Rapid making of a prototype part or mold using stereolithography model

摘要

A structural prototype of the component part is made by first creating a cured resin model of the part, having a network of interconnected supporting members defining the shape of the part and leaving channels (28) between the supporting members to drain away uncured resin from the model. After the model (22) is fully cured and the uncured resin drained away, a hardenable structural material (50) is infiltrated into the channels (28) of the model (22). The hardenable structural material is cured so that the resin model has become reinforced to provide a structural model of the component part. The hardenable structural material may be a mixture of powdered graphite and resin which is cured by heat. The heat may be sufficient to both cure the hardenable structure material and burn away the cured resin of the model so that the component part is then comprised of the hardened structural material having a network of channels therein where the cured resin of the model has been burned away. The model can then be further strengthened by filling the network of channels with a suitable hardenable material. The method can also be used to make a mold to be used in making a molded component.