Sep 13, 2016 | By Tess

3Dynamic Systems, a UK based company specializing in 3D bioprinting and bioprinters, has just unveiled its latest consumer product, a high-strength Carbon Fiber 3D printing filament which can be used on any standard desktop FDM 3D printer. The new filament is supposed to offer makers a much higher strength 3D printing material compared to standard ABS or PLA filaments, for instance.

According to 3Dynamic Systems, the company began their venture into carbon fiber 3D printing filaments through the creation of parts for the aerospace industry starting in 2014. Following that, the 3D printer company must have realized they were onto something so they are now offering their filament for makers to use on their own FDM 3D printers. Parts printed from the carbon fiber reinforced polymer blend are said to showcase high strength and rigidity, with an upper tensile strength of 105MPa (more than triple that of ABS or PLA).

The composite filament, as the company explains, is made up of a polymer blend which itself contains a number of thin-diameter carbon fibers of varying short lengths. These short fibers, which are tiny enough to be extruded through an FDM 3D printer nozzle, add an increased level of rigidity and strength to the polymer blend, which effectively reinforces 3D printed parts, especially once they’ve cooled down to room temperature after printing.

Dr. Daniel J. Thomas, who designed the hybrid polymer, explains: “We carefully mix carbon fibers with a special polymer blend, this batch is cured and then pelletized. Following this, the pellets are extruded into a 1.75mm filament, cooled in water, dried, accumulated and finally wound up and sectioned.”

According to Dr. Thomas, the filament can print at standard temperatures of 210-220 degrees Celsius and does not require a heated print bed. He also explains that the adhesion properties of the filament are exceptional, saying “even under mechanical testing, the polymer will fracture rather than delaminate”. The one thing to watch out for if you’re using the carbon fiber 3D printer filament, is to have a quality print nozzle to withstand the more abrasive quality of the filament—a less durable nozzle could wear with extended use of the filament.

If you’re wondering what you could print using 3Dynamic Systems’ carbon fiber composite filament, the versatile filament could be used to make parts for your drone or RC vehicles, for your bike, for working tools, and so much more. The material could also be used for low-volume production of parts, for rapidly manufacturing molds, and building any type of custom part.

Excitingly, the UK based 3D printing company is not stopping with the release of the carbon fiber filament, as they also plan to unveil a concrete filament in early 2017. With it, makers will be able to 3D print a part or structure from the filament, place said part into hot water and then cure it in an oven to have it turned to rock-hard concrete.

As the growth and advancement of desktop 3D printing technologies relies heavily on the development of new and innovative materials, we can’t deny our excitement at 3Dynamic Systems’ new and upcoming products. Be sure to stay tuned for the launch of the concrete filament next year!

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Materials

 

 

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ZitallyJK wrote at 10/3/2016 3:40:51 PM:

Received a sample of this material last week, it is brilliant. I have and old Makerbot version 1 and now it churns our structural parts. Amazing product and I am really happy.

Joey wrote at 9/14/2016 4:39:08 PM:

Excellent looking product, looks as if it beats conventional PLA and ABS hands-down. It is really nice to see how quickly 3D printing is evolving!

Egele-eye wrote at 9/14/2016 2:21:21 PM:

I love this kind of research-based product. It usually takes years for industry standard materials to get to the public level. But new companies like 3DS using 3D printing technology are able to do this in under a few months. Well done with this project and I can't wait to try this new enhanced filament at home very soon.

Melvin Kivel wrote at 9/13/2016 10:22:03 PM:

What a great story, I love these new 3D printing filaments. This would be great for my home quad-copter and robot projects. Great work.



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