ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM HAVING MOVABLE ANCHOR GUIDE
An additive manufacturing system may include a head configured to discharge a matrix-coated reinforcement, and an anchor guide configured to connect with an end of the matrix-coated reinforcement. The additive manufacturing system may also include a support configured to move the anchor guide during discharging, and a cure enhancer configured to cure a matrix in the matrix-coated reinforcement as the matrix-coated reinforcement discharges from the head.
1 . An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
a head configured to discharge a matrix-coated reinforcement;
an anchor guide configured to connect with an end of the matrix-coated reinforcement;
a support configured to move the anchor guide during discharging; and
a cure enhancer configured to cure a matrix in the matrix-coated reinforcement as the matrix-coated reinforcement discharges from the head.
2 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the anchor guide includes a mold surface configured to shape the end of the matrix-coated reinforcement.
3 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 2 , wherein the mold surface includes at least one of a flange, a rim, a ridge, a channel, a boss, or threads.
4 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the support is configured to orient the anchor guide relative to a discharge trajectory of the matrix-coated reinforcement through the head to create a mitered end surface.
5 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the support is configured to move the anchor guide during discharging such that an axis of the matrix-coated reinforcement has a three-dimensional trajectory.
6 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the cure enhancer is mounted on the head.
7 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the cure enhancer is mounted on the anchor guide.
8 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , further including a die replaceable mounted in the head at a discharge end.
9 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the anchor guide chemically bonded to the end of the matrix-coated reinforcement.
10 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the anchor guide is mechanically connected to the end of the matrix-coated reinforcement.
11 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 1 , further including a controller configured to regulate movement of the support based on specifications stored in memory for a composite structure to be fabricated.
12 . An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
a head having a die configured to discharge a matrix-coated reinforcement;
an anchor guide configured to connect with an end of the matrix-coated reinforcement;
a support configured to move the anchor guide during discharging;
a cure enhancer configured to cure a matrix in the matrix-coated reinforcement as the matrix-coated reinforcement discharges from the head; and
a controller configured to coordinate movements of the support and operation of the cure enhancer based on specifications stored in memory for a composite structure to be fabricated.
13 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 12 , wherein the anchor guide includes a mold surface having at least one of a flange, a rim, a ridge, a channel, a boss, or threads.
14 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the support to orient the anchor guide relative to a discharge trajectory of the matrix-coated reinforcement through the die to create a mitered end surface.
15 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the support to move the anchor guide during discharging such that an axis of the matrix-coated reinforcement has a three-dimensional trajectory.
16 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 12 , wherein the cure enhancer is mounted on the head.
17 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 12 , wherein the cure enhancer is mounted on the anchor guide.
18 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate the cure enhancer to chemically bond the anchor guide to the end of the matrix-coated reinforcement.
19 . The additive manufacturing system of claim 12 , wherein the anchor guide is mechanically connected to the end of the matrix-coated reinforcement.
20 . A method of additively manufacturing a composite structure, the method comprising:
discharging a matrix-coated reinforcement through a stationary die;
connecting an end of the matrix-coated reinforcement to a mold surface of an anchor guide;
moving the anchor guide in multiple dimensions during discharging of the matrix-coated reinforcement; and
exposing the matrix-coated reinforcement to energy to cause a matrix in the matrix-coated reinforcement to cure as the matrix-coated reinforcement discharges from the stationary die.