Patent attributes
An additive manufacturing method is disclosed. The method may include directing into a print head a reinforcement having a continuous axial core and integral branches extending radially outward from the continuous axial core. The method may also include coating the reinforcement in a matrix, and softening a portion of a track of the coated reinforcement that was previously discharged from the print head. The method may further include discharging from the print head a track of the coated reinforcement adjacent the previously discharged track of the coated reinforcement, such that cross-bonding of the integral branches occurs between the discharging track of the coated reinforcement and the softened portion of the previously discharged track of the coated reinforcement.
