System for additive manufacturing
AssigneeContinuous Composites Inc.
InventorsNathan Andrew Stranberg, Andrew John Overby, Colin Hugh Hambling
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a support, a discharge head connected to and moveable by the support, a supply of reinforcement, and a rotary tensioner located between the supply and the discharge head. The rotary tensioner may be configured to impart tension to the reinforcement and to generate a signal indicative of the tension. The system may further include a drive associated with the supply, and a controller in communication with the rotary tensioner and the drive. The controller may be configured to selectively adjust a feed parameter of the drive based on the signal to maintain a desired level of tension.
Claims20
A system for additively manufacturing a composite structure, comprising:
- a support;
- a print head connected to and moveable by the support;
- a supply of reinforcement;
- a matrix reservoir configured to wet the reinforcement with a matrix;
- and
- a tensioner located between the supply of reinforcement and the matrix reservoir, the tensioner including an arm configured to pivot and thereby impart tension to the reinforcement.
A system for additively manufacturing a composite structure, comprising:
- a support;
- a print head connected to and moveable by the support;
- a tensioner connected to the print head and configured to impart tension to a material passing through the print head;
- a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of pivoting of the tensioner;
- and
- a controller configured to affect operation of the system based on the signal.
A system for additively manufacturing a composite structure, comprising:
- a support;
- a print head connected to and moveable by the support;
- a tensioner configured to impart tension to a reinforcement received at the print head, the tensioner including an arm having:
- a first end pivotably connected to the print head,
- a second end opposite the first end, and
- a redirecting device located at the second end and configured to engage the reinforcement;
- and
- a sensor connected proximate the first end of the arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.