In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated.

A method of manufacturing a part using a cutting machine includes placing a non-porous sheet on a surface of a material cutting machine, removing material from the non-porous sheet to form a plurality of sections of the part, and while the non-porous sheet is present on the material cutting machine, forming fastening holes within the sections. The method further includes removing the sections from a remainder of the sheet, placing the sections together such that each section of the part abuts another section, and inserting fasteners through the fastening holes of the sections.

A method for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object includes: a) identifying a set of sequentially extending planar cross-sectional shapes of the three-dimensional object; b) cutting a metal sheet into a plurality of planar metal pieces, each metal piece cut to a metal piece shape corresponding to a respective one of the cross-sectional shapes, wherein the metal sheet has a first face with a first plurality of barbs extending therefrom, and an opposed second face with a second plurality of barbs extending therefrom; c) cutting a substrate sheet into a plurality of planar substrate pieces, each substrate sheet cut to a substrate piece shape corresponding to a respective one of the cross-sectional shapes; and d) positioning the metal pieces and the substrate pieces in facing relation in an alternating pattern and in sequential order, and pressing the metal pieces and substrate pieces together to force the barbs to penetrate the substrate pieces.

A method for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object includes: a) identifying a set of sequentially extending planar cross-sectional shapes of the three-dimensional object; b) cutting a metal sheet into a plurality of planar metal pieces, each metal piece cut to a metal piece shape corresponding to a respective one of the cross-sectional shapes, wherein the metal sheet has a first face with a first plurality of barbs extending therefrom, and an opposed second face with a second plurality of barbs extending therefrom; c) cutting a substrate sheet into a plurality of planar substrate pieces, each substrate sheet cut to a substrate piece shape corresponding to a respective one of the cross-sectional shapes; and d) positioning the metal pieces and the substrate pieces in facing relation in an alternating pattern and in sequential order, and pressing the metal pieces and substrate pieces together to force the barbs to penetrate the substrate pieces.

A method of manufacturing a part using a cutting machine includes placing a non-porous sheet on a surface of a material cutting machine, removing material from the non-porous sheet to form a plurality of sections of the part, and while the non-porous sheet is present on the material cutting machine, forming fastening holes within the sections. The method further includes removing the sections from a remainder of the sheet, placing the sections together such that each section of the part abuts another section, and inserting fasteners through the fastening holes of the sections.

A tool for forming a shaped product has a support body that is fabricated from a first material, such as for instance cast iron. The first material defines a first portion of a forming surface of the tool and has a feature supported thereon. The feature has a layer of a second material that is supported on the first material of the support body, a layer of a third material that is supported on the layer of the second material and a layer of a fourth material that is supported on the layer of the third material. The layer of the fourth material, such as for instance a tool steel alloy, defines a second portion of the forming surface of the tool. During use the first portion of the forming surface and the second portion of the forming surface cooperate to form a desired shape of the shaped product.

An embossing tool comprised of a pressing plate or endless belt that includes a structured surface, a first gloss level over the full area of the structured surface, and further, different gloss levels in several selected areas of the structured surface. The gloss levels are created by mechanical post-treatment and/or chemical post-treatment. A method for producing the embossing tool is also involved. The structured surface is provided with a first gloss level over the full area and receives further, different gloss levels in several selected areas in further work steps. The gloss levels are created via a mechanical post-treatment and/or chemical post-treatment.

An additive manufacturing method includes receiving an electronic representation of a part with a control system, determining a plurality of layers for the electronic representation of the part, and separating one or more of the layers associated with the electronic representation of the part into a plurality of segments. The additive manufacturing method further includes adding a joint structure to two or more of the segments and generating instructions for controlling a machining apparatus based on the electronic representation of the part, the layers, the segments, and the joint structure.

A method of manufacturing a part with a plurality of cut segments includes receiving a sheet of material with a machining apparatus and removing material during one or more first passes with the machining apparatus to form a plurality of segments in the sheet of material. The method also includes forming a tab by removing material during the one or more first passes with the machining apparatus for forming the segments, the tab connecting two segments within the sheet of material to each other and removing material with the machining apparatus to form joints on the segments.