Abstract: A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite wiring harness. The method may include directing a plurality of conductors through a print head, directing at least one reinforcement through the print head, and coating at least one of the plurality of conductors and the at least one reinforcement with a matrix material. The method may also include discharging the at least one of the plurality of conductors and the at least one reinforcement with the matrix material from the print head, and exposing the matrix material during discharging to a cure energy to cause hardening of a sheath around the plurality of conductors.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 30, 2017
Date of Patent:
June 11, 2019
Assignee:
CC3D LLC
Inventors:
Blake L. Alfson, Kenneth Lyle Tyler, Ryan C Stockett, Tyler B. Alvarado, Trevor David Budge
Abstract: A method and apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects are disclosed. Two or more materials are extruded simultaneously as a composite, with at least one material in liquid form and at least one material in a solid continuous strand completely encased within the liquid material. A means of curing the liquid material after extrusion hardens the composite. A part is constructed using a series of extruded composite paths. The strand material within the composite contains specific chemical, mechanical, or electrical characteristics that instill the object with enhanced capabilities not possible with only one material.
Abstract: A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite wiring harness. The method may include directing a plurality of conductors through a print head, directing at least one reinforcement through the print head, and coating at least one of the plurality of conductors and the at least one reinforcement with a matrix material. The method may also include discharging the at least one of the plurality of conductors and the at least one reinforcement with the matrix material from the print head, and exposing the matrix material during discharging to a cure energy to cause hardening of a sheath around the plurality of conductors.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 30, 2017
Publication date:
May 30, 2019
Applicant:
CC3D LLC
Inventors:
Blake L. Alfson, Kenneth Lyle Tyler, Ryan C. Stockett, Tyler B. Alvarado, Trevor David Budge
Abstract: A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite wiring harness. The method may include directing a plurality of conductors through a print head, directing at least one reinforcement through the print head, and coating at least one of the plurality of conductors and the at least one reinforcement with a matrix material. The method may also include discharging the at least one of the plurality of conductors and the at least one reinforcement with the matrix material from the print head, and exposing the matrix material during discharging to a cure energy to cause hardening of a sheath around the plurality of conductors.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 20, 2018
Publication date:
May 30, 2019
Applicant:
CC3D LLC
Inventors:
Blake L. Alfson, Kenneth Lyle Tyler, Ryan C. Stockett, Tyler B. Alvarado, Trevor David Budge
Abstract: A head is disclosed for use with a manufacturing system. The head may have a housing that discharges a tubular structure, and a cure enhancer connected to the housing and selectively activated to cure the tubular structure during discharge from the housing. The head may also have a nozzle that discharges a fill material into the cured tubular structure.
Abstract: A head is disclosed for use with a continuous manufacturing system. The head may have a housing, a fiber guide rotatably disposed at least partially inside the housing, and a diverter disposed at an end of the housing. The diverter may be configured to divert radially outward a matrix-coated fiber passing through the fiber guide.
Abstract: A head is disclosed for use with a continuous manufacturing system. The head may have a housing configured to receive a matrix and a continuous fiber, and a diverter located at an end of the housing. The diverter may be configured to divert radially outward a matrix-coated fiber. The head may also include a cutoff having an edge configured to press the matrix-coated fiber against the diverter.
Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a structure. The system may include an additive manufacturing machine, a memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, and a processor. The processor may be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the additive manufacturing machine to discharge a path of composite material, and to make a determination regarding existence of support located at a side of the path of composite material. The processor may be further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to selectively cause the additive manufacturing machine to compact the path of composite material after discharge with a variable pressure that is based on the determination.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 20, 2017
Date of Patent:
February 26, 2019
Assignee:
CC3D LLC
Inventors:
Trevor David Budge, Kenneth L. Tyler, Ryan C. Stockett, Blake L. Alfson
Abstract: A head is disclosed for use with a continuous manufacturing system. The head may have a housing configured to receive a matrix and a continuous fiber, and a diverter located at an end of the housing. The diverter may be configured to divert radially outward a matrix-coated fiber. The head may also include a cutoff having an edge configured to press the matrix-coated fiber against the diverter.
Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a head configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement that is at least partially coated with a matrix, and a housing trailing from the head and configured to at least partially enclose the continuous reinforcement after discharge. The system may also include a heat source disposed at least partially inside the oven, and a support configured to move the head during discharging.
Abstract: A print head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a housing configured to receive a prefabricated woven sleeve, and a fiber guide disposed at least partially inside the housing and configured for insertion into the prefabricated woven sleeve. The print head may also include a diverter connected to an end of the fiber guide inside of a downstream mouth of the housing, and at least one cure enhancer located at the mouth of the housing.
Abstract: A print head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a nozzle, and a traveling anchor point mounted at a trailing side of the nozzle. The traveling anchor point may include an arm extending radially outward from the nozzle, and a plunger slidingly disposed in the arm. The traveling anchor point may also include an actuator configured to selectively move the plunger from a stowed position to an engaged position against material discharging from the nozzle.
Abstract: A print head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a nozzle configured to discharge a composite material. The print head may also include a source of tint configured to apply the tint to the composite material.
Abstract: A print head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a nozzle having an internal passage and at least one ellipsoidal orifice. The print head may also include a fiber guide disposed at least partially inside the nozzle and dividing the internal passage into a plurality of channels. A length of each of the plurality of channels extends in an axial direction of the nozzle.
Abstract: A structure is disclosed that is additively manufactured. The structure may include at least one continuous reinforcement, and a healing matrix associated with the at least one continuous reinforcement. Wherein a cure energy is applied to the at least one continuous reinforcement at a time of failure, the healing matrix is caused to cure and shore up the at least one continuous reinforcement.
Abstract: A print head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a nozzle having a base end, a tip end, and a cylindrical passage extending from the base end to the tip end. The print head may also include a compactor located at least partially inside of the nozzle at the tip end.
Abstract: A print head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a nozzle tip, a first matrix source configured to selectively supply a structural matrix to the nozzle tip, and a second matrix source configured to selectively supply a temporary support matrix to the nozzle tip. The print head may also include a reinforcement supply configured to supply a continuous reinforcement through the nozzle tip only when the first matrix source is supplying the structural matrix to the nozzle tip.
Abstract: An additive manufacturing method is disclosed. The method may include directing into a print head a reinforcement having a continuous axial core and integral branches extending radially outward from the continuous axial core. The method may also include coating the reinforcement in a matrix, and softening a portion of a track of the coated reinforcement that was previously discharged from the print head. The method may further include discharging from the print head a track of the coated reinforcement adjacent the previously discharged track of the coated reinforcement, such that cross-bonding of the integral branches occurs between the discharging track of the coated reinforcement and the softened portion of the previously discharged track of the coated reinforcement.
Abstract: A method is disclosed for continuously manufacturing a composite hollow structure. The method may include continuously coating fibers with a matrix, and revolving matrix-coated fibers about a non-fiber axis. The method may also include diverting the matrix-coated fibers radially outward away from the non-fiber axis, and curing the matrix-coated 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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 29, 2017
Date of Patent:
September 25, 2018
Assignee:
CC3D LLC
Inventors:
Tyler B. Alvarado, Trevor David Budge, Ryan C Stockett, John Swallow