US 10,884,388 B2 · Systems and methods for controlling additive manufacturing

Abstract

A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a structure. The system may include an additive manufacturing machine, a memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, and a processor. The processor may be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to determine if a tool path to be followed by the additive manufacturing machine during manufacture of the structure is located in free-space or on top of another tool path. When the tool path is located in free-space, the processor may be further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to make a determination regarding a curvature of the tool path, and to selectively cause the additive manufacturing machine to fabricate a support for the tool path based on the determination.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A system for additively manufacturing a structure, comprising:

an additive manufacturing machine configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement wetted with a matrix and including at least one cure enhancer configured to expose the matrix to a cure energy at discharge that causes the matrix to harden;
a memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon;
and
a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
cause the continuous reinforcement to be discharged from the additive manufacturing under tension along a curved tool path in free space;
cause the at least one cure enhancer to harden the matrix during discharge and retain the tension within the continuous reinforcement;
and
selectively cause the additive manufacturing machine to fabricate a support for the continuous reinforcement only when the discharging under tension will cause the curved tool path to deviate from a desired location.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for controlling additive manufacturing

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for controlling additive manufacturing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12