Method of forming finished parts utilizing stereolithography technology

• US 6,665,574 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2001
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Inventors: Farren, Chris E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kasenge, Charles R
• Application Number:
  US09/847,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20020165635A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 700/120, 700/182, 700/95, 700/97, 700/98, 700/118, 700/180, 700/186
• US Class Current: 700/120
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 50/02 for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4099 Surface or curve machining, making 3D objects, e.g. desktop manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35044 Tool, design of tool, mold, die tooling
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49013 Deposit layers, cured by scanning laser, stereo lithography SLA, prototyping

Abstract

There is provided a method of forming a tool for performing a desired tooling task upon an unfinished part to form a finished part. The method may comprise the step of creating a computer model of the tool corresponding to the unfinished part. Moreover, the method may further comprise using the computer model to stereolithographically create the tool.

Claims

1. A method of forming a tool for performing a desired tooling task upon an unfinished part to form a finished part, the method comprising the steps of:

a) creating a computer model of the tool simulating a work surface configured to complement the finished part after manufacture of the finished part, the computer model of the tool corresponding to the unfinished part; and

b) using the computer model to stereolithographically create the tool to engage and perform the desired tooling task upon the unfinished part to form the finished part engageable to the work surface without necessitating any substantial post-manufacture operation thereon.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the unfinished part is a factory manufactured unfinished part.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step a) comprises:

1) creating a computer model of the unfinished part; and

2) creating the computer model of the tool through the use of the computer model of the unfinished part.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein step 1) comprises:

i) deriving part parameters defining the unfinished part; and

ii) inputting the part parameters into a computer aided design system.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein step ii) comprises:

(a) using the inputted part parameters to formulate part commands for transmission to a computer aided manufacturing system.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the computer aided manufacturing system is a computer numeric control system.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein step a) comprises:

1) accessing a computer aided design system to retrieve the computer model of the tool corresponding to the unfinished part.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein step a) comprises:

1) deriving tool parameters defining the tool, the tool parameters being derivable to correspondingly size and configure the tool to the unfinished part; and

2) inputting tool parameters into a computer aided design system.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the tool parameters are chosen from the group consisting of geometrical dimensions, size, thickness, texture, durability, shock resistance, dimensional stability, material characteristic, producibility, and combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein step b) comprises:

1) translating the computer model into tool commands; and

2) communicating the tool commands to a stereolithography apparatus.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein step 2) comprises:

i) moving an irradiation source of the stereolithography apparatus over a liquid medium in response to the communicated tool commands, the liquid medium selectively transforming to a physical state upon exposure to the irradiation source.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the liquid medium is a photopolymer resin medium.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein step b) comprises:

1) defining a geometrical configuration of the tool; and

2) positioning the unfinished part in abutting contact to the geometrical configuration of the tool, the geometrical configuration being receivable of the unfinished part when being positioned thereto.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein step 2) comprises:

i) securing the unfinished part to the geometrical configuration of the tool; and

ii) performing the desired tooling task upon the unfinished part to form the finished part.

15. An intermediate assembly for forming a finished part, the assembly comprising:

an unfinished part; and

a stereolithographically-created tool simulating a geometrical configuration of a work surface configured to complement the finished part after manufacture of the finished part, the geometrical configuration of the tool being sized and configured to receive the unfinished part when being positioned thereto to perform a desired tooling task thereupon to form the finished part engageable to the work surface without necessitating any substantial post-manufacture operation thereon.