US 12,233,469 B2
Monolithic precursor test coupons for testing material properties of metal-injection-molded components and methods and apparatuses for making such coupons
Joseph A. Pecina, Lynnwood, WA (US); and Gary M. Backhaus, Lake Stevens, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Dec. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/457,201.
Application 17/457,201 is a division of application No. 16/425,751, filed on May 29, 2019, granted, now 11,219,960.
Prior Publication US 2022/0088690 A1, Mar. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. B23D 79/02 (2006.01); B23D 1/28 (2006.01)
CPC B23D 79/023 (2013.01) [B23D 79/021 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of removing flash from a gauge portion of a monolithic precursor test coupon using a flash-removal tool, the flash-removal tool comprising a tool body, extending along a longitudinal tool axis, a tooth, and an engagement surface, spaced apart from the tooth along the longitudinal tool axis, wherein the tooth projects from the tool body in a first direction and comprises a shearing surface, facing in the first direction and located an offset distance away from the longitudinal tool axis in a second direction, and wherein the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other and define a plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal tool axis, the method comprising steps of:
coupling the engagement surface of the flash-removal tool against a first precursor-coupon end of the monolithic precursor test coupon;
orienting the longitudinal tool axis parallel to a longitudinal symmetry axis of the monolithic precursor test coupon, wherein the shearing surface aligns with the flash; and
shearing, using the shearing surface, the flash from the gauge portion,
wherein the flash-removal tool further comprises a second tooth, and wherein the longitudinal tool axis is located between the tooth and the second tooth,
wherein the step of shearing the flash from the gauge portion comprises shearing a first one of the portions of the flash with the tooth and a second one of the portions of the flash with the second tooth,
wherein the monolithic precursor test coupon further comprises a first grip portion, a second grip portion, an intermediate portion, interconnecting the first grip portion and the second grip portion, and runners, directly interconnecting the first grip portion and the second grip portion and not directly connected to the intermediate portion; and
wherein the intermediate portion comprises the gauge portion.