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:
Feb. 16, 1999
Filed:
Nov. 26, 1993
Furqan Zafar Shaikh, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Gregory Hugh Smith, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Michael Raymond Rigley, Westland, MI (US);
Craig Edward Burch, Southfield, MI (US);
Martin Andrew Brogley, Allen Park, MI (US);
Robert Francis Novak, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Robert Walter Grenkowitz, Romeo, MI (US);
Gerald A Grab, Trenton, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
Method of rapidly producing a contoured part, comprising: designing a computer graphic model of the part, sectioning the graphic model into graphic members which are at least one of blocks or slabs, carving a solid member (14-150 mm in thickness) for each of the graphic members, the solid member being proportion to and enveloping such graphic members, the carving being carried out by accessing two or more sides (opposite sides) of such solid member to at least essentially duplicate the corresponding graphic member, and securing the carved solid members together to replicate the graphic model as a usable unitary part. The method can be modified to make castings by carving wax or foam solid members which are assembled to form an investment pattern, the was pattern being used in a shell mold casting steps and the foam pattern being used in evaporative casting steps.