granted
Method of forming finished parts utilizing stereolithography technology
AssigneeNorthrop Grumman Corporation
InventorChris E. Farren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is provided a method of forming a tool for performing a desired tooling task upon an unfinished part to form a finished part. The method may comprise the step of creating a computer model of the tool corresponding to the unfinished part. Moreover, the method may further comprise using the computer model to stereolithographically create the tool.
Claims15
A method of forming a tool for performing a desired tooling task upon an unfinished part to form a finished part, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) creating a computer model of the tool simulating a work surface configured to complement the finished part after manufacture of the finished part, the computer model of the tool corresponding to the unfinished part;
- and
- b) using the computer model to stereolithographically create the tool to engage and perform the desired tooling task upon the unfinished part to form the finished part engageable to the work surface without necessitating any substantial post-manufacture operation thereon.
An intermediate assembly for forming a finished part, the assembly comprising:
- an unfinished part;
- and
- a stereolithographically-created tool simulating a geometrical configuration of a work surface configured to complement the finished part after manufacture of the finished part, the geometrical configuration of the tool being sized and configured to receive the unfinished part when being positioned thereto to perform a desired tooling task thereupon to form the finished part engageable to the work surface without necessitating any substantial post-manufacture operation thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.