Abstract: A continuous reinforcement is disclosed for use in additive manufacturing. The continuous reinforcement may include a plurality of continuous primary fibers oriented in a general axial direction of the continuous reinforcement. The continuous reinforcement may also include a plurality of secondary fibers interspersed with the plurality of continuous primary fibers and oriented generally orthogonal to the plurality of continuous primary fibers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The method may include directing a continuous reinforcement into a print head, and coating the continuous reinforcement with a first matrix component inside of the print head. The method may further include coating the continuous reinforcement with a second matrix component, discharging the continuous reinforcement through a nozzle of the print head, and moving the print head in multiple dimensions during the discharging. The first and second matrix components interact to cause hardening of a matrix around the continuous reinforcement.

Abstract: A print head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a matrix reservoir configured to hold a supply of matrix, and a flop guide located within the matrix reservoir. The flop guide may be configured to at least partially surround a continuous reinforcement passing through the matrix reservoir. The print head may also include a nozzle connected to an end of the matrix reservoir downstream of the flop guide.

Abstract: A system for additively manufacturing a composite structure is disclosed. The system may include a support, and a print head operatively connected to and moveable by the support. The print head may be configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement that is at least partially coated in a liquid matrix. The system may also include a cure enhancer connected to the print head and configured to expose the discharge to cure energy to cause the, and a controller in communication with the heater and the cure enhancer. The controller may be configured to selectively activate the heater and the cure enhancer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a support, and a print head connected to and moveable by the support. The print head may have an outlet configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement at least partially coated in a matrix. The system may also include at least one doser located inside the print head and configured to at least partially coat the continuous reinforcement with the matrix, a sensor located downstream of the at least one doser and configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of matrix coating the continuous reinforcement, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the at least one doser. The controller may be configured to direct a feedforward command to the at least one doser to cause the at least one doser to advance matrix toward the continuous reinforcement during passage of the continuous reinforcement through the print head, and to selectively adjust the feedforward command based on the signal.

Abstract: A head is disclosed for an additive manufacturing system. The head may include an outlet configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement at least partially coated in a liquid matrix. The head may also include a low-pressure port located upstream of the outlet and configured to draw out only liquid matrix.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a support, and a print head connected to and moveable by the support. The system may also include an encoder configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of material passing through the print head, and a controller in communication with the encoder. The controller may be configured to selectively implement a corrective action in response to the signal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for severing a continuous reinforcement from a print head at conclusion of an event during fabrication of a composite structure. The method may include moving the print head a distance away from the composite structure that provides clearance for a cutting mechanism between an outlet of the print head and the composite structure, and responsively causing the cutting mechanism to make a first cut of the continuous reinforcement at a boundary of the composite structure. The method may also include moving the print head to a waste discard location, and responsively causing the cutting mechanism to make a second cut of the continuous reinforcement at a desired distance offset from the outlet of the print head.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a support, and a print head connected to and moveable by the support in multiple dimensions. The system may also include a cure enhancer mounted to the print head and configured to expose composite material discharging from the print head to energy, and a curing tool mounted to the print head downstream of the cure enhancer. The curing tool may be configured to expose the composite material to additional energy.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is disclosed for use in fabricating a composite structure. The additive manufacturing system may include a print head configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement that is at least partially wetted with a matrix, and a support configured to move the print head in at least one dimension during discharge. The additive manufacturing system may also include a cutting mechanism connected to at least one of the print head and the support. The cutting mechanism may be configured to selectively sever the continuous reinforcement from the print head. The cutting mechanism may include a cutting implement, a first actuator configured to move the cutting implement from a stowed position to a deployed position, and a second actuator configured to engage the cutting implement with the continuous reinforcement.

Abstract: A print head is disclosed for use in an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a first end configured to receive a continuous reinforcement, and a second end configure to discharge the continuous reinforcement at least partially coated in a matrix. The print head may also include a cutting module disposed between the first and second ends. The cutting module may include a blade, an anvil, and an actuator operatively connected to at least one of the blade and the anvil.

Abstract: A print head is disclosed for use in an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a receiving end configured to receive a matrix and a continuous reinforcement, and a discharging end configured to discharge the continuous reinforcement at least partially coated in the matrix. The print head may also include a compactor located at the discharging end and forming a tool center point for the print head.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a head configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement. The system may further include an external applicator configured to apply a matrix to the discharged continuous reinforcement, and a cure enhancer configured to expose the matrix to a cure energy at a side of the external applicator opposite the head.

Abstract: A print head is disclosed for use in an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a receiving end configured to receive a matrix and a continuous reinforcement, and a discharging end configured to discharge the continuous reinforcement at least partially coated in the matrix. The print head may also include a feeder located between the receiving end and the discharging end. The feeder may be configured to push the continuous reinforcement out of the print head at only select times during discharge of the continuous reinforcement and the matrix.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The method may include directing a continuous reinforcement into a print head, and coating the continuous reinforcement with a first matrix component inside of the print head. The method may further include coating the continuous reinforcement with a second matrix component, discharging the continuous reinforcement through a nozzle of the print head, and moving the print head in multiple dimensions during the discharging. The first and second matrix components interact to cause hardening of a matrix around the continuous reinforcement.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The method may include directing a continuous reinforcement into a print head, and coating the continuous reinforcement with a first matrix component inside of the print head. The method may further include coating the continuous reinforcement with a second matrix component, discharging the continuous reinforcement through a nozzle of the print head, and moving the print head in multiple dimensions during the discharging. The first and second matrix components interact to cause hardening of a matrix around the continuous reinforcement.

Abstract: A print head is disclosed for us with an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a matrix reservoir configured to hold a supply of matrix, and a flop guide located within the matrix reservoir. The flop guide may be configured to at least partially surround a continuous reinforcement passing through the matrix reservoir. The print head may also include a nozzle connected to an end of the matrix reservoir downstream of the flop guide.

Abstract: A compactor is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may include a housing connectable to the additive manufacturing print head. The compactor may also include a compacting wheel, and at least one spring disposed in the housing and configured to exert an axial force on the compacting wheel. The compactor may further include a piston moveable to adjust a distance between the housing and the compacting wheel.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a head configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement at least partially coated with a matrix. The head may have a matrix reservoir, and a nozzle connected to an end of the matrix reservoir. The system may further include a support configured to move the head during discharging, and a supply of matrix. The system may also include at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a matrix characteristic inside of the head, and a controller configured to selectively affect the supply of matrix based on the signal.