Article manufacturing process
US8165702B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 24, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/24479
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A substrate having a surface representative of the geometric shape of the article is first modeled. Then, a plurality of paths for placing tape strips upon the substrate are serially defined. The first path is defined by first starting coordinates and an initial angle such that it follows a natural path along the surface of the modeled substrate. Subsequent paths are also defined by their respective starting coordinates and initial angles, wherein the starting coordinates are disposed adjacent a adjacent path and the initial angle causes the subsequent path to follow a natural path along the modeled substrate. The starting coordinates are adjusted to minimize a minimum gap between the adjacent paths, and the initial angle is adjusted to minimize an average gap between adjacent paths, all without the paths overlapping. Finally, tape strips are laid upon the substrate according to the defined paths, thereby forming the article.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.