Additive manufacturing of continuous fiber thermoplastic composites
US11254048B2 · kind B2 · utility
0Cited by
5References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 2018 |
| Grant date | Feb 22, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y80/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Additive manufacturing systems and methods used for creating 3D parts from continuous-fiber reinforced composites such as, e.g., carbon-fiber or glass-fiber pre-impregnated tape are provided. The systems and methods lay tape in successive layers and cut each layer according to a 2D slice of a 3D CAD file. During the placement of each piece of tape, a laser welds the tape to other tape, eliminating the need for post-processing of each layer. By utilizing tape instead of large fiber-reinforced sheets, the systems and methods described herein reduce waste compared to known manufacturing techniques.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.