SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURING COMPOSITE PARTS
First Claim
1. A system for additively manufacturing a composite part, the system comprising:
- a feedstock source comprising a plurality of pre-consolidated tows, wherein each pre-consolidated tow comprises a fiber tow within a non-liquid binding matrix;
a tow combiner positioned to receive at least a subset of the plurality of pre-consolidated tows from the feedstock source, and wherein the tow combiner is configured to combine the subset of the plurality of pre-consolidated tows to define a macro tow; and
a feed mechanism configured to move the subset of the plurality of pre-consolidated tows from the feedstock source and into the tow combiner and to move the macro tow from the tow combiner.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for additively manufacturing composite parts are disclosed. Systems comprise at least a feedstock source and a feed mechanism. The feedstock source comprises a plurality of pre-consolidated tows, with each pre-consolidated tow comprising a fiber tow within a non-liquid binding matrix. In some systems, a tow combiner receives at least a subset of the plurality of pre-consolidated tows from the feedstock source and combines the subset of the plurality of pre-consolidated tows to define a macro tow. The feed mechanism moves the subset of the plurality of pre-consolidated tows from the feedstock source and into the tow combiner and moves the macro tow from the tow combiner. Methods according to the present disclosure comprise combining a plurality of pre-consolidated tows to define a macro tow, and dispensing the macro tow in three dimensions to define a composite part.
30 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for additively manufacturing a composite part, the system comprising:
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a feedstock source comprising a plurality of pre-consolidated tows, wherein each pre-consolidated tow comprises a fiber tow within a non-liquid binding matrix; a tow combiner positioned to receive at least a subset of the plurality of pre-consolidated tows from the feedstock source, and wherein the tow combiner is configured to combine the subset of the plurality of pre-consolidated tows to define a macro tow; and a feed mechanism configured to move the subset of the plurality of pre-consolidated tows from the feedstock source and into the tow combiner and to move the macro tow from the tow combiner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of additively manufacturing a composite part, the method comprising:
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combining a plurality of pre-consolidated tows to define a macro tow, wherein each pre-consolidated tow comprises a fiber tow within a non-liquid binding matrix; and dispensing the macro tow in three dimensions to define the composite part.
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21. A method of additively manufacturing a composite part, the method comprising:
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applying an adhesive to a pre-consolidated tow, wherein the pre-consolidated tow comprises a fiber tow within a non-liquid binding matrix; and dispensing the pre-consolidated tow with the adhesive in three dimensions to define the composite part.
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Specification