SYSTEM AND HEAD FOR CONTINUOUSLY MANUFACTURING COMPOSITE STRUCTURE
A print head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The head may have a matrix reservoir, and a nozzle base disposed downstream of the matrix reservoir. The nozzle base may include an opening configured to receive a plurality of continuous reinforcements coated in a liquid matrix. The print head may also have a cover configured to engage the nozzle base and close off a side of the opening, and a guide removably receivable within at least one of the nozzle base and the cover. The guide may include at least one divider configured to axially divide the opening into a plurality of adjacent channels that each receive at least one of the plurality of continuous reinforcements. The print head may further have a cure enhancer mounted at a trailing side of the nozzle base opposite the cover and configured to expose the matrix coating on the plurality of continuous reinforcements to a cure energy.
1 . A nozzle assembly for an additive manufacturing print head, comprising:
a nozzle base having an opening configured to receive a plurality of continuous reinforcements;
a cover configured to engage the nozzle base and close off a side of the opening; and
a guide removably receivable within at least one of the nozzle base and the cover, the guide having at least one divider configured to axially divide the opening into a plurality of adjacent channels that each receive at least one of the plurality of continuous reinforcements.
2 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the guide is a first guide; and
the nozzle assembly further includes a second guide that is swappable with the first guide, the second guide having at least one divider configured to axially divide the opening into a plurality of adjacent channels.
3 . The nozzle assembly of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of adjacent channels of the second guide are different from the plurality of adjacent channels of the first guide.
4 . The nozzle assembly of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of adjacent channels of the second guide are different in at least one of a number, a cross-sectional shape, a width dimension, a depth dimension, and a taper.
5 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of adjacent channels tapers in at least one of a width direction and a depth direction.
6 . The nozzle assembly of claim 5 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of adjacent channels tapers in both the width direction and the depth direction.
7 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of adjacent channels each have one of a square cross-sectional shape and a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
8 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover includes an inner surface coated with a low-friction material.
9 . The nozzle assembly of claim 8 , wherein the guide is fabricated from the low-friction material.
10 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover is L-shaped.
11 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein an edge of the guide at an outlet over which the plurality of continuous reinforcements pass is rounded.
12 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area at an outlet of each of the plurality of adjacent channels is smaller than a cross-sectional area at an inlet of each of the plurality of adjacent channels.
13 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein a depth and a width of each of the plurality of adjacent channels at an outlet is about 0.01 inch to about 0.10 in.
14 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle base includes a recess configured to receive the guide.
15 . The nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the guide is configured to cause the plurality of continuous reinforcements to converge into a ribbon.
16 . A print head for an additive manufacturing system, comprising:
a matrix reservoir;
a nozzle base disposed downstream of the matrix reservoir and having an opening configured to receive a plurality of continuous reinforcements coated in a liquid matrix;
a cover configured to engage the nozzle base and close off a side of the opening;
a guide removably receivable within at least one of the nozzle base and the cover, the guide having at least one divider configured to axially divide the opening into a plurality of adjacent channels that each receive at least one of the plurality of continuous reinforcements; and
a cure enhancer mounted at a trailing side of the nozzle base opposite the cover and configured to expose the matrix coating the plurality of continuous reinforcements to a cure energy.
17 . The print head of claim 16 , wherein:
the guide is a first guide;
the print head further includes a second guide that is swappable with the first guide, the second guide having at least one divider configured to axially divide the opening into a plurality of adjacent channels; and
the plurality of adjacent channels of the second guide are different from the plurality of adjacent channels of the first guide in at least one of a number, a cross-sectional shape, a width dimension, a depth dimension, and a taper.
18 . The print head of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the plurality of adjacent channels tapers in at least one of a width direction and a depth direction.
19 . The print head of claim 16 , wherein:
the cover includes an inner surface coated with a low-friction material; and
the guide is fabricated from the low-friction material.
20 . The print head of claim 16 , wherein:
the nozzle base includes a recess configured to receive the guide; and
the guide is configured to cause the plurality of continuous reinforcements to converge into a ribbon.