The Boeing Company
Systems and methods for creating feedstock lines for additive manufacturing of an object

Abstract:

A system for creating a feedstock line for additive manufacturing of an object comprises a prepreg-tow supply, a prepreg-tow separator, an optical-direction-modifier supply, a combiner, and at least one heater. The prepreg-tow supply dispenses a precursor prepreg tow, comprising elongate filaments and resin. The prepreg-tow separator separates the precursor prepreg tow into individual elongate filaments at least partially covered with the resin. The optical-direction-modifier supply dispenses optical direction modifiers to the elongate filaments. When electromagnetic radiation strikes the outer surface of the optical direction modifiers, at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation departs the outer surface at an angle. The combiner combines the elongate filaments and the optical direction modifiers into a derivative prepreg tow. At least the one heater heats the resin to cause wet-out of the optical direction modifiers and the elongate filaments in the derivative prepreg tow by the resin.