Computer automated manufacturing process and system
First Claim
1. A method for the three-dimensional reproduction of an article from a data file generated in response to creation of said three-dimensional design of the article on a computer machine, said method comprising:
- providing a data file of coordinate information representing a three-dimensional design of said article in a three-dimensional coordinate system;
providing a servo-mechanism having at least one movable working head;
providing a computer programmed controller for controlling said servo-mechanism and the movement and position of said working head;
transferring coordinate information from said data file to said programmed controller for controlling said working head in response to said coordinate information;
providing a controlled environment;
supporting an origination seed in said controlled environment to provide a point of origin in said coordinate system about which said article is constructed;
providing a source of mass particles;
emitting a directional energy beam from said working head for directing movement of said mass particles in said coordinate system;
controlling said servo-mechanism to position said working head in response to said coordinate information for directing said mass particles to said three-dimensional coordinates of said design in said coordinate system; and
joining said mass particles with one another at said coordinates beginning with said origination seed to physically construct said article in three-dimensions about said origination seed.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer automated manufacturing process and system (CAMPS) is disclosed which includes a computer system (12) which consists of a computer aided design computer (14) and a machine controller (16) which receives a file of coordinate information (18). An article (10) is designed by means of the computer aided design subsystem (14) and a data file of three-dimensional coordinate information is compiled. The coordinate information is input to the machine controller (16) which controls servos (20) and (22) in a polar coordinate system. The servos (20) and (22) further control the position of a working head (24) and working head (26) so that mass particles are injected to arrive at predetermined coordinate points in the coordinate system to form an article (34). An origination seed (32) is fixed at an origin of the coordinate system and the article (34) is built up around the origination seed (32). Other coordinate systems and apparatus for locating the mass particles at the coordinates of a three-dimensional article are disclosed so that the article may be built up in a number of coordinate systems, and controlled environments.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for the three-dimensional reproduction of an article from a data file generated in response to creation of said three-dimensional design of the article on a computer machine, said method comprising:
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providing a data file of coordinate information representing a three-dimensional design of said article in a three-dimensional coordinate system; providing a servo-mechanism having at least one movable working head; providing a computer programmed controller for controlling said servo-mechanism and the movement and position of said working head; transferring coordinate information from said data file to said programmed controller for controlling said working head in response to said coordinate information; providing a controlled environment; supporting an origination seed in said controlled environment to provide a point of origin in said coordinate system about which said article is constructed; providing a source of mass particles; emitting a directional energy beam from said working head for directing movement of said mass particles in said coordinate system; controlling said servo-mechanism to position said working head in response to said coordinate information for directing said mass particles to said three-dimensional coordinates of said design in said coordinate system; and joining said mass particles with one another at said coordinates beginning with said origination seed to physically construct said article in three-dimensions about said origination seed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for designing an article in two dimensions and then reproducing the article design in three dimensions comprising:
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generating a data file of three-dimensional coordinates on a computer machine representing the three-dimensional design of said article in a coordinate system; providing a controlled environment; providing an origination seed in said controlled environment which serves as a point of origin in said coordinate system; providing a source of mass particles; directing said particles to said three-dimensional coordinates of said article in said coordinate system; positioning said particles at said coordinates; and joining said particles to one another at said coordinates to build up said article in three dimension about said origination seed. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Apparatus for reproducing a physical three-dimensional article from a data file generated on a computer machine on which said article was designed comprising:
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a data file of three-dimensional coordinate information which corresponds to the design of said article in a three-dimensional coordinate system and space; a controlled environment; a physical origination seed which serves as a point of origin of said three-dimensional coordinate system; means for locating said seed point in said controlled environment at the origin of said coordinate system; a source of mass particles; directional means for directing said mass particles to said coordinates in said coordinate system within said controlled environment; control means for controlling said directional means in response to said coordinate information in said data file; and means for joining said mass particles together at said coordinates to physically construct said article in three-dimensions about said origination seed. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24)
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21. The apparatus of 20 including means for controlling said servo means for moving said working heads toward and away from said coordinates in order to maintain a uniform distance between said working head and a target coordinate so that particles impinge upon each other at said coordinates with uniform force for low design shape distortion.
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25. A method for the three-dimensional reproduction of an article from a data file generated in response to creation of a three-dimensional design on a computer machine, said method comprising:
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providing a data file of coordinate information representing a three-dimensional design of said article in a three-dimensional coordinate system; providing a working head which emits an energy beam for directing mass particles to the respective coordinates of said three-dimensional design in said coordinate system; providing a controlled environment; locating an origination seed in said control environment to provide a point of origin in said coordinate system about which said article is constructed; moving said working head in response to said data file of three-dimensional coordinates to emit said energy beam to direct and locate said particles at said coordinates; and joining said mass particles located at said coordinates of said three-dimensional coordinate system beginning with said origination seed to physically reconstruct said article in three-dimensions about said origination seed. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification