公开(公告)号：US06463349B2

公开(公告)日：2002-10-08

申请号：US09859691

申请日：2001-05-17

申请人： Dawn White ,  David E.E. Carmein

发明人： Dawn White ,  David E.E. Carmein

IPC分类号： G06F1900

CPC分类号： G05B19/00 ,  B29C64/141 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  G05B19/4099 ,  G05B2219/45206 ,  G05B2219/45238 ,  G05B2219/49011 ,  G05B2219/49015 ,  G05B2219/49016 ,  G05B2219/49017 ,  G05B2219/49026 ,  G05B2219/49032 ,  G05B2219/49039 ,  G05B2219/49241 ,  Y02P90/265

摘要： Machine tools combine material addition via ultrasonic object consolidation and subtractive techniques for imparting high-dimensional accuracy to a finished object. A material supply and feeder, ultrasonic horn, and feedstock cutting device are integrated with a material removal subsystem preferably including a cutting tool and an excess material removal system. Any metal, plastic or composite material suitable for ultrasonic joining may be employed as a feedstock, and these material may assume the form of tapes, sheets, wires, filaments, dots or droplets, with the feeding and material cutting components being designed for the specific feedstock employed. The cutting tool for excess material removal, may be a knife, drill/mill, grinding tool, or other tool capable of accurately cutting the external contour of a cross section of the part being built, and for removing excess feedstock remaining following the application process. The material removal could consist of a vacuum or blower system, chip auger, or other suitable apparatus. A machine disclosed as part of the preferred embodiment is able to deposit material in one step, and optionally and selectively remove it in another. Through the expeditious combination of deposition and removal, the fabrication of objects of arbitrary shape may be realized.