Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a support, a discharge head connected to and moveable by the support, a supply of reinforcement, and a rotary tensioner located between the supply and the discharge head. The rotary tensioner may be configured to impart tension to the reinforcement and to generate a signal indicative of the tension. The system may further include a drive associated with the supply, and a controller in communication with the rotary tensioner and the drive. The controller may be configured to selectively adjust a feed parameter of the drive based on the signal to maintain a desired level of tension.

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 manufacturing a joint. The method may include depositing a first plurality of paths within a first layer. Each of the first plurality of paths may have a center portion, a first portion extending away from the center portion to at least partially form a first branch, and a second portion integral extending away from the center portion opposite the first portion to at least partially form a second branch. The method may further include depositing a second plurality of paths primarily within the first layer. Each of the second plurality of paths may have a center portion, and a first portion extending away from the center portion to at least partially form a third branch of the joint. The second plurality of paths may cross over and be bonded to the first plurality of paths to form spaced-apart bumps that extend into a second layer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a joint. The method may include depositing a first path of composite material within a first layer at the joint. The first path may have a center at a center of the joint, a first portion integral with the center portion and extending away from the center portion, and a second portion integral with the center and extending away from the center portion. The method may further include depositing a second path of composite material within the first layer at the joint. The second path may have a center at the center of the joint, and a first portion integral with the center of the second path and extending away from the center of the second path. The center portion of the second path may be parallel with, abut and be bonded to the center portion of the first path.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The method may include receiving from a user a sketch of a cross-section of the composite structure and a desired height. The method may also include automatically generating a virtual model of the composite structure having a plurality of layers, each with a thickness related to the height. The method may further include receiving from the user at least one infill pattern for at least one of the plurality of layers, and causing an additive manufacturing machine to deposit a continuous fiber along segments of the at least one infill pattern.

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 system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a support, a discharge head connected to and moveable by the support, a supply of reinforcement, and a rotary tensioner located between the supply and the discharge head. The rotary tensioner may be configured to impart tension to the reinforcement and to generate a signal indicative of the tension. The system may further include a drive associated with the supply, and a controller in communication with the rotary tensioner and the drive. The controller may be configured to selectively adjust a feed parameter of the drive based on the signal to maintain a desired level of tension.

Abstract: A print head is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing an object. The print head may have a housing, and a wetting module configured to wet a reinforcement with a liquid matrix. The print head may also include a matrix supply configured to hold a quantity of the liquid matrix and supply the liquid matrix to the wetting module.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing a layer of a structure. The method may include determining a surface representing the layer of the structure, and determining a seed tool path lying on the surface. The method may further include, at each of a plurality of seed points along a length of the seed tool path, determining an offset direction that is transverse to an axis of the seed tool path at each of the plurality of seed points and parallel with the surface. The method may additionally include generating a plurality of offset points, each of which is offset in the offset direction from a corresponding one of the plurality of seed points. The method may also include determining an offset tool path based on the plurality of offset points, and causing a machine to discharge material along the offset tool path.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing an object. The system may include a support, and a print head operatively connected to and moveable by the support. The print head may include a first module configured to discharge a material, a second module configured to compact the material, and an actuator connected to the second module and configured to apply a force to the second module. The system may further include a controller in communication with the actuator. The controller may be configured to determine an operating parameter of the print head, and to selectively adjust the force applied by the actuator to the second module based on the operating parameter.

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 system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing an object. The system may have a support and a first module operatively mounted to an end of the support and configured to discharge a material during motion of the support to form an object. The system may also have a second module configured to sever the material, at least a third module configured to at least one of compact or cure the material, and an actuator configured to cause movement of the second and the at least a third modules relative to the first module.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a structure. The system may include a print head to discharge a material, and a support to move the print head during discharging to fabricate a structure. The system may also include a receiver mounted to the print head to generate a signal indicative of at least one of a shape, a size, and a location of the discharged material, and a processor in communication with the receiver and the support. The processor may be configured to generate a data cloud of the structure fabricated by the additive manufacturing system based on the signal and based on a known position of the receiver at a time of signal generation. The processor may also be configured to make a comparison of the data cloud and a virtual model of the structure during discharging, and to selectively affect discharging based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include at least one support, and a print head operatively connected to the at least one support and configured to discharge composite material. The system may further include an auxiliary tool operatively connected to the at least one support and configured to receive the composite material discharged by the print head.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes an end effector and a support configured to move the end effector. The support may include a first link, a second link rotationally connected to the first link at a joint, and a motor rigidly mounted to the first link and configured to drive rotation of the second link relative to the first link. The support may also include a sole encoder associated with the joint and configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of the first link relative to the second link. The system may further include a controller in communication with the sole encoder and the motor. The controller may be configured to selectively trim operation of the motor based only on the signal.

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 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 structure. The method may include slicing a virtual model of the structure into a plurality of layers, applying at least one infill pattern to each of the plurality of layers, and distributing a plurality of points along lines of the at least one infill pattern. The method may also include sequentially grouping the plurality of points into at least one path, validating the at least one path for fabrication by an additive manufacturing machine, and causing the additive manufacturing machine to discharge material along the validated at least one path.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a structure. The system may include a motion platform, a print head, and a drive. The drive may include a base connectable to the motion platform, a slipring disposed inside of the base, and a drivetrain extending between the base and the print head.

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.