Method of manufacturing an item and apparatus for manufacturing an item
OwnerJonathan Hayesinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing an item comprises the steps of: controlling a printer means to print a layer of retaining material in a predetermined pattern onto a substrate; applying a manufacturing material to be retained by the retaining material in substantially the predetermined pattern; treating the manufacturing material so that it forms a continuous solid piece in substantially the predetermined shape of the pattern, or, where the pattern is made up of distinct parts, in substantially the predetermined shape of each distinct part of the pattern.
Claims60
A method of manufacturing an item comprising the steps of:
- controlling a printer (2) to print a layer (9) of retaining material in a predetermined pattern onto a substrate (10) which has registration aids for allowing mechanical indexing apparatus (66) to align the substrates (10) in the X and Y directions;
- applying a powder manufacturing material to be retained by the retaining material in substantially the predetermined pattern;
- treating the manufacturing material so that it forms a continuous solid piece (7) in substantially the predetermined shape of the pattern, or, where the pattern is made up of distinct parts, in substantially the predetermined shape of each distinct part of the pattern;
- and
- the assembly comprising the solid piece (7) or pieces and the substrate (10) on which it or they is or are formed being used again as the substrate in a subsequent use of the method;
- or the solid piece (7) or pieces being separated from the substrate (10).
Apparatus for manufacturing an item, the apparatus including:
- a printer (2) for printing a layer (9) of retaining material in a predetermined pattern;
- means (62) for applying a manufacturing material to be retained by the retaining material in substantially the predetermined pattern;
- and
- means (36) for treating the manufacturing material so that it forms a continuous solid piece (7) in substantially the predetermined shape of the pattern, or, where the pattern is made up of distinct parts, in substantially the predetermined shape of each distinct part of the pattern;
- wherein
- the means (62) for applying the manufacturing material is arranged to apply a powder material;
- characterized in that
- the printer (2) is arranged to print a layer (9) of retaining material on a substrate (10) which has X and Y direction registration aids and a mechanical indexing apparatus (66) is provided for aligning the substrates (10) in the X and Y direction;
- and
- means for using again as the substrate the assembly comprising the solid piece or pieces and the substrate on which it or they is or are formed;
- or means (51) for removing the solid piece or pieces from the substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.