Abstract: A device for producing plates made of metal, plastic or a metallo-plastic composite material, including thermofusible, thermoplastic and thermosettable materials, by machining with a machining tool in a fast prototyping process, includes a plate mold integrated in the prototyping machine. The mold is adapted to receive a material matching the shape of the mold, and to subject the plate to a heating/cooling cycle using a heating/cooling device integrated in the mold body, and additionally includes a vat (2), a base plate (3), a heating circuit (4) and a fluid circulation circuit (5).

Abstract: A plate for producing a prototype part using a rapid prototyping process is made of metal, plastic or a metallo-plastic composite material, including thermofusible, thermoplastic and thermosettable materials, and is machined with the machining tool of a prototyping machine which further includes a plate mold integrated in the prototyping machine. The mold is adapted to receive a material matching the shape of the mold, and to subject the plate to a heating/cooling cycle using a heating/cooling device integrated in the mold body, and additionally includes a vat, a base plate, a heating circuit and a fluid circulation circuit.

Abstract: A vise structure for maintaining in position parts which are to be machined, including but not limited to parts which are to undergo micro-milling operations in a fast prototyping process, includes a fixing bed having a cavity for receiving a thermofusible material which is capable of being reversibly brought from a liquid state to a solid state. A free surface of the fixing bed is continuously urged into contact with the surface of a part which is to be machined, and the fixing bed includes apparatus for heating and cooling the thermofusible material to enable a part arranged on the fixing bed to be selectively released and retained in position on the fixing bed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a vise structure for maintaining parts to be machined, in particular but not exclusively for a micro-milling operation in a fast prototyping process. The invention is characterised in that it consists of a fixing plate (1) provided with reserves suitably distributed wherein is arranged a thermofusible material capable of being reversibly brought from liquid state to solid state whereof the free surface is urged continuously from the surface of said plate, the latter comprising means for heating/cooling (3, 4) said thermofusible material enabling to release/retain the part arranged on said plate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for producing plates made of metal, plastic or metallo-plastic composite material, whether they are non-exclusively thermofusible, thermoplastic or thermosetting designed more particularly to be machined with a machining tool in a fast prototyping process. The invention is characterised in that it consists of a plate mould integrated in the prototyping machine, said mould being adapted to receive a material matching the shape of the mould after being subjected to a heating/cooing cycle with heating/cooling means integrated in the mould body. It essentially comprises: a vat (2); a base plate (3); a heating circuit (4); a fluid circulation circuit (5).

Abstract: A static system designed for acquisition and processing of images of an area flown over in several spectral bands, which are variable on request, of the visible or infrared spectrum. The system includes an on-board assembly including a two-dimensional (distance.times.frequency) CCD matrix type photography device (1) suited for acquisition of successive images of strips of ground flown over in one or more spectral bands spread by a dispersion unit, and a processing unit (2) associated with a trajectory and trim determination device (3, 4), allowing selection in real time of images of the site in one or more spectral bands whose respective widths and spectral functions can be changed at will by means of software according to the nature of the phenomena to be analyzed within the scope of the application where it is used, and allowing ready linking up of images shifted by fluctuations of the aircraft trajectory, notably due to roll.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system for detecting, by means of specific processings of images of an area flown over taken in several spectral bands, signs indicative of a stress of the vegetation and the presence of spots where fire is likely to occur or spread. Images of the area flown over are acquired by means of a photography device (1) in a first spectral band selected in the red part (R) of the visible spectrum, in a second spectral band of the near infrared spectrum (N.I.R.) and in a third spectral band in the thermal infrared spectrum selected to locate parts of the area showing both a hydric stress and hot spots. Coded composite images are obtained by color coding of the aforementioned spectral bands and the images obtained in the three spectral bands are combined by means of a processing system (12, 13), which identifies fire development hazards caused by water deficit and local overheating. The system can be used for fire forecast, protection and fighting.