Layered deposition bridge tooling
AssigneeStratasys, Inc.
InventorsWilliam R. Priedeman, Jr., Steven Scott Crump
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method for making a prototype plastic injection molded part from a mold tool (10) built by fused deposition modeling. The mold tool (10) is built by depositing roads of a molten thermoplastic resin in layers in a predetermined pattern defined by computer file data representing the inverse of the desired prototype molded part, and is used in an injection molding machine without the addition of any reinforcement fill material or layers to create the prototype part. The disclosed method provides prototype plastic injection molded parts within a twenty-four hour time period.
Claims19
A method for making a prototype plastic injection molded part, comprising the steps of:
- providing computer file data representing a mold tool;
- building the mold tool by depositing roads of a molten thermoplastic resin in layers in a predetermined pattern defined by the computer file data, the mold tool defining a mold cavity;
- and
- using the mold tool in an injection molding machine, without the addition of any reinforcement fill material or layers, to create the prototype part by injection molding of plastic.
A method for making a prototype plastic injection molded part, comprising the steps of:
- providing computer file data representing a mold tool;
- building the mold tool by depositing roads of a molten soluble thermoplastic resin in layers in a predetermined pattern defined by the computer file data;
- using the mold tool in an injection molding machine, without the addition of any reinforcement fill material or layers, to create the prototype partby injection molding of plastic;
- and
- dissolving the mold tool to release the prototype part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.