B29C31/042

Additive manufacturing system having gravity-fed matrix

A matrix supply is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The matrix supply may include a matrix chamber configured to fluidly communicate a liquid matrix with a print head of the additive manufacturing system. The matrix supply may also include a supply conduit fluidly connected to the matrix chamber, a valve disposed within the supply conduit, and an inlet configured to pass a continuous reinforcement through the matrix chamber to the print head of the additive manufacturing system.

Method and apparatus for fabricating a composite object

A method for fabricating a composite object with a computer-controlled apparatus, and the apparatus therefor. The comprises a reservoir containing liquid, curable first material, means to selectively solidify the first material and means to selectively deposit a second material. The method involves the steps of selectively depositing portions of the second material, and selectively solidifying portions of the first material, such that the solidified portions of the first material and the deposited portions of the second material form the composite object.

Additive manufacturing system implementing hardener pre-impregnation

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.

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR STEREOLITHOGRAPHY THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING
20200316865 · 2020-10-08 ·

The present disclosure provides method and systems for printing a three-dimensional (3D) object. A method for 3D printing may comprise providing a mixture comprising (i) a polymeric precursor, (ii) a photoinitiator configured to initiate formation of a polymeric material from the polymeric precursor, and (iii) a photoinhibitor configured to inhibit the formation of the polymeric precursor. The method may comprise exposing the mixture to (i) a first light to cause the photoinitiator to initiate formation of the polymeric material, thereby to print the 3D object, and (ii) a second light to cause the photoinhibitor to inhibit the formation of the polymeric material. During printing of the 3D object, a ratio of (i) an energy of the second light sufficient to initiate formation of the polymeric material relative to (ii) an energy of the first light sufficient to initiate formation of the polymeric material may be greater than 1.

Soap reforming assembly
10767144 · 2020-09-08 ·

A soap reforming assembly includes a housing and a soap collection unit that is coupled to the housing for collecting and transporting pieces of soap when the pieces of soap are dropped into the housing. A heating element is coupled to the housing and the heating element heats the soap collection unit to melt the soap pieces into a fluid soap. A forming unit is positioned within the housing for receiving the fluid soap from the soap collection unit when the heating element produces the fluid soap. The forming unit cools and forms the fluid soap into a bar for bathing. A drawer is slidably positioned in the housing and the drawer receives the bar of soap from the forming unit. The drawer is positionable in an open position having the drawer extending outwardly from the housing to dispense the bar of soap.

Automated fiber placement and in-situ fiber impregnation system and method
10751954 · 2020-08-25 · ·

An automated fiber placement (AFP) and in-situ fiber impregnation system includes a feeder, a resin dispenser, and a compaction roller. The feeder feeds a tow of fiber from a fiber supply toward a forming tool. The resin dispenser deposits resin onto the forming tool in front of the compaction roller. The compaction roller moves over the tow along the forming tool so as to press the tow onto the resin such that the compaction roller impregnates the resin into the tow a direction away from the forming tool via compaction forces immediately after the resin is deposited by the resin dispenser.

METHOD FOR PREPARING A TEXTILE/RESIN COMPOSITE PART
20200247018 · 2020-08-06 · ·

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a textile/thermoplastic resin composite part, comprising the following steps: (a) providing a mould; (b) applying at least one composition (A) comprising at least one thermoplastic resin; (c) heating the mould; (d) applying the textile to the heated thermoplastic resin; (e) cooling the mould; (f) unmoulding.

SOAP REFORMING ASSEMBLY
20200070386 · 2020-03-05 ·

A soap reforming assembly includes a housing and a soap collection unit that is coupled to the housing for collecting and transporting pieces of soap when the pieces of soap are dropped into the housing. A heating element is coupled to the housing and the heating element heats the soap collection unit to melt the soap pieces into a fluid soap. A forming unit is positioned within the housing for receiving the fluid soap from the soap collection unit when the heating element produces the fluid soap. The forming unit cools and forms the fluid soap into a bar for bathing. A drawer is slidably positioned in the housing and the drawer receives the bar of soap from the forming unit. The drawer is positionable in an open position having the drawer extending outwardly from the housing to dispense the bar of soap.

AUTOMATED FIBER PLACEMENT AND IN-SITU FIBER IMPREGNATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
20190389148 · 2019-12-26 · ·

An automated fiber placement (AFP) and in-situ fiber impregnation system includes a feeder, a resin dispenser, and a compaction roller. The feeder feeds a tow of fiber from a fiber supply toward a forming tool. The resin dispenser deposits resin onto the forming tool in front of the compaction roller. The compaction roller moves over the tow along the forming tool so as to press the tow onto the resin such that the compaction roller impregnates the resin into the tow a direction away from the forming tool via compaction forces immediately after the resin is deposited by the resin dispenser.

ULTRASONIC INJECTION DEVICE

An ultrasonic injection device and methods of use are presented. The ultrasonic injection device comprises a housing, an injection nozzle attached to the housing, an ultrasonic vibration generator attached to the housing, and a pressure applicator. The injection nozzle has a number of openings configured to dispense a fluid. The ultrasonic vibration generator is configured to apply ultrasonic energy to fluid within the injection nozzle. The pressure application is configured to propel the fluid towards and out of the number of openings.