System and method for extruding parts having microstructures
US9120670B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 2012 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/756
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing extruded parts having microstructures comprising: a support structure; a hopper carried by the support structure for receiving feedstock; an extrusion chamber operatively associated with the hopper for receiving the feedstock from the hopper and melting the feedstock above a feedstock melting temperature; a die carried by the support structure having die microstructures disposed on an inner surface of the die, the die microstructures having a plurality of microfeatures each having an upper surface and a lower surface, the melted feedstock being forced through the die to produce an extrudate having extrudate microstructures; and, a cooling assembly wherein the extrudate microstructures of the pre-cooled extrudate have larger physical dimensions than that of the extrudate microstructures of the cooled extrudate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.