Method and apparatus for manufacturing an article using a support structure for supporting an article during manufacture therefor
US5362427A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 1993 |
| Grant date | Nov 8, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/49037
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus and method for supporting at least a portion of an article while the article is being formed. A source of self-adhering particles is directed by a particle jetting device, or the like, to a predetermined position in a controlled environment to form the article. A support structure is carried in the controlled environment for substantially rigidly supporting at least a portion of the article during the formation of the article (by build-up of the self-adhering particles). The support structure is a fluid which changes state to a solid responsive to an electrical charge and reverts back to a fluid responsive to removal of the electrical charge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.