System and method for additive manufacturing

A method of manufacturing a composite structure from reinforcements wetted with a matrix, the method comprising:

• receiving a virtual model of the composite structure, the virtual model having a required section and a sacrificial section;
• slicing the virtual model into multiple slices that are adjacent to each other along a length direction of the composite structure;
• selectively adjusting geometry of the sacrificial section to reduce perimeter variability between the multiple slices;
• determining points of the reinforcements passing through each of the multiple slices;
• generating at least one tool path including a sequenced subset of the points;
• causing an additive manufacturing machine to discharge the reinforcements along the at least one tool path;
• and
• cutting away the sacrificial section.