Discrete assemblers utilizing conventional motion systems
US10155313B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 2016 |
| Grant date | Dec 18, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S901/09
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An alternative to additive manufacturing is disclosed, introducing an end-to-end workflow in which discrete building blocks are reversibly joined to produce assemblies called digital materials. Described is the design of the bulk-material building blocks and the devices that are assembled from them. Detailed is the design and implementation of an automated assembler, which takes advantage of the digital material structure to avoid positioning errors within a large tolerance. To generate assembly sequences, a novel CAD/CAM workflow is described for designing, simulating, and assembling digital materials. The structures assembled using this process have been evaluated, showing that the joints perform well under varying conditions and that the assembled structures are functionally precise.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.