Patent ID: 6851171
Filing Date: 2005-02-08
Classification: B21D,B23K,B23P,F28D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating a multi-channel device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) fabricating a partial laminate, the fabrication of the partial laminate comprising the steps of: (b) separating the partial laminate into a plurality of subassemblies, each subassembly comprising a base, a first edge strip, a second edge strip, and optionally one or more additional strips, the base, the first edge strip, the second edge strip, and any optional additional strips defining one or more subassembly open channels, each subassembly base having a first edge, the first subassembly base edge being substantially orthogonal to the one or more subassembly open channels, and a second edge, the second subassembly base edge opposite from and substantially parallel to the first subassembly base edge; (c) placing one or more additional subassemblies together with a first subassembly to form a partial stack, such that the base of each additional subassembly cooperates with an adjacent subassembly to form one or more closed channels, wherein the one or more channels of at least one subassembly are substantially orthogonal to the one or more channels of at least one other subassembly; (d) terminating the partial stack with a final plate, the final plate having a first edge and a second edge, the final plate second edge opposite from and substantially parallel to the final plate first edge, wherein the final plate cooperates with an adjacent additional subassembly to define one or more closed channels; (e) securing the first edge of at least one additional subassembly to the first edge strip of an adjacent subassembly; (f) securing the second edge of the at least one additional subassembly to the second edge strip of the adjacent subassembly; (g) securing the final plate first edge to the first edge strip of the adjacent subassembly; and (h) securing the final plate second edge to the second edge strip of the adjacent subassembly.