Abstract not available for
ZA201001097 (A)
Abstract of corresponding document:
WO2009037550 (A2)
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A method and an apparatus for automatically making conglomerated structures (6). The method comprises a) modelling a building structure and a containing shell about the structure by a computer using a CAD software thus obtaining a file; b) extracting sections of modelled structure and of modelled containing shell, by means of horizontal planes spaced apart of a predetermined pitch, such that a plurality of section planes is generated, said planes being sorted from below towards above with respect to the model of the structure and of the model of the shell; c) depositing by a moving unit (3) on a ground a bottom-to-top plurality of layers of granular material (22) alternate to a binding material liquid sprayed on the layers at filled areas corresponding to filled portions of the of the structure and of the containing shell, according to a predetermined path; d) vertically raising the moving unit (3) according to a pitch between a deposited layer and the following layer; e) repeating the step of depositing granulating material and repeating the step of spraying the binding material on a granulated material at filled areas of the structure and of the shell as many times as the planar cross sections into which said structure and the containing shell have been divided, each of said times for a different and consecutive section plane until the last layer (17) is complete; f) demolishing the containing shell (5) and removing unbound granular material (7) accumulated in the shell (5), thus releasing a conglomerate structure (6) that reproduces accurately said modelled structure.; The apparatus comprises a horizontal frame (1), a bridge (2) sliding on guide on the horizontal frame (1), a moving unit (3) sliding along the bridge (2) or integral to the bridge (29) and have a spraying head (20). The horizontal frame (1 ) is moved along uprights (4) by a step actuator. The apparatus comprises a plurality of "skirts" (10) that surround the containing shell (5) and are integral to the horizontal frame (1). Such skirts scrape the outer surface of the containing shell (5) collecting the granular material (21) deposited out of the shell (5). Such skirts (10) can comprise an brush-like edge (20) suitable for externally sweeping the containing shell (5).
