Low pressure injection molding of metal and ceramic powders using soft tooling
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for manufacturing a desired part comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a pattern of a desired shape;
b) pouring a material around the pattern to form a soft tool;
c) curing the soft tool material to a rigid solid;
d) removing the pattern from the soft tool material to form a cavity therein;
e) mounting an ejector system on the soft tool;
f) mounting the soft tool on an injection molding machine; and
g) introducing an aqueous metal and/or ceramic powder feedstock material into the injection molding machine at a molding temperature less than about 212°
F. and a hydraulic molding pressure less than about 1500 psi for the appropriate amounts of time to mold the desired part.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for rapidly manufacturing soft tooling from organic polymer-based resins and reinforcement filler materials for use in an injection molding machine to make complex metal and ceramic parts from powders. The cost to produce the tooling is relatively low and the manufacturing time is relatively short compared to conventional processes for making metal tooling. The finished parts are near-net shape, requiring little or no machining, and have excellent sintered properties.
14 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A method for manufacturing a desired part comprising the steps of:
-
a) providing a pattern of a desired shape;
b) pouring a material around the pattern to form a soft tool;
c) curing the soft tool material to a rigid solid;
d) removing the pattern from the soft tool material to form a cavity therein;
e) mounting an ejector system on the soft tool;
f) mounting the soft tool on an injection molding machine; and
g) introducing an aqueous metal and/or ceramic powder feedstock material into the injection molding machine at a molding temperature less than about 212°
F. and a hydraulic molding pressure less than about 1500 psi for the appropriate amounts of time to mold the desired part.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification