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 method for additively manufacturing a composite structure, comprising:
- moving a print head with a support;
- directing a reinforcement from a supply around a first end of a tensioner arm to a matrix reservoir in the print head;
- wetting the reinforcement with a matrix in the matrix reservoir and discharging the matrix wetted reinforcement from the print head during the moving;
- generating a signal indicative of pivoting of the tensioner arm;
- and
- selectively adjusting operation of the supply based on the signal.
A method for additively manufacturing a composite structure, comprising:
- operating a system to move a print head with a support;
- imparting tension to a material passing through the print head using an arm having a first end pivotally connected to the print head and a second end engaging the material;
- generating a signal indicative of pivoting of the arm;
- and
- affecting operation of the system based on the signal.
A method for additively manufacturing a composite structure, comprising:
- operating a system to move a print head with a support;
- imparting tension to a reinforcement received at the print head using an arm having a first end pivotally connected to the print head and a redirecting device located at a second end opposite the first end;
- and
- generating a signal via a sensor located at the first end of the arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.