Patent ID: 6691763
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: B29C,B29K,B33Y,C25D

Abstract:
A method for producing a die, comprising the steps of:providing a reference CAD model of the die of desired dimensions; providing an oversize CAD model of the die; including in the oversize CAD model a number of reference points sufficient to define a three-dimensional co-ordinate system relative to the CAD model; producing an oversized casting of the die from a mould thereof; imaging the oversized casting to obtain co-ordinates of the surface of the oversized casting relative to a three dimensional co-ordinate system defined by the said reference points on the casting; converting the co-ordinates into a measured CAD model; comparing the dimensions of the oversized casting, as contained in the measured CAD model, against the reference CAD model to determine a deviation therefrom; and ablating the oversized casting until its dimensions are substantially the same as those of the reference CAD model.