Methods and apparatus for three-dimensional printed composites based on flattened substrate sheets
US9776376B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 2015 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 4, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T442/67
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A 3D object according to the invention involves substrate layers infiltrated by a hardened material. The 3D object may be fabricated by a method comprising the following steps: Flatten a substrate layer. Position powder on all or part of a substrate layer. Repeat this step for the remaining substrate layers. Stack the substrate layers. Transform the powder into a substance that flows and subsequently hardens into the hardened material. The hardened material solidifies in a spatial pattern that infiltrates positive regions in the substrate layers and does not infiltrate negative regions in the substrate layers. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate is carbon fiber and excess substrate is removed by abrasion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.