Additive manufacturing system having movable anchor guide

Abstract

An additive manufacturing system may include a head configured to discharge a matrix-coated reinforcement, and an anchor guide configured to connect with an end of the matrix-coated reinforcement. The additive manufacturing system may also include a support configured to move the anchor guide during discharging, and a cure enhancer configured to cure a matrix in the matrix-coated reinforcement as the matrix-coated reinforcement discharges from the head.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
 a head configured to discharge a matrix-coated reinforcement;   an anchor guide configured to connect with an end of the matrix-coated reinforcement;   a support configured to move the anchor guide during discharging; and   a cure enhancer configured to cure a matrix in the matrix-coated reinforcement as the matrix-coated reinforcement discharges from the head.   
     
     
         2 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor guide includes a mold surface configured to shape the end of the matrix-coated reinforcement. 
     
     
         3 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 2 , wherein the mold surface includes at least one of a flange, a rim, a ridge, a channel, a boss, or threads. 
     
     
         4 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 1 , wherein the support is configured to orient the anchor guide relative to a discharge trajectory of the matrix-coated reinforcement through the head to create a mitered end surface. 
     
     
         5 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 1 , wherein the support is configured to move the anchor guide during discharging such that an axis of the matrix-coated reinforcement has a three-dimensional trajectory. 
     
     
         6 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 1 , wherein the cure enhancer is mounted on the head. 
     
     
         7 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 1 , wherein the cure enhancer is mounted on the anchor guide. 
     
     
         8 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 1 , further including a die replaceable mounted in the head at a discharge end. 
     
     
         9 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor guide chemically bonded to the end of the matrix-coated reinforcement. 
     
     
         10 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor guide is mechanically connected to the end of the matrix-coated reinforcement. 
     
     
         11 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 1 , further including a controller configured to regulate movement of the support based on specifications stored in memory for a composite structure to be fabricated. 
     
     
         12 . An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
 a head having a die configured to discharge a matrix-coated reinforcement;   an anchor guide configured to connect with an end of the matrix-coated reinforcement;   a support configured to move the anchor guide during discharging;   a cure enhancer configured to cure a matrix in the matrix-coated reinforcement as the matrix-coated reinforcement discharges from the head; and   a controller configured to coordinate movements of the support and operation of the cure enhancer based on specifications stored in memory for a composite structure to be fabricated.   
     
     
         13 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 12 , wherein the anchor guide includes a mold surface having at least one of a flange, a rim, a ridge, a channel, a boss, or threads. 
     
     
         14 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the support to orient the anchor guide relative to a discharge trajectory of the matrix-coated reinforcement through the die to create a mitered end surface. 
     
     
         15 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the support to move the anchor guide during discharging such that an axis of the matrix-coated reinforcement has a three-dimensional trajectory. 
     
     
         16 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 12 , wherein the cure enhancer is mounted on the head. 
     
     
         17 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 12 , wherein the cure enhancer is mounted on the anchor guide. 
     
     
         18 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate the cure enhancer to chemically bond the anchor guide to the end of the matrix-coated reinforcement. 
     
     
         19 . The additive manufacturing system of  claim 12 , wherein the anchor guide is mechanically connected to the end of the matrix-coated reinforcement. 
     
     
         20 . A method of additively manufacturing a composite structure, the method comprising:
 discharging a matrix-coated reinforcement through a stationary die;   connecting an end of the matrix-coated reinforcement to a mold surface of an anchor guide;   moving the anchor guide in multiple dimensions during discharging of the matrix-coated reinforcement; and   exposing the matrix-coated reinforcement to energy to cause a matrix in the matrix-coated reinforcement to cure as the matrix-coated reinforcement discharges from the stationary die.