Near net shape additive manufacturing apparatus
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 on a horizontal table;
a print head configured to move in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction;
a gantry connected to the print head;
a trimming head configured to move in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction, the trimming head being connected to the gantry; and
a support member connected to the print head, the trimming head, and the gantry, wherein the support member is configured to, via a servomotor, move the print head and the trimming head along the gantry together as a unit.
2. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the trimming head is supported on a carrier that is movable along a rail.
3. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the print head is supported on a carrier that is movable along a rail.
4. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gantry includes a rail extending in the horizontal direction.
5. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein gantry includes a rail such that the print head is moveable along the rail in the horizontal direction.
6. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the print head includes a nozzle.
7. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the print head includes a nozzle configured to deposit thermoplastic material.
8. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the print head is supported on a carrier slidably connected to the gantry.
9. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the trimming head is supported on a carrier slidably connected to the gantry.
10. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the trimming head and print head are secured to each other by the support member.
11. An additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
a gantry;
an extruder connected to the gantry;
a print head connected to the gantry and configured to move along the gantry in a horizontal direction, the print head also being configured to move in a vertical direction;
a nozzle included in the print head, the nozzle being configured to deposit thermoplastic material;
a trimming head configured to move in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction, the trimming head being connected to the gantry; and
a support member connected to the print head, the trimming head, the extruder, and the gantry, wherein the support member is configured to, via a servomotor, move the print head, the trimming head, and the extruder along the gantry together as a unit.
12. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the gantry is supported by a support structure.
13. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein trimming head is supported on a carrier that is movable along a rail.
14. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the print head is supported on a carrier that is movable along a rail.
15. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the gantry includes a rail extending in the horizontal direction.
16. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein gantry includes a rail such that the print head is moveable along the rail in the horizontal direction.
17. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein gantry includes a rail such that the trim head is moveable along the rail in the horizontal direction.
18. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the print head is supported on a carrier slidably connected to the gantry.
19. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the trimming head is supported on a carrier slidably connected to the gantry.
20. The additive manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the print head is configured to print at an angle.