Reinforcement system for additive manufacturing, devices and methods using the same

A print head assembly for additive manufacturing, comprising:

• a print head configured to deposit a plurality of layers during the production of an additively manufactured article;
• and
• a reinforcement head configured to form at least one reinforcement element on or within a working layer of said plurality of layers;
• wherein:
• said at least one reinforcement element comprises at least one reinforcement article;
• said reinforcement head comprises:
• a housing comprising an opening;
• and
• a biasing member within the housing;
• the housing is configured to receive said reinforcement article from a reinforcement store;
• the biasing member is movable between a retracted position and an extended position;
• in the retracted position the biasing member is disposed within said housing;
• in the extended position at least a portion of the biasing member biases at least a portion of the reinforcement article towards a surface of the working layer.

A print head assembly for additive manufacturing, comprising:

• a print head configured to deposit a plurality of layers during the production of an additively manufactured article;
• and
• a reinforcement head configured to form at least one reinforcement element on or within a working layer of said plurality of layers;
• wherein:
• said at least one reinforcement element comprises at least one discrete reinforcing article;
• said reinforcement head comprises:
• a housing comprising an opening;
• and
• an install member within the housing, the install member comprising an install surface proximate to said opening;
• the install member is movable between upper and lower positions within said housing;
• the install member is configured such that when it is moved from said upper position to said lower position, said install surface contacts said at least one discrete reinforcing article to drive the at least one discrete reinforcing article out of said opening, such that at least a portion of the at least one discrete reinforcing article is embedded into a surface of the working layer.