Direct marking of parts with encoded symbology method, apparatus and symbolody
US6533181B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K1/121
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention describes an automated method for creating impressions of machine-readable encoded symbology using thermojet type solid object printing technology. This is accomplished by electronically transmitting a software file containing a part identification symbol representation in Computer Assisted Drawing (CAD) software format to a ThermoJet™ type solid object printer where tiny droplets of a wax like material are deposited in successive layers to form a three-dimensional pattern insert containing representations of the encoded symbology for combination with a pattern replica of a part to be encoded by said symbology. A casting mold is thereafter formed from the combined pattern and a casting is made from the mold to result in a machine readable 2D Data Matrix type encoded, directly marked, part.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.