Methods of subtractively manufacturing a plurality of discrete objects from a single workpiece using a removable fixating material
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing a plurality of discrete objects, wherein each discrete object represents at least a partially completed form of at least a part of a finished product, from a body of material having a first side and a second side spaced from the first side, wherein the discrete objects are defined by through-spaces in the body of material extending from the first side to the second side after performing the method, the method comprising:
- forming, by subtractive manufacturing, valleys in the body of material on the first side of the body of material so as to leave interconnecting portions of the body of material that interconnect the plurality of objects to one another, wherein the valleys form portions of the through spaces, wherein the forming of the valleys and interconnecting portions transforms the body of material into a workpiece of interconnected structures comprising precursors to the discrete objects;
locating a temporary frame laterally surrounding an object region of the body from which all of the discrete objects will be manufactured;
installing a removable fixating material into the valleys so as to laterally surround the discrete objects and be in contact with the temporary frame so as to form a stabilized workpiece;
after the fixating material has hardened, removing, using subtractive manufacturing, the interconnecting portions of the stabilized workpiece; and
after removing the interconnecting portions, removing the removable fixating material so as to liberate the plurality of objects from one another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods involving adding a removable fixating material to a partially manufactured workpiece to stabilize a plurality of partially formed objects therein for subsequent manufacturing. In one example, valleys are formed in a workpiece between adjacent partially formed objects so that interconnecting portions remain to interconnect the partially formed objects. Then, the removable fixating material is installed in the valleys, and once the removable fixating material has hardened, the workpiece is further processed to at least remove the interconnecting portions. In some embodiments, a mold is used to install the removable fixating material into the workpiece. In some embodiments, a prefabricated temporary frame is used for installing the removable fixating material into the workpiece. In some embodiments, a temporary frame is formed from the workpiece along with the plurality of objects during manufacturing.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a plurality of discrete objects, wherein each discrete object represents at least a partially completed form of at least a part of a finished product, from a body of material having a first side and a second side spaced from the first side, wherein the discrete objects are defined by through-spaces in the body of material extending from the first side to the second side after performing the method, the method comprising:
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forming, by subtractive manufacturing, valleys in the body of material on the first side of the body of material so as to leave interconnecting portions of the body of material that interconnect the plurality of objects to one another, wherein the valleys form portions of the through spaces, wherein the forming of the valleys and interconnecting portions transforms the body of material into a workpiece of interconnected structures comprising precursors to the discrete objects; locating a temporary frame laterally surrounding an object region of the body from which all of the discrete objects will be manufactured; installing a removable fixating material into the valleys so as to laterally surround the discrete objects and be in contact with the temporary frame so as to form a stabilized workpiece; after the fixating material has hardened, removing, using subtractive manufacturing, the interconnecting portions of the stabilized workpiece; and after removing the interconnecting portions, removing the removable fixating material so as to liberate the plurality of objects from one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification