一種新穎的快速3D原型/製造技術,其特點在於突破現行的水平積層模式,採用彈性變向式積層方式,使材料能沿3D製件的表面切線方向成形,以消除積層階梯問題,使表面光滑度更好;並突破現行的連點成線的掃描式佈料方法,利用以線成面、而且可以改變曲率的面積式佈料方法,加快3D成形速度;在供料及材料結合方法上,則採用與傳統製造技術(如金屬的鑄造與焊接、塑膠的擠型與射出成型)相似的物理方法,因此能使用各種現行工業材料,不受需要特殊材料的限制;可使用低成本(電熱、感應加熱或鈍氣電弧) 熱源。其應用包括製作表面光滑度更好的金屬模具模心,顯著降低後加工(磨削)的成本;也能施用在粗切削的模心粗型上,製成具有異形水路的金屬模具模心。 This invention relates to a new rapid prototyping and production system and process with the features of flexible material deposition along the tangential directions of the surface of a part to be made, thereby eliminating stair-shape surface due to uniform horizontal layer deposition; increasing the width of material deposition to increase build up rate; applying the principles of traditional forming/joining processes, such as casting, fusion welding, plastic extrusion and injection molding in the fabrication process so that various industrial materials can be processed; applying comparatively low cost heating sources, such as induction heating and arc-heating. Applications include rapid production of metal mold inserts for plastics injection molding and wax injection for investment casting. |