3D printing makes headway in composite manufacturing
September 19, 2019 - United States Of America
There is a rising emphasis on functionality in 3D printing as the industry shifts away from the stereotype of rapid prototyping and materials are not exempt from such scrutiny, according to a report by IDTechEx titled ‘3D Printing Composites 2020-2030: Technology and Market Analysis’. For certain applications composites have an important role to play, it says.
US-based IDTechEx offers independent market research, business intelligence and events on emerging technology to clients in over 80 countries.
In the field of metal additive manufacturing, metals like titanium with excellent tensile strength and low density are ideal for light-weight applications, and as such demand for these materials is continually increasing. However, for certain applications, metals are not sufficiently light-weight enough, which is where composites come into play.
Carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic polymers (CFRP) are already established materials where a high strength to weight ratio is key; the aerospace industry, automotive and transportation, and luxury sporting goods, have all utilised CFRP for this specific property.
Although 3D printing composites has been limited to date, this is to an extent a product of the inability of most additive manufacturing hardware systems to print continuous CFRP, as well as the propensity for increased nozzle wear, a press release from the company said citing the report.
Despite the difficulties previously encountered with 3D printing composites, new entrants to the market are increasing the awareness of how the advantages of 3D printing can complement and enhance the properties of a composite material.
To date, the market has been dominated by Boston based start-up, Markforged, but their dominance is increasingly being challenged by established market leaders and other start-ups alike.
One such company is the Italian 3D printing company Roboze, which unveiled its large format Argo 500 printer in 2017, and has since been experiencing exponential growth rates in sales.
Markforged has developed software and hardware to specifically enable continuous fibre 3D printing, but as of 2019, they aren't alone in the market anymore. Anisoprint, a Skolkovo-based 3D printer manufacturer, are emerging as the first direct competitor to Markforged after it unveiled a new composite basalt fibre reinforced thermoplastic filament for use with their Anisoprint Composer.
Having already developed its own continuous CFRP filament, Anisoprint turned its attention to basalt fibre. Basalt RFP is 15 times stronger than plastic, five times lighter than steel and 1.5 times stronger and lighter than aluminium. In addition, it is also radio transparent, making it ideal for non-conductive elements and insulators. (DS)
US-based IDTechEx offers independent market research, business intelligence and events on emerging technology to clients in over 80 countries.
In the field of metal additive manufacturing, metals like titanium with excellent tensile strength and low density are ideal for light-weight applications, and as such demand for these materials is continually increasing. However, for certain applications, metals are not sufficiently light-weight enough, which is where composites come into play.
Carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic polymers (CFRP) are already established materials where a high strength to weight ratio is key; the aerospace industry, automotive and transportation, and luxury sporting goods, have all utilised CFRP for this specific property.
Although 3D printing composites has been limited to date, this is to an extent a product of the inability of most additive manufacturing hardware systems to print continuous CFRP, as well as the propensity for increased nozzle wear, a press release from the company said citing the report.
Despite the difficulties previously encountered with 3D printing composites, new entrants to the market are increasing the awareness of how the advantages of 3D printing can complement and enhance the properties of a composite material.
To date, the market has been dominated by Boston based start-up, Markforged, but their dominance is increasingly being challenged by established market leaders and other start-ups alike.
One such company is the Italian 3D printing company Roboze, which unveiled its large format Argo 500 printer in 2017, and has since been experiencing exponential growth rates in sales.
Markforged has developed software and hardware to specifically enable continuous fibre 3D printing, but as of 2019, they aren't alone in the market anymore. Anisoprint, a Skolkovo-based 3D printer manufacturer, are emerging as the first direct competitor to Markforged after it unveiled a new composite basalt fibre reinforced thermoplastic filament for use with their Anisoprint Composer.
Having already developed its own continuous CFRP filament, Anisoprint turned its attention to basalt fibre. Basalt RFP is 15 times stronger than plastic, five times lighter than steel and 1.5 times stronger and lighter than aluminium. In addition, it is also radio transparent, making it ideal for non-conductive elements and insulators. (DS)