Patent · US Expired

Methods of making spray formed rapid tools

US5658506A · kind A · utility

42Cited by
10References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 27, 1995
Grant dateAug 19, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 27, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P10/25
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Method of making a rapid tool, comprising: making a plastic pattern of the tool by free form fabrication techniques following a computer aided design, the design having a base and no undercuts taken in a direction perpendicular to base; constructing a ceramic mold as the inverse of the pattern; separating the pattern from the mold by a separating movement in a direction perpendicular to the base to leave a surface defining a casting cavity within the mold; and thermally spraying tool steel particles against the casting cavity surface is a thickness exceeding 1 inch while rapidly cooling the sprayed particles to effect a net shape tool without the need for further working or heat treatment.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.