Patent US5616293A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5616293A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rapid making of a prototype part or mold using stereolithography model
Assignee: Ally Credit Canada Ltd
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Filing: 1995-03-03
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Granted: 1997-04-01
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Expires: 2015-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A structural prototype of the component part is made by first creating a model of the part which is of cured resin and has a network of interconnected supporting members defining the shape of the part and leaving channels between the supporting members to drain away uncured resin from the model. A hardenable structural material is infiltrated into the channels of the model and cured so that the resin model has become reinforced to provide a structural model of the component part. The hardenable structural material may be a mixture of powdered graphite and resin which is cured by heat. The heat may be sufficient to both cure the hardenable structure material and burn away the cured resin of the model so that the component part is then comprised of the hardened structural material having a network of channels therein where the cured resin of the model has been burned away. The model can then be further strengthened by filling the network of channels with a suitable hardenable material. The method can also be used to make a mold to be used in making a molded component.
Inventors
- 👤 Mansour Ashtiani-Zarandi
- 👤 David G. Hlavaty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:57
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C33/00; B29C33/44; B29C33/448; B29C64/00; B29C64/10; B29C64/106; B29C64/124; B29C64/129; B29C64/135; B33; B33Y; B33Y70/00; B33Y80/00; B29C33/38; B29C33/3842
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
Method of making a structural component part comprising the steps of: a. creating a cured resin model of the part having a network of interconnected supporting members defining the shape of the part and leaving voids between the supporting members to drain away uncured resin; b. infiltrating a hardenable structural material into the voids; and c. curing the hardenable structural material so that the model is reinforced to provide a structural component part.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
Method of making a structural component part comprising the steps of: a. creating a cured resin model of the part having a network of interconnected supporting members defining the shape of the part and leaving voids between the supporting members to drain away uncured resin; b. infiltrating a hardenable structural material into the voids; and c. curing the hardenable structural material so that the model is reinforced to provide a structural component part.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 in which the hardenable structural material is a mixture of powdered graphite and resin which is cured by heat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 in which the hardenable material is heat cured and the heat is also sufficient to burn away the cured resin of the model so that the component part is then comprised of the hardened structural material having a network of channels therein where the cured resin of the model has been burned away.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3 in which the model is further strengthened and the surface thereof finished by filling the network of channels remaining where the cured resin was burned away with a hardenable material.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of making a mold to be used in making a molded component, comprising the steps of: a. using stereolithography to create a cured resin model of the intended mold and define in the model a mold cavity having the shape of the molded component, said model having a network of supporting members defining the shape of the model and leaving voids between the supporting members to drain away uncured resin; b. infiltrating a hardenable structural material into the voids of the model; and c. curing the hardenable structural material so that the model is reinforced, whereby a mold is made having sufficient strength to receive molten material.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of making a mold to be used in making a molded component, comprising the steps of: a. using stereolithography to create a cured resin model of the intended mold and define in the model a mold cavity having the shape of the molded component, said model having a network of supporting members defining the shape of the model and leaving voids between the supporting members to drain away uncured resin; b. infiltrating a hardenable structural material into the voids of the model; and c. curing the hardenable structural material so that the model is reinforced, whereby a mold is made having sufficient strength to receive molten material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 in which the hardenable structural material is a mixture of powdered graphite and resin which is cured by heat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 6 in which the hardenable material is heat cured and the heat is also sufficient to burn away the cured resin of the model so that the component part is then comprised of the hardened structural material having a network of channels therein where the cured resin of the model has been burned away.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 7 in which the model is further strengthened and the surface thereof finished by filling the network of channels remaining where the cured resin was burned away with a hardenable 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) | 2000-03-31 | 2000-09-30 | 2001-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-31 | 2004-09-30 | 2005-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-31 | 2008-09-30 | 2009-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |