A pulling device is provided for a pultrusion device, having at least one clamping device that can be moved in a pultrusion direction. The clamping device is designed to frictionally seize a pultruded profiled strand to be conveyed, in order to apply a tensile force to the profiled strand. The clamping device has at least three clamping jaws that can be moved in relation to each other, for peripherally clamping the profiled strand.

A method and apparatus is disclosed for additive manufacturing and three-dimensional printing, and specifically for extruding tubular objects. A print head extrudes a curable material into a tubular object, while simultaneously curing the tubular object and utilizing the interior of the cured portion of the tubular object for stabilizing and propelling the print head.

A pulling device is provided for a pultrusion device, having at least one clamping device that can be moved in a pultrusion direction. The clamping device is designed to frictionally seize a pultruded profiled strand to be conveyed, in order to apply a tensile force to the profiled strand. The clamping device has at least three clamping jaws that can be moved in relation to each other, for peripherally clamping the profiled strand.

Improved composite fibers, and structural materials mixed with the improved composite fibers, are produced by an improved process that vertically texturizes and impregnates resin into the fibers without introducing any substantial amount of microbubbles in the resin. By using vertical impregnation and twisting of fiber strands with specific viscosity control, stronger composite fibers, in which substantially no microbubbles are trapped, are produced with improved tensile strength and lower variance in tensile strength, for use in strengthening structural concrete and other structural materials.

Improved composite fibers, and structural materials mixed with the improved composite fibers, are produced by an improved process that vertically texturizes and impregnates resin into the fibers without introducing any substantial amount of microbubbles in the resin. By using vertical impregnation and twisting of fiber strands with specific viscosity control, stronger composite fibers, in which substantially no microbubbles are trapped, are produced with improved tensile strength and lower variance in tensile strength, for use in strengthening structural concrete and other structural materials.

A head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The head may include a matrix reservoir, a first nozzle tip, and a second nozzle tip. The head may also include a tip changer mechanically connected between the first nozzle tip, the second nozzle tip, and the matrix reservoir.

A head is disclosed for an additive manufacturing system. The head may include a reservoir configured to hold a matrix, and a nozzle configured to discharge a continuous fiber received via the reservoir. The head may also include a plurality of supplies of different matrixes in fluid communication with the reservoir.

A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a nozzle configured to discharge a composite material, including a matrix and a continuous reinforcement. The system may also include a support configured to move the nozzle in multiple dimensions during discharge of the composite material, and a vibration mechanism configured to generate oscillations within the nozzle during discharge.

A tension mechanism is disclosed for use with a print head of an additive manufacturing system. The tension mechanism may include a first guide roller configured to receive a continuous reinforcement making up a portion of a composite structure. The tension mechanism may also include a second guide roller spaced apart from the first guide roller and configured to receive the continuous reinforcement in a straight-line trajectory from the first guide roller. The tension mechanism may further include a dancer located between the first and second guide rollers and configured to bias the continuous reinforcement away from the straight-line trajectory. At least one of the first and second guide rollers may have a concave outer profile configured to axially spread out the continuous reinforcement.

An additive manufacturing system may include a head configured to discharge a matrix-coated reinforcement, a support configured to move the head during discharging, and a cure enhancer configured to cure the matrix as the matrix-coated reinforcement discharges from the head. The additive manufacturing system may also include a controller in communication with the head, the support, and the cure enhancer. The controller may be configured to receive specifications for a structure to be fabricated, and to determine an anchor point from which the matrix-coated reinforcement will be pulled during fabrication of the structure. The controller may also be configured to regulate operation of the head, the support, and the cure enhancer to manufacture the structure and the anchor point.