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:
Nov. 09, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 14, 2002
Dawn White, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Solidica, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A system and a method of fabricating a three-dimensional object consolidates material increments in accordance with a description of the object using a process that produces an atomically clean faying surface between the increments without melting the material in bulk. The CAD system ( ) interfaces with a numerical controller ( ), which controls an actuation system. The actuation system brings the support feed unit ( ) the support ultrasonic welding unit ( ), the object feed unit ( ) and the object ultrasonic welding unit ( ) into proper position in the work area ( ), so that the ultrasonic consolidation of the layers takes place according to the CAD description of the object. In alternative embodiments, electrical resistance, and frictional methodologies are used for object consolidation. The invention further facilitates the construction and repair of dense objects, including fiber-reinforced composites and aerospace structures.