# US 11,110,654 B2 · System and print head for continuously manufacturing composite structure

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- Number: US 11,110,654 B2
- Document ID: US11110654B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/279,354
- Filed: 2019-02-19
- Published: 2019-10-17
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-12
- Assignees: Continuous Composites Inc.
- Applicants: Cc3D LLC
- Inventors: Tyler B. Alvarado; Trevor David Budge; Ryan C. Stockett
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110654B2

## CPC

- B29C 64/188: involving additional operations performed on the added layers, e.g. smoothing, grinding or thickness control (surface shaping B29C59/00; after-treatment of articles without altering their shape B29C71/00)
- B29C 64/118: using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
- B29C 64/209: Heads; Nozzles
- B29C 64/307: Handling of material to be used in additive manufacturing
- B29C 64/314: Preparation
- B29C 64/321: Feeding
- B29C 70/16: using fibres of substantial or continuous length {(non-woven fabrics per se D04H3/00)}
- B29C 70/384: {Fiber placement heads, e.g. component parts, details or accessories}
- B33Y 40/00: Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
- B33Y 70/00: Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
- B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing
- B33Y 30/00: Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING

## Abstract

A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a head configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement. The system may further include an external applicator configured to apply a matrix to the discharged continuous reinforcement, and a cure enhancer configured to expose the matrix to a cure energy at a side of the external applicator opposite the head.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for additively manufacturing a composite structure, comprising:
a nozzle configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement;
an external applicator operatively attached to the nozzle and configured to move with the nozzle and apply a matrix to the continuous reinforcement during discharging of the continuous reinforcement from the nozzle; and
a cure enhancer operatively attached to the nozzle and configured to expose the matrix to a cure energy at a side of the external applicator opposite the nozzle to harden the matrix,
wherein the cure enhancer includes:
an energy source;
a modifier located remotely from the energy source; and
at least one transmitter extending from the energy source to the modifier; and
wherein the modifier at least partially encircles the nozzle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the modifier is a hemi-toroidally shaped body.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further including an actuator configured to adjust at least one of a position and an orientation of the modifier.