The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 19, 1997
Filed:
Dec. 27, 1995
Dawn R White, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Joseph A Szuba, Dearborn, MI (US);
Daniel E Wikosz, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
Method of making a rapid tool, comprising: making a plastic pattern of the tool by free form fabrication techniques following a computer aided design, the design having a base and no undercuts taken in a direction perpendicular to base; constructing a ceramic mold as the inverse of the pattern; separating the pattern from the mold by a separating movement in a direction perpendicular to the base to leave a surface defining a casting cavity within the mold; and thermally spraying tool steel particles against the casting cavity surface is a thickness exceeding 1 inch while rapidly cooling the sprayed particles to effect a net shape tool without the need for further working or heat treatment.