High-speed, ultra precision manufacturing station that combines direct metal deposition and EDM
US8629368B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y50/02
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A direct-metal deposition (DMD) processing stage and a 5DOF (degree of freedom) dry micro-EDM (mEDM) stage are integrated to provide the submicron scale resolution necessary for the ultra-precision processing of work pieces. The DMD processing stage includes optical feedback for dimensional control utilizing a high-power, fiber-coupled diode laser with fast response time and small beam parameter product. The electrical discharge machining (EDM) stage is a dry EDM stage using an inert gas with appropriate dielectric properties to perform the surface finishing operations. The system further includes one or more surface treatment operations to obtain a desired level of surface hardness or wear resistance and/or to minimize the distortion induced in treating the surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.