Tool and a method for producing a tool

Abstract

A tool 10 having at least one internal passageway, such as passageway 40, 42, 44 which may provide a vacuum onto the tangible item formation surface or portion 17 , which may provide pressure to the tangible item formation surface or portion 17 , or which may provide cooling to the tool 10 . In alternate embodiments of the inventions, the number and types of such internal passageways 40, 42, 44 may be “mixed and matched” to allow a tool 10 to be built to meet a variety of dissimilar needs and operations. Such a tool may be built by the use of a lamination process.

1 ) A tool having a body including a tangible item forming surface; at least one vacuum passageway which is disposed within said body and in communication with said tangible item forming surface; wherein said at least one vacuum passageway is formed only by the registration of a first and second sectional member; and at least one conformal cooling passageway which is disposed within said body and in communication relationship with said tangible item forming surface.  
     
     
         2 ) The tool of  claim 1  wherein said body comprises a first sectional member; and a second sectional member which is selectively joined to said first sectional member.  
     
     
         3 ) The tool of  claim 2  wherein said first and second sectional members are each formed from stainless steel material.  
     
     
         4 ) The tool of  claim 1  wherein said tool further includes a pressure passageway which is disposed within said body and in communication with said tangible item forming surface.  
     
     
         5 ) A tool having a body including a tangible item forming surface and at least one pressure passageway which is disposed within said body and in communication with said tangible item forming surface, wherein said at least one pressure passageway is formed only by the registration of a first and second sectional members.  
     
     
         6 ) The tool of  claim 5  further comprising a vacuum passageway which is disposed within said body and in communication with said tangible item forming surface.  
     
     
         7 ) The tool of  claim 6  further comprising a conformal cooling passageway which is disposed within said body and in communication with said tangible item forming surface.  
     
     
         8 ) The tool of  claim 7  wherein said body comprises a first sectional member; and a second sectional member which is selectively joined to said first sectional member.  
     
     
         9 ) The tool of  claim 8  wherein each of said first and second sectional members are formed from stainless steel material.  
     
     
         10 ) A tool comprising a body having a tangible item formation surface; and at least one vacuum passageway disposed within said body and in communication with said tangible item formation surface, wherein said at least one vacuum passageway is formed only by the registration of a first and a second member.  
     
     
         11 ) The tool of  claim 10  wherein said body is comprised of a first sectional member; and a second sectional member which is selectively joined to said first sectional member.  
     
     
         12 ) The tool of  claim 11  wherein each of said sectional members are formed from stainless steel.  
     
     
         13 ) A method for forming a tool comprising the steps of forming a first sectional member having a first and a second orifice; forming a second sectional member having a third and a fourth orifice; joining said first sectional member to said second sectional member, effective to form said tool wherein said first orifice cooperates with said third orifice to form a vacuum passageway within said tool and wherein said second orifice cooperates with said fourth orifice to form a conformal cooling passageway within said tool.  
     
     
         14 ) The method of  claim 13  wherein said first and said second sectional members comprise stainless steel members.  
     
     
         15 ) The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of placing copper material between said joined first and second members.  
     
     
         16 ) The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of forming a tangible item creation surface upon said body; and causing said tangible item creation surface to be communicatively coupled to said vacuum passageway and to said conformal cooling passageway.  
     
     
         17 ) A method for forming a tool comprising the steps of forming a first sectional member having a first and a second orifice; forming a second sectional member having a third and a fourth orifice; joining said first sectional member to said second sectional member, effective to form said tool wherein said first orifice cooperates with said third orifice to form a pressurized passageway within said tool and wherein said second orifice cooperates with said fourth orifice to form a conformal cooling passageway within said tool.  
     
     
         18 ) The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of forming a tangible item formation surface upon said body; and communicatively coupling said tangible item formation surface to said pressurized passageway and to said conformal cooling passageway.  
     
     
         19 ) A method for forming a tool comprising the steps of forming the tool by successively coupling formed sectional members together; and forming at least one vacuum passageway within the tool only by coupling the sectional members together.  
     
     
         20 ) A method for forming a tool comprising to steps of forming the tool by successively coupling formed sectional members together; and forming at least one pressure passageway within the tool only by coupling the sectional members together.