3D-printed tooling and methods for producing same
US11155005B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
346References
11Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 2017 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/25
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Techniques for 3-D printing a tooling shell for use in producing panels for a transport structure, such as an automobile, boat, aircraft, or other vehicle, or other mechanical structure, are disclosed. A 3-D printer may be used to produce a tooling shell containing Invar and/or some other material for use in molding the panels. A channel may be formed in a 3-D printed tooling shell for enabling resin infusion, vacuum generation or heat transfer. Alternatively, or in addition to, one or more hollow sections may be formed within the 3-D printed tooling shell for reducing a weight of the shell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.