Abstract: A method and machine for automating the layer-by-layer manufacturing of an object according to a solid-solid additive manufacturing method, includes a vacuum table and at least one machining tool movably mounted above the table. The machine also includes a turning station having a cross member which is movable in a longitudinal direction above the table and in a vertical direction. There is a device gripping a plate mounted such that it can rotate about an axis parallel to the cross member. The machine also includes a device supporting a plate to allow the plate to be gripped on either of the two sides thereof by the device gripping the plate. There is an X and Y wedge device suitable for determining the position for, and positioning a plate, a set or a sheet.

Abstract: An instrumented mold formed by an assembly of strata includes, within the assembly of strata, a measurement structure provided with at least one pressure sensor and/or at least one temperature sensor or any other sensor capable of measuring a physical quantity, the structure typically being in the form of a flexible support housed between two strata.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and packing system for producing a package for a product to protect the product, during transportation or storage. The method includes digitizing the product so as to form a virtual key form and determining geometric data. The virtual key form is laminated according geometric data in order to form stratoconception layers. Then, the sheet material is cut into packaging layers corresponding the stratoconception layers, and the packaging layers are stacked to form a package for the more stable protection of the product. The packing system includes the product, package and shipping container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a part penetrated by fluid channels or ducts for the manufacture of a mold that includes channels or ducts for the circulation and/or transfer of a fluid from the molding portion to the non-molding portion and vice versa. The part is formed and manufactured by a Stratoconception (TM) method based on the principle of decomposing the part, via a set of inter-stratum planes, into a succession of strata. After assembly, the part is formed, and channels are provided in the various inter-stratum planes for allowing a fluid to pass through the part. The invention also relates to the parts obtained by the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a negative pressure clamp that includes a bearing plate including a plurality of chambers into each of which gives a suction duct, said working plate being covered with a flexible and formable working plate having suction openings formed therein for drawing a part to be maintained and perforations in which are inserted the lugs of the bearing plate arranged about the chambers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a negative pressure clamp that includes a bearing plate including a plurality of chambers into each of which gives a suction duct, said working plate being covered with a flexible and formable working plate having suction openings formed therein for drawing a part to be maintained and perforations in which are inserted the lugs of the bearing plate arranged about the chambers.

Abstract: A mechanical part useful in various fields of application including plastic and metal processing is produced using a computer-aided design process including a preliminary break-down of the body of the part into elementary strata, followed by manufacture of the elementary strata, and reconstruction of the part. During break-down of the part, at least one fluid transport circuit, which is designed and modeled beforehand, is broken down into elementary chambers (20) in accordance with the break-down of the part. The elementary chambers are produced in the elementary strata (7i) forming the part during manufacture of the strata, and the fluid transport circuit is reconstructed during superposition and assembly of the strata.

Abstract: A mechanical part useful in various fields of application including plastic and metal processing is produced using a computer-aided design process including a preliminary break-down of the body of the part into elementary strata, followed by manufacture of the elementary strata, and reconstruction of the part. During break-down of the part, at least one fluid transport circuit, which is designed and modeled beforehand, is broken down into elementary chambers (20) in accordance with the break-down of the part. The elementary chambers are produced in the elementary strata (7i) forming the part during manufacture of the strata, and the fluid transport circuit is reconstructed during superposition and assembly of the strata.

Abstract: In a method for optimizing the joints between layers along portions of the layers which are flush with the surface of a part obtained by computer-aided modeling or prototyping involving layer decomposition, the connecting profile of two successive layers is mathematically and numerically defined using an algorithm in which the surface of the joint at the end zone adjacent to the flush portions is always substantially normal to the plane tangential to the surface of the part along the flush portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for designing and producing a package intended for the protection and/or transportation of a product. All of the digital design steps for the package are integrated in the method for digitizing the product, which includes a step of laminating a virtual key form of the product used to define geometrical data of each layer of the package to be cut. Then, the cutting is carried out followed by the stacking of the layers of the package defined by the design steps for said package to form a real package. The invention also relates to the package obtained by the method.

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: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a part penetrated by fluid channels or ducts for the manufacture of a mold that includes channels or ducts for the circulation and/or transfer of a fluid from the molding portion to the non-molding portion and vice versa. The part is formed and manufactured by a Stratoconception (TM) method based on the principle of decomposing the part, via a set of inter-stratum planes, into a succession of strata. After assembly, the part is formed, and channels are provided in the various inter-stratum planes for allowing a fluid to pass through the part. The invention also relates to the parts obtained by the process.

Abstract: A method for making mechanical parts and objects, in particular, prototype parts and objects, from a specific computer-assisted design includes the successive steps of making the parts in elementary layers or strata, reconstructing an assembly of the layers, and assembling the layers. The layers are derived from a previous decomposition of the part along specific planes and in one or several step(s). The unit layers determined by the decomposition of the part include a central portion (8), which effectively corresponds to a layer having the shape and thickness desired for the finished part, an outer portion (11) of substantially the same thickness, surrounding at least portions of the central portion, and frangible bridges (10) linking the central portion (8) and the outer portion (11) together.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the joints between layers in that portion thereof which is flush with the surface of a part obtained by means of computer-aided modeling or prototyping of the type involving layer decomposition, characterized in that the connecting profile of two successive layers is mathematically and numerically defined using an algorithm in which the surface of the joint (7) at the end zone close to the flush portion is always substantially normal {right arrow over (n)} to the plane tangential to the surface at the flush point.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of producing a mechanical part on the basis of a computer-aided design of the type comprising: a preliminary step of breaking down the body of the part into elementary strata, a step of manufacturing the elementary strata, a step of reconstructing the part, characterized in that: the procedure incorporates, during the breaking-down of the part, the breaking-down of at least one fluid transport circuit designed and modeled beforehand into elementary chambers (20) according to a break-down associated with that of the part, said elementary chambers are produced in the elementary strata (7i) of the part during the step of manufacturing the strata, and the fluid transport circuit is reconstructed in its entirety during the superposition and assembly of the strata. The invention concerns the mechanical parts produced by said method and for numerous fields of application, for example, but not exclusively, plastic and metal processing.

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: A method for making mechanical parts and objects, in particular, prototype parts and objects, from a specific computer-assisted design includes the successive steps of making the parts in elementary layers or strata, reconstructing an assembly of the layers, and assembling the layers. The layers are derived from a previous decomposition of the part along specific planes and in one or several step(s). The unit layers determined by the decomposition of the part include a central portion (8), which effectively corresponds to a layer having the shape and thickness desired for the finished part, an outer portion (11) of substantially the same thickness, surrounding at least portions of the central portion, and frangible bridges (10) linking the central portion (8) and the outer portion (11) together.

Abstract: Mechanical parts and other objects are produced from a specific computer-assisted design by successive steps including producing pieces of the part or object in elementary layers or strata, building up the collection of layers, and assembling the layers. The layers are derived from previous decomposition of the part or object along specific planes, and one or several steps. At least a portion of one of the layers is turned over (by 180°) after one of its surfaces has been machined, and another surface is machined after the layer has been turned over.

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.