Additive manufacturing system having finish-follower
An additive manufacturing system is disclosed. The additive manufacturing system may include a matrix reservoir, a primary nozzle fluidly connected to the matrix reservoir, and a primary cure enhancer operatively connected to at least one of the matrix reservoir and the primary nozzle. The primary cure enhancer may be configured to direct a cure energy toward a tip of the primary nozzle. The additive manufacturing system may also include an auxiliary nozzle, an arm configured to mount the auxiliary nozzle at a trailing side of the primary nozzle, and a passage extending from the matrix reservoir to the auxiliary nozzle.
1. A follower for an additive manufacturing system having a print head, the follower comprising:
a matrix inlet passage;
a nozzle connected to a distal end of the matrix inlet passage;
a pivoting arm configured to connect the nozzle to a trailing side of the print head and to pivot relative to the print head;
a cure enhancer mounted to the arm at a location downstream of the nozzle; and
a squeegee blade mounted to the arm at a location between the nozzle and the cure enhancer, the squeegee blade being generally aligned with a central axis of the nozzle wherein the pivoting arm is configured to pivot the nozzle, cure enhancer and squeegee blade relative to the print head.
2. The follower of claim 1 , wherein:
the squeegee blade is a first blade; and
the follower further includes a second blade disposed upstream of the nozzle.
3. The follower of claim 1 , wherein the squeegee blade includes:
a flexible outer membrane; and
a smart fluid disposed within the flexible outer membrane.
4. The follower of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle includes a plurality of orifices.
5. The follower of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of orifices are connected together in a chain by way of at least one hinge.
6. The follower of claim 5 , further including an actuator configured to move the chain.
7. The follower of claim 1 , further including a hood that flares outward around the cure enhancer.
8. The follower of claim 2 , wherein:
the first blade is positioned a first distance above material discharged from the print head; and
the second blade is positioned a second distance above the material that is greater than the first distance.
9. The follower of claim 1 , wherein the squeegee blade is flat, resilient, and oriented in general alignment with a central axis of the nozzle.
10. An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
a matrix reservoir;
a primary nozzle fluidly connected to the matrix reservoir;
a primary cure enhancer operatively connected to at least one of the matrix reservoir and the primary nozzle, the primary cure enhancer configured to expose material discharging from a tip of the primary nozzle to light after discharge;
a follower comprising:
a pivoting arm;
an auxiliary nozzle mounted to the arm;
a passage extending from the matrix reservoir to the auxiliary nozzle;
an auxiliary cure enhancer mounted to the arm at a location downstream of the auxiliary nozzle; and
a squeegee blade mounted to the arm at a location between the auxiliary nozzle and the auxiliary cure enhancer;
wherein the pivoting arm is configured to pivot the auxiliary nozzle, auxiliary cure enhancer, and squeegee blade relative to the primary nozzle.
11. The additive manufacturing system of claim 10 , wherein:
the squeegee blade is a first blade; and
the additive manufacturing system further includes a second blade disposed upstream of the auxiliary nozzle.
12. The additive manufacturing system of claim 10 , wherein the squeegee blade includes:
a flexible outer membrane; and
a smart fluid disposed within the flexible outer membrane.
13. The additive manufacturing system of claim 10 , further including a hood mounted to the arm that flares outward around the auxiliary cure enhancer at a downstream side of the primary nozzle and moves together with the auxiliary cure enhancer.
14. The additive manufacturing system of claim 10 , wherein the auxiliary nozzle includes a plurality of orifices.
15. The additive manufacturing system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of orifices are connected together in a chain by way of at least one hinge.
16. The additive manufacturing system of claim 15 , further including an actuator configured to move the chain.
17. The additive manufacturing system of claim 10 , wherein:
the primary nozzle is configured to discharge a matrix-wetted reinforcement; and
the auxiliary nozzle is configured to discharge only a matrix.
18. An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
a moveable support;
a print head connected to the moveable support and configured to discharge a matrix-wetted reinforcement; and
a follower connected to trail behind the print head and to pivot relative to the print head by way of an arm, the follower including:
nozzle mounted to the arm and configured to discharge only a matrix;
a cure enhancer mounted to the arm at a side of the nozzle opposite the print head and configured to expose the matrix to light after discharge from the nozzle; and
a squeegee blade mounted to the arm at a location between the nozzle and the cure enhancer wherein the pivoting arm is configured to pivot the nozzle, cure enhancer and squeegee blade relative to the print head.