Part obtained by selective melting of a powder comprising a main element and rigid secondary elements

Abstract

A part obtained by selective melting of a powder on a support plate having a main element and rigid secondary elements arranged between the main element and the support plate, and adapted to be detached from the main element. All or part of the secondary elements comprises a body of thickness E and a head of width L greater than the thickness E of this body, the body connected to the support plate and the head connected to main element. All or part of the secondary elements includes a region of connection between the head and the body. The head of the secondary element extends over at most half the height H of this element.

Claims

1. A part obtained by selective melting of a powder on a support plate, this part comprising: a main element, and rigid secondary elements, wherein these secondary elements are arranged between the main element and the support plate, wherein the secondary elements are adapted to be detached from the main element, wherein all or part of the secondary elements comprises a body of thickness E and a head of width L which is greater than the thickness E of this body, the head including at least one contiguous hole, wherein the body is connected to the support plate and the head is connected to the main element, wherein all or part of the secondary elements comprises a region of connection between the head and the body, and wherein the width L of the heads of the secondary elements extend a distance at most half the height H of the secondary elements.

2. The part according to claim 1, wherein the width L of the head of the secondary elements extends over at most of the height H of the secondary elements.

3. The part according to claim 1, wherein the region of connection has a blend radius R.

4. The part according to claim 1, wherein the head widens at a constant rate from the region of connection with a divergence that is uniform.

5. The part according to claim 4, wherein the divergence of the head is between 20 and 140.

6. The part according to claim 4, wherein the divergence of the head is between 90 and 120.

7. The part according to claim 1, wherein the width L of the head is at least equal to twice the thickness E of the body.

8. The part according to claim 1, wherein the heads of the secondary elements meet at the main element so that this main element rests entirely on the secondary elements.

9. The part according to claim 1, wherein head comprises means of detachment for detaching the main element from the secondary elements.

10. The part according to claim 1, wherein the secondary elements are inclined with respect to the support plate, these secondary elements respectively forming an angle .beta. greater than or equal to 20 with this support plate.

11. The part according to claim 1, wherein the at least one contiguous hole includes a plurality of contiguous holes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically depicts a view in cross section of a part according to an embodiment of the invention, this part comprising a plurality of secondary elements produced according to a first embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 schematically depicts an enlargement of the secondary element of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 schematically depicts a secondary element according to a second embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 schematically depicts a secondary element according to a third embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 depicts a plurality of secondary elements produced according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 depicts secondary elements produced according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

(8) FIG. 7 depicts a secondary element produced according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

(9) FIG. 8 depicts the steps of a method for manufacturing a part according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

(10) In the description which follows, elements which are substantially identical or similar will be denoted by identical references.

(11) FIG. 1 schematically depicts a view in cross section of a part 1 obtained by selectively melting a powder on a support plate 3. This part 1 comprises a main element 5. This main element 5 here forms a molding element for vulcanizing and molding all or part of a tire tread. The part 1 also comprises a plurality of secondary elements 7 evenly distributed between the main element 5 and the support plate 3. The cross section of these secondary elements comprises a body 9 connected to the support plate 3 and a head 11 connected to the main element 5. More particularly, the head 11 has a width L greater than the thickness E of the body 9.

(12) As has already been emphasized, the main element 5 and the secondary elements 7 are formed by selective melting of a powder, it being possible for this powder to be a metallic, organic (ceramic) or plastic powder. The powder may also be a blend of different types of powder.

(13) FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a secondary element of FIG. 1. This element comprises a region of connection 13 between the head 11 and the body 9. The head 11 of the secondary element extends over at most half the height H of the element 7. For preference, the head 11 extends over at most of the height H of the secondary element.

(14) FIG. 3 shows an alternative form of embodiment in which the head 11 of the secondary element comprises a region of connection 13. This region of connection here takes the form of a blend radius R. This blend radius is, for example, between 1 and 20 mm, depending on the magnitude of the length of the head 11 of the secondary element. In this embodiment, the head 11 widens progressively from the region of connection 13 with a divergence . This divergence is, in this instance, between 20 and 140. Stated differently, the head 11 has a triangular overall cross section, one of the sides 12 forming a support for supporting the main element 5. The other two sides 14 of the triangle make an angle with a direction parallel to the side 12 of the triangle. This angle is between 20 and 80. In this way, it is possible to contemplate secondary elements with a head 11 of sufficient width to support the main element, while at the same time having a body 9 that is relatively thin.

(15) For preference, the divergence of the head is between 90 and 120.

(16) FIG. 4 shows another alternative form of embodiment in which the head 11 comprises a head edge 15 of triangular shape. This head edge 15 makes it possible to improve contact between the various secondary elements in order to obtain a continuous surface on which it will be possible to mount the main element 5.

(17) It will be noted that, in the examples of FIGS. 1 to 4, the width of the head 11 is far greater than the thickness E of the body 9. More particularly, the width of the head is at least equal to twice this thickness. By way of example, the thickness E of the body is between 0.1 and 0.5 mm, and for preference, this thickness is equal to 0.3 mm.

(18) In the case of the embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 4 in which the head widens progressively, the width of the head 11 means the mean width of this head.

(19) FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention, in which the heads 11 of the secondary elements 7 meet at the main element 5. Thus, the main element 5 rests entirely on the secondary elements 7, these secondary elements being evenly distributed under this main element 5.

(20) FIG. 6 shows an alternative form of embodiment in which the secondary element 7 comprises mean 17 of detaching this element 7 from the main element. These detachment means are depicted here in the form of contiguous holes.

(21) FIG. 7 shows another alternative form of embodiment in which the secondary elements 7 are inclined with respect to the support plate 3. These secondary elements 7 thus form an angle greater than or equal to 20 with the support plate 3.

(22) FIG. 8 illustrates a method of manufacturing a molding element. This method comprising a step E1 of creating rigid secondary elements under the molding element. These secondary elements thus comprise a body and a head which is of a width greater than the thickness of the body. All or part of the secondary elements also comprises a region of connection between the head and the body. In addition, the head of the secondary element extends over at most half the height H of this element. The method also comprises a step E2 of detaching the secondary elements from the molding element.

(23) The invention is not restricted to the examples described and depicted and various modifications can be made thereto without departing from its scope.

(24) Thus, in FIGS. 1 and 5, the main element has been depicted as having a planar lower surface, namely a planar surface for contact with the secondary elements. As an alternative, this lower surface may have a non-planar profile. For example, this lower surface may have one or more curvature(s). If it does, the secondary elements have different heights so as to follow these curvatures.

(25) Furthermore, in FIGS. 1 and 5 the secondary elements extend in the width of the main element, namely in a direction perpendicular to the plane of section of these figures. As an alternative, the secondary elements may extend along the length of the main element.

(26) Finally, the invention may be applied to the manufacture of any type of element other than molding elements.