Methods and apparatus for compressing material during additive manufacturing

An additive manufacturing device, the device comprising:

• a first link configured to move along at least one of an x-axis, a y-axis, or a z-axis;
• a second link connected to the first link, the second link configured to move along at least one of the x-axis, the y-axis, or the z-axis;
• an applicator head connected to the second link, the applicator head having a nozzle configured to deposit material;
• and
• a roller connected to the applicator head that includes:
• a flat center portion having a constant diameter, the flat center portion configured to come into contact with material deposited by the nozzle;
• and
• tapering end portions including ends of the roller, the tapering end portions having reduced diameters compared to the constant diameter.

An additive manufacturing device, the device comprising:

• a first link, the first link configured to move along at least one of an x-axis, a y-axis, or a z-axis;
• a second link connected to the first link, the second link configured to move along at least one of the x-axis, the y-axis, or the z-axis;
• and
• an applicator head connected to the second link, the applicator head having a nozzle, a roller, and a bracket, wherein the nozzle is configured to configured to deposit material, wherein the roller is connected to the bracket, and further wherein the roller has an axial length and includes:
• a flat center portion formed about a midpoint of the axial length of the roller, the flat center portion configured to come into contact with the material deposited by the nozzle;
• and
• end portions including ends of the roller, the end portions having reduced diameters on opposite sides of the flat center portion as compared to a diameter of the flat center portion.