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US5296335A
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Method for manufacturing fiber-reinforced parts utilizing stereolithography tooling
Assignee: L3Harris Technologies Integrated Systems LP
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Filing: 1993-02-22
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Granted: 1994-03-22
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Expires: 2013-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional fiber-reinforced part utilizing the single-tool method of stereolithography. The tool is fabricated by designing the tool on a computer-aided design system and curing successive layers of a fluid medium via a computer-controlled irradiation source to form the three-dimensional tool. The desired part is generated by applying layers of resin-wetted fabric to the tool, curing the fabric on the tool, removing the tool from the designed part and cleaning, trimming and inspecting the designed part.
Inventors
- 👤 Stan W. Thomas
- 👤 Roger D. Key
- 👤 Kyle G. Fluegel
- 👤 Willie K. Jackson
- 👤 Keith D. Elwell
- 👤 Gary L. White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:09
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C5/00; B; B29; B29C; B29C53/00; B29C53/80; B29C53/82; B29C53/821; B29C53/822; B29C64/00; B29C64/10; B29C64/106; B29C64/124; B29C64/129; B29C64/135; B29C64/165; B33; B33Y; B33Y10/00; B33Y50/00; B33Y50/02; B33Y80/00; B29C33/00; B29C33/38; B29C33/3842; B29K; B29K2063/00; B29K2067/00; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for producing a fiber-reinforced part utilizing stereolithography tooling, comprising the steps of: designing a part on a computer-aided design system; stereolithographically fabricating a tool from the designed part; applying fiber material to the tool; curing the fiber material applied to the tool; and removing the tool for final finishing of the designed part.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for producing a fiber-reinforced part utilizing stereolithography tooling, comprising the steps of: designing a part on a computer-aided design system; stereolithographically fabricating a tool from the designed part; applying fiber material to the tool; curing the fiber material applied to the tool; and removing the tool for final finishing of the designed part.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of designing a part on a computer-aided design system includes the step of creating multiple imaginary cross-sections of the part.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of stereolithographically fabricating a tool from the designed part includes the step of passing an irradiation source over a liquid medium capable of selective physical state transformation upon exposure to the irradiation source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of passing an irradiation source over a liquid medium includes the use of a photopolymer that changes from a substantially liquid state to a substantially solid state upon exposure to the irradiation source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of passing an irradiation source over a liquid medium includes the use of a substantially liquid photopolymer having the physical property of brittleness when solidified.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
30 words
The method of claim wherein the step of stereolithographically fabricating a tool from the designed part includes the step of preparing the tool for the application of a fiber material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of applying fiber material to the tool includes the steps of applying multiple layers of a resin-wetted fiber material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of trimming and cleaning the resulting part.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for producing a fiber-reinforced part utilizing stereolithography tooling, comprising the steps of: designing a part on a computer-aided design system; creating multiple imaginary cross-sections of the part; stereolithographically fabricating a tool from the designed part by passing an irradiation source over a photopolymer responsive upon exposure to said irradiation source by changing from a substantially liquid state to a substantially solid state; said photopolymer having the physical characteristic of brittleness when solidified; preparing the tool for application of a resin-wetted fiber material; applying multiple layers of the resin-wetted fiber material to the tool; curing the fiber material applied to the tool; and removing the tool for final finishing of the designed part.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for producing a fiber-reinforced part utilizing stereolithography tooling, comprising the steps of: designing a part on a computer-aided design system; creating multiple imaginary cross-sections of the part; stereolithographically fabricating a tool from the designed part by passing an irradiation source over a photopolymer responsive upon exposure to said irradiation source by changing from a substantially liquid state to a substantially solid state; said photopolymer having the physical characteristic of brittleness when solidified; preparing the tool for application of a resin-wetted fiber material; applying multiple layers of the resin-wetted fiber material to the tool; curing the fiber material applied to the tool; and removing the tool for final finishing of the designed part.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 wherein an epoxy or polyester resin is used to wet the fiber material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-21 | 1997-09-20 | 1998-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-21 | 2001-09-20 | 2002-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-21 | 2005-09-20 | 2006-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |