System and print head for additive manufacturing system

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A print head for an additive manufacturing system, comprising:
 a first end configured to receive a continuous reinforcement;   a second end configure to discharge the continuous reinforcement at least partially coated in a matrix; and   a cutting module disposed between the first and second ends, the cutting module including:
 a blade; 
 an anvil; and 
 an actuator operatively connected to at least one of the blade and the anvil. 
   
     
     
         2 . The print head of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a linear actuator configured to move one of the blade and the anvil against the other of the blade and the anvil and through the continuous reinforcement. 
     
     
         3 . The print head of  claim 1 , wherein the anvil includes a tip that is offset in a travel direction of the continuous reinforcement through the head relative to a central axis of the actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The print head of  claim 1 , further including a housing extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the actuator is mounted to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The print head of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cutting module further includes:
 a leading frame component having a central opening through which the continuous reinforcement passes; and 
 a trailing frame component having a central opening generally aligned with the central opening in the leading frame component; and 
   the blade and anvil are located between the leading and trailing frame components.   
     
     
         6 . The print head of  claim 5 , wherein the anvil is configured to pass through the central openings of the leading and trailing frame components. 
     
     
         7 . The print head of  claim 6 , wherein the anvil is slidingly mounted between the leading and trailing frame components. 
     
     
         8 . The print head of  claim 7 , further including channels formed between the leading and trailing frame components, wherein opposing edges of the anvil slides within the channels. 
     
     
         9 . The print head of  claim 8 , wherein the channels are configured to hold lubrication that facilitates sliding of the anvil. 
     
     
         10 . The print head of  claim 6 , wherein the blade is fixedly connected to the leading and trailing frame components at a perimeter of the central openings. 
     
     
         11 . The print head of  claim 1 , wherein the blade includes serrations at a cutting edge. 
     
     
         12 . The print head of  claim 11 , wherein the continuous reinforcement has a diameter that is greater than a whole number multiple of a diameter of each of the serrations. 
     
     
         13 . The print head of  claim 12 , wherein:
 a diameter of the continuous reinforcement is about 1.82E-4 in to 1.48E-3 in; and   the diameter of the continuous reinforcement is about 0.005-0.020″ greater than the diameter of each of the serrations.   
     
     
         14 . A system for additively manufacturing a composite structure, comprising:
 at least one of a gantry and a robotic arm that moves in a plurality of directions during manufacturing of the composite structure; and   a head coupled to the at least one of the gantry and the robotic arm and including:
 a first end configured to receive a continuous reinforcement; 
 a second end configured to discharge the continuous reinforcement at least partially coated in a matrix; and 
   a cutting module disposed between the first and second ends, the cutting module including:
 a blade; 
 an anvil; and 
 a linear actuator operatively connected to at least one of the blade and the anvil and configured to move one of the blade and the anvil against the other of the blade and the anvil and through the continuous reinforcement. 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the anvil includes a tip that is offset in a travel direction of the continuous reinforcement through the head relative to a central axis of the actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the cutting module further includes:
 a leading frame component having a central opening through which the continuous reinforcement passes; and 
 a trailing frame component having a central opening generally aligned with the central opening in the leading frame component; 
   the blade and anvil are located between the leading and trailing frame components;   the anvil is configured to pass through the central openings of the leading and trailing frame components; and   the blade is fixedly connected to the leading and trailing frame components at a perimeter of the central openings.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further including channels formed between the leading and trailing frame components, wherein:
 opposing edges of the anvil slides within the channels; and   the channels are configured to hold lubrication that facilitates sliding of the anvil.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the blade includes serrations at a cutting edge. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the continuous reinforcement has a diameter that is greater than a whole number multiple of a diameter of each of the serrations. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein:
 a diameter of the continuous reinforcement is about 1.82E-4 in to 1.48E-3 in; and   the diameter of the continuous reinforcement is about 0.005-0.020″ greater than the diameter of each of the serrations.