Systems and methods are provided for fabricating composite parts. One embodiment is a method for fabricating a composite part, the method comprising: reducing a bulk factor of chips of chopped fiber while forming the chips into a pre-consolidated charge; shaping portions of the pre-consolidated charge into shaped volumetric charges that fit within a die; and compression molding the shaped volumetric charges within the die.

An ultrasonic manipulator for processing three-dimensional composite preforms is provided, including at least one end effector, the end effector having an ultrasonic cutting device, an ultrasonic machining device, an ultrasonic inspecting device, and an ultrasonic bonding device. A method for creating three-dimensional preforms for use in molding composite parts is also provided, and includes the steps of grasping a preform/towpreg, inspecting the composite object using ultrasound, cutting a preform from the composite object using ultrasound, and at least some of the steps of shaping the preform using ultrasound, machining the preform using ultrasound, assembling a plurality of preforms, bonding the assembled preforms together to create a preform charge, and placing the preform charge in an injection mold.

An ultrasonic manipulator for processing three-dimensional composite preforms is provided, including at least one end effector, the end effector having an ultrasonic cutting device, an ultrasonic machining device, an ultrasonic inspecting device, and an ultrasonic bonding device. A method for creating three-dimensional preforms for use in molding composite parts is also provided, and includes the steps of grasping a preform/towpreg, inspecting the composite object using ultrasound, cutting a preform from the composite object using ultrasound, and at least some of the steps of shaping the preform using ultrasound, machining the preform using ultrasound, assembling a plurality of preforms, bonding the assembled preforms together to create a preform charge, and placing the preform charge in an injection mold.

A method of forming a fiber-reinforced molding compound. The method includes establishing a melt stream of a source material including a first polymeric material having a first melt temperature in an extruder and dosing a composite material into the melt stream. The composite material includes pre-impregnated reinforcing fibers comprising reinforcing filaments and a second polymeric material having a second melt temperature greater than the first melt temperature. The composite material has at least 30% of the reinforcing filaments protected by the polymeric material such that the polymeric material surrounds each filament completely forming a barrier between it and an adjacent filament in the at least 30% of the filaments. The temperature of the melt stream at dosing is below the second melt temperature. The method includes forming a molding compound from the source and composite materials. The method includes dispensing the molding compound to produce a part.

A method of forming a fiber-reinforced molding compound. The method includes establishing a melt stream of a source material including a first polymeric material having a first melt temperature in an extruder and dosing a composite material into the melt stream. The composite material includes pre-impregnated reinforcing fibers comprising reinforcing filaments and a second polymeric material having a second melt temperature greater than the first melt temperature. The composite material has at least 30% of the reinforcing filaments protected by the polymeric material such that the polymeric material surrounds each filament completely forming a barrier between it and an adjacent filament in the at least 30% of the filaments. The temperature of the melt stream at dosing is below the second melt temperature. The method includes forming a molding compound from the source and composite materials. The method includes dispensing the molding compound to produce a part.

Provided are composite feedstock strips for additive manufacturing and methods of forming such strips. A composite feedstock strip may include continuous unidirectional fibers extending parallel to each other and to the principal axis of the strip. This fiber continuity yields superior mechanical properties, such as the tensile strength along strip's principal axis. Composite feedstock strips may be fabricated by slitting a composite laminate in a direction parallel to the fibers. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the slit strips may be changed by reattributing material at least on the surface of the strips and/or by coating the slit strips with another material. This cross-sectional shape change may be performed without disturbing the continuous fibers within the strips. The cross-sectional distribution of fibers within the strips may be uneven with higher concentration of fibers near the principal axis of the strips, for example, to assist with additive manufacturing.

Provided are composite feedstock strips for additive manufacturing and methods of forming such strips. A composite feedstock strip may include continuous unidirectional fibers extending parallel to each other and to the principal axis of the strip. This fiber continuity yields superior mechanical properties, such as the tensile strength along strip's principal axis. Composite feedstock strips may be fabricated by slitting a composite laminate in a direction parallel to the fibers. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the slit strips may be changed by reattributing material at least on the surface of the strips and/or by coating the slit strips with another material. This cross-sectional shape change may be performed without disturbing the continuous fibers within the strips. The cross-sectional distribution of fibers within the strips may be uneven with higher concentration of fibers near the principal axis of the strips, for example, to assist with additive manufacturing.

The instant application discloses, among other things, ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics. A rapid foaming process which may create a polymer product by saturating thermoplastic sheet or preforms, heating, and then forming into final shape, is described. The polymer product may include an integral solid skin. This method may be utilized with any thermoplastic. The material handling, saturation methods, and end products are also described.

The present disclosure includes systems, apparatuses, and methods for an optical system. In some aspects, the systems and devices may produce a wafer for use in the manufacture of an optical article. The wafer includes a laminate having a first layer that includes a first matrix material having a lower surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface and a second layer that includes a second matrix material, the second layer is coupled to the first layer and covers at least a portion of the lower surface or the upper surface. The first layer includes a first thickness at a central portion that is greater than a second thickness at an edge portion.

The present disclosure includes systems, apparatuses, and methods for an optical system. In some aspects, the systems and devices may produce a wafer for use in the manufacture of an optical article. The wafer includes a laminate having a first layer that includes a first matrix material having a lower surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface and a second layer that includes a second matrix material, the second layer is coupled to the first layer and covers at least a portion of the lower surface or the upper surface. The first layer includes a first thickness at a central portion that is greater than a second thickness at an edge portion.