Rapid production of engineering tools and hollow bodies by integration of electroforming and solid freeform fabrication
US6409902B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 6, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 6, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y80/00
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This invention describes a rapid tooling process that integrates solid freeform fabrication (SFF) with electroforming to produce metal tools including molds, dies, and electrical discharge machining (EDM) electrodes. An SFF part is metalized by electroless plating and then placed in an electroplating solution, where metal is deposited upon the part by electrolysis. When the desired thickness of metal has been reached, the SFF part is removed from the metal shell. The shell is then optionally backed with other materials to form a mold cavity, and EDM electrode, or other desired parts for tooling. Thermomechanical modeling and numerical simulation with finite element analysis (FEA) is used to determine the geometry of the SFF part and the electroform thickness for minimizing the manufacturing time and cost while satisfy the tooling requirement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.