Patent ID: 11964432
Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 12:
13. An ultrasonic compaction device for heating a material as it is being deposited on a tool or substrate, said compaction device being configured to be part of an additive manufacturing machine operable to move in at least three degrees of freedom, said compaction device comprising at least one ultrasonic horn having at least one guide hole through which the material passes before it is deposited and compacted, said at least one ultrasonic horn being ultrasonically vibrated to melt or flow the material and cause the material to fuse and be compacted to the substrate or tool, wherein the at least one guide hole is two guide holes that are symmetrically configured relative to each other so that the horn can be flipped and allow the material to go through either guide hole to be deposited.