Claims
- 1. A method of forming a casting, comprising:
filling a mold having a stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product, the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil layers defining a protruding undercut; and demolding the first cast product from the mold.
- 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the mold.
- 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for each of the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers, designing a feature associated with the layer.
- 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising designing a feature associated with all of the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers of the mold.
- 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising micro-machining each of the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for each of the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers, micro-machining a feature associated with the layer.
- 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising micro-machining a feature associated with all of the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising stacking the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising aligning the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising bonding the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising clamping the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising affixing the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising fabricating the mold.
- 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the first casting material to solidify to form the first cast product.
- 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising surrounding the first cast product with a second casting material.
- 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising surrounding the first cast product with a second casting material and allowing the second casting material to solidify into a second cast product.
- 18. The method of claim 1, further comprising surrounding the first cast product with a second casting material and allowing the second casting material to solidify into a nonplanar second cast product.
- 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming the first cast product into a non-planar shape.
- 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming the first cast product into a non-planar shape and surrounding the formed first cast product with a second casting material and allowing the second casting material to solidify into a nonplanar second cast product.
- 21. The method of claim 1, further comprising surrounding the first cast product with a second casting material and demolding a second cast product formed from the second casting material.
- 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the first casting material comprises a flexible polymer.
- 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the first casting material comprises an elastomer.
- 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the first casting material comprises silicone rubber.
- 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers define a cavity having a protruding undercut.
- 26. The method of claim 1, wherein the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers define a plurality of cavities therein.
- 27. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning an insert into a cavity defined by the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 28. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning an insert into a cavity defined by the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers, the insert occupying only a portion of the cavity.
- 29. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning an insert into a cavity defined by the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers prior to said filling the mold with the first casting material.
- 30. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning a lithographically-derived micro-machined insert into a cavity defined by the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers prior to said filling the mold with the first casting material.
- 31. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cast product has an aspect ratio greater than 100:1.
- 32. The method of claim 1, further comprising surrounding the first cast product with a second casting material and demolding a second cast product formed from the second casting material, the second cast product having an aspect ratio greater than 100:1.
- 33. The method of claim 1, wherein a cavity defined by the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers has an aspect ratio greater than 100:1.
- 34. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cast product is an end product.
- 35. The method of claim 1, further comprising surrounding the first cast product with a second casting material and demolding a second cast product formed from the second casting material, the second cast product being an end product.
- 36. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cast product is attached to a substrate.
- 37. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cast product is a free-standing structure.
- 38. A method of forming a casting, comprising:
filling a mold having a stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined foil layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product, the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined foil layers defining a protruding undercut; and demolding the first cast product from the mold.
- 39. The method of claim 38, further comprising providing the mold.
- 40. The method of claim 38, further comprising, for each of the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers, designing a feature associated with the layer.
- 41. The method of claim 38, further comprising designing a feature associated with all of the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers of the mold.
- 42. The method of claim 38, further comprising micro-machining each of the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 43. The method of claim 38, further comprising, for each of the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers, micro-machining a feature associated with the layer.
- 44. The method of claim 38, further comprising micro-machining a feature associated with all of the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 45. The method of claim 38, further comprising stacking the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 46. The method of claim 38, further comprising aligning the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 47. The method of claim 38, further comprising bonding the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 48. The method of claim 38, further comprising clamping the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 49. The method of claim 38, further comprising securing the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 50. The method of claim 38, further comprising affixing the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 51. The method of claim 38, further comprising fabricating the mold.
- 52. The method of claim 38, further comprising allowing the first casting material to solidify to form the first cast product.
- 53. The method of claim 38, further comprising surrounding the first cast product with a second casting material.
- 54. The method of claim 38, further comprising surrounding the first cast product with a second casting material and allowing the second casting material to solidify into a second cast product.
- 55. The method of claim 38, further comprising surrounding the first cast product with a second casting material and allowing the second casting material to solidify into a nonplanar second cast product.
- 56. The method of claim 38, further comprising forming the first cast product into a non-planar shape.
- 57. The method of claim 38, further comprising forming the first cast product into a non-planar shape and surrounding the formed first cast product with a second casting material and allowing the second casting material to solidify into a nonplanar second cast product.
- 58. The method of claim 38, further comprising surrounding the first cast product with a second casting material and demolding a second cast product formed from the second casting material.
- 59. The method of claim 38, wherein the first casting material comprises a flexible polymer.
- 60. The method of claim 38, wherein the first casting material comprises an elastomer.
- 61. The method of claim 38, wherein the first casting material comprises silicone rubber.
- 62. The method of claim 38, wherein the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers define a cavity having a protruding undercut.
- 63. The method of claim 38, wherein the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers define a plurality of cavities therein.
- 64. The method of claim 38, further comprising positioning an insert into a cavity defined by the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers.
- 65. The method of claim 38, further comprising positioning an insert into a cavity defined by the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers, the insert occupying only a portion of the cavity.
- 66. The method of claim 38, further comprising positioning an insert into a cavity defined by the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers prior to said filling the mold with the first casting material.
- 67. The method of claim 38, further comprising positioning a non-lithographically-derived micro-machined insert into a cavity defined by the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers prior to said filling the mold with the first casting material.
- 68. The method of claim 38, wherein the first cast product has an aspect ratio greater than 100:1.
- 69. The method of claim 38, further comprising surrounding the first cast product with a second casting material and demolding a second cast product formed from the second casting material, the second cast product having an aspect ratio greater than 100:1.
- 70. The method of claim 38, wherein a cavity defined by the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers has an aspect ratio greater than 100:1.
- 71. The method of claim 38, wherein the first cast product is an end product.
- 72. The method of claim 38, further comprising surrounding the first cast product with a second casting material and demolding a second cast product formed from the second casting material, the second cast product being an end product.
- 73. The method of claim 38, wherein the first cast product is attached to a substrate.
- 74. The method of claim 38, wherein the first cast product is a free-standing structure.
- 75. A method of forming a casting, comprising:
filling a mold having a stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product, the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil layers defining a protruding undercut; and demolding the first cast product from the mold, the first cast product reflecting the protruding undercut.
- 76. A method of forming a casting, comprising:
filling a mold having a stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product, the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil layers defining a sandwiched cavity; and demolding the first cast product from the mold, the first cast product reflecting the sandwiched cavity.
- 77. A method of forming a casting, comprising:
filling a mold having a stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product, the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil layers defining a feature having an aspect ratio greater than 20:1; and demolding the first cast product from the mold, the first cast product reflecting the feature.
- 78. A method of forming a casting, comprising:
filling a mold having a stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product, the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers defining a feature having an isotropic wall; and demolding the first cast product from the mold, the first cast product reflecting the feature.
- 79. A method of fabricating a stack lamination mold, comprising:
for each of a plurality of metallic foil layers, lithographically micro-machining a layer feature on the layer; assembling the plurality of layers into a stack; and aligning the layer features to define a stack feature having an aspect ratio greater than 50:1.
- 80. A method of fabricating a stack lamination mold, comprising:
for each of a plurality of metallic foil layers, lithographically micro-machining a feature on the layer; assembling the plurality of layers into a stack; and aligning the features to within 2 microns.
- 81. A method of fabricating a stack lamination mold, comprising the activities of:
for each of a plurality of metallic foil layers, lithographically defining a plurality of features on the layer; micro-machining each of the plurality of layers, said micro-machining activity selected from laser machining, ion etching, electroplating, vapor deposition, bulk micro-machining, surface micro-machining, and conventional machining; and assembling the plurality of layers into a stack.
- 82. A method of fabricating a stack lamination mold, comprising:
lithographically micro-machining a feature on a predetermined layer of a plurality of layers, said feature having at least one isotropic wall; assembling the plurality of layers into a stack.
- 83. A method comprising lithographically micro-machining a feature on a predetermined layer of a plurality of layers, said feature having at least one isotropic wall.
- 84. A method of fabricating a stack lamination mold, comprising:
lithographically micro-machining a feature in a first layer of a plurality of layers, said first layer's feature bordered by at least one wall having a predetermined first surface finish; and lithographically micro-machining a feature in a second layer of the plurality of layers, said second layer's feature bordered by at least one wall having a predetermined second surface finish, the predetermined second surface finish differing from the predetermined first surface finish.
- 85. A method of fabricating a stack lamination mold, comprising:
lithographically micro-machining a feature and a channel in a predetermined layer of a plurality of metallic foil layers, the channel fluidly coupling the feature to an outer edge of the predetermined layer; assembling the plurality of layers into a stack.
- 86. A method of fabricating a stack lamination mold, comprising:
lithographically micro-machining each of a plurality of metallic foil layers; and assembling the plurality of layers into a stack that defines a protruding undercut.
- 87. A lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold, said mold defining a stack feature having an aspect ratio greater than 50:1.
- 88. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 87, wherein said aspect ratio is greater than 75:1.
- 89. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 87, wherein said aspect ratio is greater than 100:1.
- 90. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 87, wherein said aspect ratio is greater than 150:1.
- 91. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 87, wherein said aspect ratio is greater than 200:1.
- 92. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 87, wherein said aspect ratio is greater than 250:1.
- 93. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 87, wherein said aspect ratio is greater than 300:1.
- 94. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 87, wherein said aspect ratio is greater than 400:1.
- 95. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 87, wherein said mold is a positive replication of a predetermined end product.
- 96. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 87, wherein said mold is a negative replication of a predetermined end product.
- 97. A non-lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold, said mold defining a protruding undercut.
- 98. A non-lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold, said mold defining a stack feature having an aspect ratio greater than 50:1.
- 99. A lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold that defines a protruding undercut.
- 100. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold is a positive replication of a predetermined end product.
- 101. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold is a negative replication of a predetermined end product.
- 102. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 10:1.
- 103. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 15:1.
- 104. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 20:1.
- 105. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 25:1.
- 106. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 30:1.
- 107. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 40:1.
- 108. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 50:1.
- 109. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 75:1.
- 110. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 100:1.
- 111. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 150:1.
- 112. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 200:1.
- 113. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 250:1.
- 114. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 300:1.
- 115. The lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold of claim 99, wherein said mold defines at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 400:1.
- 116. A lithographically-derived micro-machined stack lamination mold, said mold including a layer having a feature with at least one isotropic wall.
- 117. A lithographically-derived micro-machined stack lamination mold, comprising:
a lithographically micro-machined feature in a first layer of a plurality of layers, said first layer's feature bordered by at least one wall having a predetermined first surface finish; and a lithographically micro-machined feature in a second layer of said plurality of layers, said second layer's feature bordered by at least one wall having a predetermined second surface finish, said predetermined second surface finish differing from said predetermined first surface finish.
- 118. A lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold, said mold defining a sub-cavity.
- 119. A lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold, said mold defining a sub-cavity in a layer of said mold, said sub-cavity in fluid communication with an outer edge of said layer.
- 120. A mold having a stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil layers that define at least one feature having an aspect ratio of greater than 10:1.
- 121. A metallic foil stack lamination mold that defines a protruding undercut.
- 122. A metallic foil stack lamination mold that defines a cavity having a protruding undercut.
- 123. A stack lamination mold comprising a plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined ceramic layers.
- 124. A stack lamination mold comprising a plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil layers.
- 125. A mold derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said derived mold defining a cavity therein and a feature having an aspect ratio greater than 10:1.
- 126. A mold derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said derived mold defining a protruding undercut.
- 127. A mold derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said derived mold defining a cavity having a protruding undercut.
- 128. A mold derived from a stack lamination mold having a plurality of layers comprised of metallic foil material.
- 129. A mold derived from a stack lamination mold having a plurality of layers comprised of ceramic material.
- 130. A mold derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said derived mold comprised of polymeric material.
- 131. A mold derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said derived mold a positive replication of a predetermined end product.
- 132. A mold derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said derived mold a negative replication of a predetermined end product.
- 133. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator having a wall thickness of less than 100 microns.
- 134. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator having a plurality of walls, at least one wall from said plurality of walls having a thickness of less than 100 microns.
- 135. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator having an aspect ratio of approximately 70 to approximately 300.
- 136. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator having a plurality of walls, at least one wall from said plurality of walls having an aspect ratio of approximately 70 to approximately 300.
- 137. A cast collimator derived from a lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator having a plurality of non-redundant cells.
- 138. A cast collimator derived from a lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator having a plurality of cells, each of said cells from said plurality of cells having a width of 1 millimeter or less.
- 139. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator having a non-planar side.
- 140. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator comprising a first side and a second side, wherein one of said sides is non-planar.
- 141. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, comprising a first side and a second side, wherein both of said sides are non-planar.
- 142. A cast collimator derived from a lithographically-derived micro-machined stack lamination mold, said collimator cast from a casting material mixed with plurality of dense particles.
- 143. The cast collimator of claim 142, wherein said collimator includes a cross grid.
- 144. The cast collimator of claim 142, wherein said collimator is a linear grid.
- 145. The cast collimator of claim 142, wherein said collimator is a scatter reduction grid.
- 146. The cast collimator of claim 142, wherein said collimator is focused.
- 147. The cast collimator of claim 142, wherein said collimator is unfocused.
