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Methods for freeform fabrication of structures

Patent ·
OSTI ID:873057
 [1];  [1]
  1. Albuquerque, NM
+ Show Author Affiliations

Rapid prototyping methods and apparatuses that produce structures made of continuous-fiber polymer-matrix composites without the use of molds. Instead of using molds, the composite structure is fabricated patch by patch in layers or wraps, using a two- or three-axis stage connected to a rapidly-reconfigurable forming surface, and a robot arm to position the evolving composite structure, which are both programmable devices. Because programmable devices are included, i.e., a robot and a two- or three-axis stage connected to the reconfigurable forming surface, the control program needed to produce a desired shape can be easily modified to automatically generate the desired shape from an electronic model (e.g., using a CAD/CAM system) of the desired (predetermined) shape.

Research Organization:
SANDIA CORP
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Number(s):
US 6080343
OSTI ID:
873057
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (1)

Automated composite tape lay-up using robotic devices
  • Olsen, H. B.; Craig, J. J.
  • [1993] IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, [1993] Proceedings IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation https://doi.org/10.1109/ROBOT.1993.292190
conference January 1993

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Related Subjects

/264/
apparatuses
arm
automatically
cad
composite
composite structure
composites
connected
continuous-fiber
control
desired
desired shape
devices
easily
electronic
evolving
fabricated
fabrication
forming
forming surface
freeform
freeform fabrication
generate
included
layers
matrix composite
matrix composites
methods
model
modified
molds
patch
polymer-matrix
position
predetermined
produce
programmable
prototyping
prototyping method
rapid
rapid prototyping
rapidly-reconfigurable
reconfigurable
robot
robot arm
shape
stage
structure
structures
surface
three-axis
two-
wraps