Near net shape additive manufacturing
An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a first vertically-extending support leg, a second vertically-extending support leg, and a gantry supported on the first and second support legs. The additive manufacturing apparatus also includes a work table movably supported beneath the gantry, a print head supported on the gantry, and a trim head supported on the gantry with the print head.
1. An additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
a horizontally-extending work surface;
a vertically-extending work surface including a removable board;
an applicator head including:
a nozzle configured to deposit material on the vertically-extending work surface while extending horizontally; and
a compression roller configured to compress the material deposited on the vertically-extending work surface.
2. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the board includes a plurality of pellets or beads secured thereon.
3. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the nozzle is configured to face the board while depositing the material.
4. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the board is removable with respect to the horizontally-extending work surface.
5. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the horizontally-extending work surface is positioned below a bottom edge of the board so as to support the material deposited on the vertically-extending work surface.
6. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a bed supporting the horizontally-extending work surface and the board.
7. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an extruder configured to melt thermoplastic material supplied to the nozzle.
8. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a sprocket secured within a distal portion of the applicator head within which the nozzle is secured, wherein the sprocket is rotatable to position the roller.
9. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the roller is secured to the sprocket with a bracket.
10. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the material includes a thermoplastic material and a reinforcing material.
11. An additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
a horizontally-extending work surface;
a vertically-extending work surface;
an applicator head including:
a nozzle configured to deposit material on the vertically-extending work surface while extending horizontally; and
a compression roller configured to compress the material deposited on the vertically-extending work surface; and
a trim head moveable above the horizontally-extending work surface and configured to trim the material deposited on the vertically-extending work surface.
12. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the horizontally-extending work surface comprises a support member that protrudes beyond the vertically-extending work surface when the nozzle is positioned so as to deposit the material directly on the vertically-extending work surface.
13. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the vertically-extending work surface is movably coupled to the horizontally-extending work surface so as to be moveable away from the nozzle while the horizontally-extending work surface remains stationary.
14. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the horizontally-extending work surface forms a shelf surface configured to support a bottom end of a part formed with the deposited material.
15. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the vertically-extending surface includes a board having a plurality of pellets secured thereon.
16. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 15 , wherein an opening of the nozzle is configured to directly face the board when depositing a first layer of the material onto the board.
17. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the horizontally-extending work surface is positioned lower than a bottom edge of the board.
18. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the board is removably connected to the horizontally-extending work surface.
19. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising a support wheel secured below the board.
20. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the trim head is connected to the applicator head.