- 148. A cast collimator derived from a stack lamination mold, comprising a first side and a second side, wherein one of said sides is non-planar and said collimator has a uniform thickness measured between said first side and said second side.
- 149. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, comprising a first side and a second side, and defining a plurality of cells that are focally aligned to a point at a predetermined distance.
- 150. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 500 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 4:1.
- 151. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 500 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 10:1.
- 152. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 500 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 20:1.
- 153. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 500 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 40:1.
- 154. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 400 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 4:1.
- 155. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 400 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 8:1.
- 156. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 400 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 16:1.
- 157. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 400 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 32:1.
- 158. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 400 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 40:1.
- 159. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 200 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 4:1.
- 160. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 200 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 8:1.
- 161. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 200 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 16:1.
- 162. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 200 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 32:1.
- 163. A cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold, said collimator defining a plurality of cells each having a width less than 200 microns and a height, a ratio of said height to said width greater than 40:1.
- 164. The cast collimator of claim 150, wherein said collimator is comprised of a polymeric material combined with tungsten particles.
- 165. The cast collimator of claim 150, wherein said collimator is comprised of ceramic material.
- 166. The cast collimator of claim 150, wherein said collimator is comprised of lead.
- 167. The cast collimator of claim 150, wherein said collimator is comprised of a lead alloy.
- 168. The cast collimator of claim 150, wherein said collimator defines a plurality of open passages that are focally aligned to a predetermined distance.
- 169. The cast collimator of claim 150, wherein said collimator is comprised of polymeric material.
- 170. The cast collimator of claim 150, wherein said collimator is comprised of polymeric material combined with a plurality of dense particles.
- 171. The cast collimator of claim 150, wherein said collimator is comprised of a plurality of dense particles.
- 172. The cast collimator of claim 150, wherein said collimator is comprised of a plurality of dense particles selected from gold, tantalum, and tungsten.
- 173. The cast collimator of claim 150, wherein said collimator is comprised of lead combined with a plurality of dense particles.
- 174. The cast collimator of claim 150, wherein said collimator is comprised of a lead alloy combined with a plurality of dense particles.
- 175. The cast collimator of claim 150, further comprising radiation detector elements attached to said collimator.
- 176. The cast collimator of claim 150, further comprising a plurality of radiation detector elements focally aligned by openings defined by said collimator to a radiation source at a predetermined distance.
- 177. The cast collimator of claim 150, further comprising a plurality of radiation detector elements aligned with openings defined by said collimator.
- 178. A method of forming a plurality of castings, comprising:
repetitively:
filling a mold having a stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined foil layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product, the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined foil layers defining a protruding undercut; and demolding the first cast product from the mold.
- 179. A method of forming a casting, comprising:
filling a mold having a stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product, the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers defining a protruding undercut; and demolding the first cast product from the mold, such that the mold is not substantially damaged.
- 180. A method of forming a casting, comprising:
filling a mold having a stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product, the stacked plurality of non-lithographically-derived micro-machined layers defining a protruding undercut; and demolding the first cast product from the mold such that the mold is not substantially damaged.
- 181. A method of forming a casting, comprising:
filling a mold having a stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product, the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers defining a protruding undercut; and demolding the first cast product from the mold such that the mold is not substantially damaged, the first cast product reflecting the protruding undercut.
- 182. A method of forming a casting, comprising:
filling a reusable mold having a stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product, the stacked plurality of lithographically-derived micro-machined layers defining a protruding undercut; and demolding the first cast product from the reusable mold.
- 183. A non-laminated cast collimator having a wall thickness of less than 100 microns.
- 184. A non-laminated cast collimator having a non-planar side.
- 185. A derived mold comprising a stack of layers derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold.
- 186. A derived mold comprising a stack of ceramic layers derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold.
- 187. A derived mold comprising a stack of polymeric layers derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold.
- 188. A non-laminated cast collimator derived from a metallic foil stack lamination mold.
- 189. The non-laminated cast collimator of claim 188, said collimator comprising a ceramic.
- 190. The non-laminated cast collimator of claim 188, said collimator comprising a polymer.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference in their entirety, each of: pending U.S. Application Serial No. 60/295,564 (Attorney Docket No. MICR0 1 V 1), filed 05 Jun. 2001, and pending U.S. Application Serial No. 60/339,773 (Attorney Docket No. MICR0 2 V 1), filed 17 Dec. 2001.
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/US02/17936 |
6/5/2002 |
WO |
|