摘要：
A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component, comprising 3D printing a precursor comprising the automobile component (1, fig.1) and its tooling (2, fig.1), veneering the automobile component, and separating the automobile component from its tooling. The automobile component and its tooling may be connected by a support structure which connects the automobile component along an entire circumference of the automobile component or at two or more locations along the circumference. The support structure may be removed by dissolving the support structure in an acid solution or physically breaking the support structure away from the automobile component and its tooling using milling. An automobile component surface may be lacquered, polished, milled and/or sanded. A second independent claim for a precursor for a veneered automobile component, comprising the automobile component (1, fig.1) and its tooling (2, fig.1) as an integral unit. The automobile component and tooling may be formed of the same material and be connected by a support structure composed of a plastics material. The automobile component and/or its tooling may be composed of a different material to the support structure.
权利要求：
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component, comprising
3D printing a precursor comprising the automobile component and its tooling;
veneering the automobile component; and
separating the automobile component from its tooling.
2. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to claim 1, wherein the automobile component and its tooling are connected by a support structure.
3 A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to claim 2, wherein the support structure connects the automobile component and its tooling along the entire circumference of the automobile component.
4. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to claim 2, wherein the support structure connects the automobile component and its tooling at two or more locations along the circumference of the automobile component.
5, A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to claim 4, wherein the support structure comprises two or more tabs.
6. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to any preceding claim, comprising separating the automobile component from its tooling by removing the support structure.
7. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to claim 6, comprising dissolving the support structure in a solution.
8. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to claim 7, wherein the solution is an acid.
9. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to claim 6, comprising physically breaking the support structure away from the
10. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to claim 9, wherein milling is used to physically break the support structure away from the automobile component and its tooling.
11. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to any preceding claim, comprising attaching the tooling to machinery used to apply surface treatments to the automobile component.
12. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to any preceding claim, comprising lacquering the automobile component post- veneering.
13. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to any preceding claim, comprising polishing the surface of the automobile component post-laquering.
14. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to any preceding claim, comprising sanding the surface of the automobile component, e.g. pre- or post- veneering and/or surface treatment.
15. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to any preceding claim, comprising milling the surface of the automobile component.
16. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to any preceding claim, comprising
3D printing the precursor;
veneering the automobile component;
lacquering the veneer;
finishing the lacquer; and
separating the automobile component from its tooling.
17. A method of manufacturing a veneered automobile component according to claim 16, comprising 3D printing the precursor as a single part, the automobile component and its tooling being connected by a support structure.
18. A precursor for a veneered automobile component, the precursor comprising the automobile component and its tooling as an integral unit.
19. A precursor according to claim 18, wherein the automobile component and its tooling are composed of the same material.
20. A precursor according to either of claims 18 or 19, wherein a support structure connects the automobile component and its tooling.
21. A precursor according to claim 20, wherein the support structure is composed of a different material to the automobile component and/or its tooling.
22. A precursor according to either of claims 20 or 21, wherein the support structure is composed of a plastics material.
23. A precursor according to any of claims 18-22, wherein the support structure is easily broken, relative to that of the automobile component.
24. A precursor according to any of claims 18-23, wherein the support structure is dissolvable in a solution.
25. A precursor according to claim 24, wherein the solution is an acid.
26. A precursor according to any of claims 18-25, wherein the automobile component is composed of a plastics material comprising polycarbonate (PC) and/or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
27. A precursor according to any of claims 18-26, wherein the tooling is composed of a plastics material comprising PC and/or ABS.
28. A precursor according to any of claims 18-27, obtainable by
3D printing the automobile component with a first material;
3D printing the tooling with the same or a second different material; and
3D printing the support structure with a third material that differs to that of the
first material.
29. A precursor according to claim 28, wherein the third material dissolves in a solution that at least the first material is not dissolvable in.
30. A veneered automobile component, obtainable by a method according to any of claims 1-17, in which the automobile component is a clock finisher.
31. A veneered automobile component, obtainable by a method according to any of claims 1-17, in which the automobile component is a surround for a control panel.
32. A veneered automobile component according to claim 31, in which the control panel is selected from window controls, air temperature controls, sunroof controls and entertainment controls.
33. A veneered automobile component, obtainable by a method according to any of claims 1-17, in which the automobile component is a surround for a dashboard display, e.g. speedometer, odometer, tachometer or fuel gauge.
34. An automobile comprising a veneered automobile component obtainable by a method according to any of claims 1-17.