Methods and apparatus for fabrication of 3D integrated composite structures

US11167483B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Eric G. Barnes · Rancho Palos Verdes, US
• Pedro A. Gonzalez · Palmdale, US
• Todd L. Szallay · Long Beach, US
• Steven J. Floyd · Monterey Park, US
• Sung S. Park · Rancho Palos Verdes, US
• Brett G. Morham · Manhattan Beach, US
• Cody J. Brown · Edmonds, US
• Reese R. Allen · Bothell, US
• Ryan L. Bischoff · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 10, 2019
• Grant date: Nov 9, 2021
• Expiry date: Sep 10, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B33Y30/00
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A 3D printing machine for fabricating high performance 3D integrated composite structures, where the machine includes a robot having a base portion, a robot arm and a rotatable connector secured to the arm opposite to the base portion, at least one source of an extrudable material, and an end-effector mounted to the rotatable connector and including at least one extruder module for extruding the extrudable material. The extruder module includes a nozzle assembly for extruding heated material out of the end-effector, and the end-effector is rotatable relative to the structure by the rotatable connector so that the nozzle assembly can be oriented normal to the part in different orientations without significantly changing a pose of the robot.