METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATION OF ARTICLES BY MOLTEN AND SEMI-MOLTEN DEPOSITION

摘要

A method and apparatus for depositing metals and metal-like substances in two and three dimensional form without a substrate in a safe, rapid and economical fashion using gas shielded arc welding equipment and programmable robotic motion. The method and apparatus includes the use and application of robotic controls, temperature and position feedback, single and multiple material feeds, and semi liquid deposition thereby creating near net shape parts particularly well suited to rapid prototyping and lower volume production.

主权项

1. An apparatus configured to fabricate a metal or metal-like object, the apparatus comprising:
a deposition head configured to deposit a metal or a metal-like material; a multi-axis robotic system configured to support the deposition head, the multi-axis robotic positioning system further configured for movement in a first plane; a build table disposed beneath the deposition head the build table defining a support surface parallel to a first plane, wherein the build table is configured for independent movement in a first axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane.