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 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 additively manufacturing a structure. The system may include a feeder configured to feed a thin-film material through the system, and a cutter configured to cut out of the thin-film material a pattern associated with a shape of the structure at a particular layer within the structure. The system may also include a placer configured to place the pattern in at least one of a desired location and a desired orientation.

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 system is disclosed for us in 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 include a wetting mechanism configured to at least partially wet a continuous reinforcement with a matrix at a location inside the print head, and an outlet configured to discharge the coated continuous reinforcement. The print head may also include a compactor located downstream of the outlet and configured to compact the coated continuous reinforcement, a cure enhancer configured to expose the matrix to a cure energy, and a temperature regulating element configured to regulate a temperature of the matrix at a location upstream of the cure enhancer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a nozzle configured to discharge a composite material, including a matrix and a continuous reinforcement. The system may also include a support configured to move the nozzle in multiple dimensions during discharge of the composite material, and a vibration mechanism configured to generate oscillations within the nozzle during discharge.

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 printing apparatus is for printing a three-dimensional object. The apparatus includes a frame configured to rotate about an axis; an operative surface mounted to the frame; a powder dispenser mounted to the frame, the powder dispenser being configured to deposit at least one powder layer onto the operative surface; and an energy source mounted to the frame for emitting at least one energy beam onto the powder layer. Rotational movement of the frame causes the operative surface to exert a centripetal force on the powder layer for securing the powder layer on the operative surface.

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 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: 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. 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 charged particle propagation apparatus has a generator including a vacuum chamber with a gun therein for discharging a charged particle beam through a beam exit. A higher pressure region adjoins the vacuum chamber at the beam exit and is maintainable at a pressure greater than a pressure of the vacuum chamber. A plasma interface located at the beam exit includes a plasma channel having at least three electrode plates disposed between its first end and its second end. A control system is adapted to apply a sequence of electrical currents to the electrode plates, which cause at least one plasma to move from the first end to the second end of the plasma channel, thereby pumping down the beam exit, and, in use, the charged particle beam is propagated from the vacuum chamber through the, or each, plasma into the higher pressure region.

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.