Continuous Composites Inc.

Colin Hugh Hambling

Trevor David Budge

Ryan C Stockett

Kenneth Lyle Tyler

Nathan Andrew Stranberg

Andrew John Overby

Tyler B Alvarado

Brian Dunham

Tyler Alvarado

A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a support, a discharge head connected to and moveable by the support, a supply of reinforcement, and a rotary tensioner located between the supply and the discharge head. The rotary tensioner may be configured to impart tension to the reinforcement and to generate a signal indicative of the tension. The system may further include a drive associated with the supply, and a controller in communication with the rotary tensioner and the drive. The controller may be configured to selectively adjust a feed parameter of the drive based on the signal to maintain a desired level of tension.

System for additive manufacturing

A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing an object. The system may include a support, and a print head having an outlet and being connected to and moveable by the support in a normal travel direction during discharge of material from the print head. The system may also include a first device operatively connected to the print head at a trailing location relative to the normal travel direction. The first device may be configured to expose the material to a cure energy. The system may further have a second device operatively connected to the print head at a location trailing the first device relative to the travel direction. The second trailing device configured to expose the material to a cure energy.

System for additively manufacturing composite structures

A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing an object. The method may include discharging a composite material from a print head to form the object. The method may also include drawing out fewer than all components of the composite material from the print head prior to discharging.

A head is disclosed for an additive manufacturing system. The head may include a first outlet configured to discharge a composite material to form an object. The head may also include a second outlet located upstream of the first outlet and configured to discharge fewer than all components of the composite material.

A compactor is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may include a housing connectable to the additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may also include a compacting wheel, and at least one spring disposed in the housing and configured to exert an axial force on the compacting wheel. The compactor may further include a piston moveable to adjust a distance between the housing and the compacting wheel.

System, print head, and compactor for continuously manufacturing composite structure

A method is disclosed for severing a continuous reinforcement from a print head at conclusion of an event during fabrication of a composite structure. The method may include moving the print head a distance away from the composite structure that provides clearance for a cutting mechanism between an outlet of the print head and the composite structure, and responsively causing the cutting mechanism to make a first cut of the continuous reinforcement at a boundary of the composite structure. The method may also include moving the print head to a waste discard location, and responsively causing the cutting mechanism to make a second cut of the continuous reinforcement at a desired distance offset from the outlet of the print head.

Fiber management arrangement and method for additive manufacturing system

A head is disclosed for an additive manufacturing system. The head may include an outlet configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement at least partially coated in a liquid matrix. The head may also include a low-pressure port located upstream of the outlet and configured to draw out only liquid matrix.

A print head is disclosed for use in an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a receiving end configured to receive a matrix and a continuous reinforcement, and a discharging end configured to discharge the continuous reinforcement at least partially coated in the matrix. The print head may also include a compactor located at the discharging end and forming a tool center point for the print head.

System and print head for additive manufacturing system

An additive manufacturing system is disclosed for use in fabricating a composite structure. The additive manufacturing system may include a print head configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement that is at least partially wetted with a matrix, and a support configured to move the print head in at least one dimension during discharge. The additive manufacturing system may also include a cutting mechanism connected to at least one of the print head and the support. The cutting mechanism may be configured to selectively sever the continuous reinforcement from the print head. The cutting mechanism may include a cutting implement, a first actuator configured to move the cutting implement from a stowed position to a deployed position, and a second actuator configured to engage the cutting implement with the continuous reinforcement.

Growing community of inventors

Medina, WA, United States of America

Colin Hugh Hambling