COMBINED TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT CASTING PROCESS
First Claim
1. A method of fabricating a finished part, the method including:
- creating a master pattern using an additive manufacturing process, the master pattern corresponding in shape to the finished part, wherein the master pattern is created from a first material;
creating a shell of the master pattern by applying one or more layers of one or more coating materials to the master pattern, wherein the one or more coating materials is different than the first material;
ultrasonically dissolving the master pattern while the master pattern is in the shell to create a shell cavity in the shell that corresponds in shape to the finished part;
pouring a molding material into the shell cavity, the molding material being a second material that is different than the first material and the one or more coating materials;
allowing the molding material to harden and to reach a determined temperature such that the hardened molding material becomes the finished part; and
removing the shell from around the finished part.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of fabricating a finished part includes generating or creating a master pattern using an additive manufacturing process, and the master pattern corresponds in shape to the finished part. A shell is created by applying one or more layers of one or more coating materials to the master pattern. The master pattern is then dissolved while the master pattern is in the shell to create a cavity in the shell that corresponds in shape to the finished part. A molten material is then poured into the cavity of the shell. The molten metal is allowed to cool and to harden and/or to reach a determined temperature such that the molten metal becomes the finished part. The shell is then removed from around the finished part.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of fabricating a finished part, the method including:
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creating a master pattern using an additive manufacturing process, the master pattern corresponding in shape to the finished part, wherein the master pattern is created from a first material; creating a shell of the master pattern by applying one or more layers of one or more coating materials to the master pattern, wherein the one or more coating materials is different than the first material; ultrasonically dissolving the master pattern while the master pattern is in the shell to create a shell cavity in the shell that corresponds in shape to the finished part; pouring a molding material into the shell cavity, the molding material being a second material that is different than the first material and the one or more coating materials; allowing the molding material to harden and to reach a determined temperature such that the hardened molding material becomes the finished part; and removing the shell from around the finished part. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification