The Ricoh 3D report suggests that composite 3D printing technologies are on the brink of industrial production

Ricoh – a Japanese concern specializing in the production of office equipment, production printing solutions, document management systems and IT services, has been successfully operating in the industrial 3D printing industry since 2015, developing its proprietary line of SLS 3D printers. Together with Impossible Objects, the company prepared a report on breakthrough 3D printing technologies, which states that additive manufacturing based on composite materials may be on the verge of “a breakthrough as a popular production method”.

According to Ricoh 3D, composite materials have been used in traditional FDM / FFF 3D printing applications for many years, but problems related to the speed, cost and size of final 3D prints were real barriers to their mass implementation. At the same time, the emergence of the new CBAM technology based on two extruded fibers has the potential to revolutionize the industry and pave the way for the widespread adoption of this technological solution in the industry.

CBAM technology uses a process that combines carbon or glass fibers with powder printing to produce parts joined together by thermoplastic polymers such as PEEK and PA12. The long fibers in the composite strengthen the material, as do prestressed steel tendons in reinforced concrete.

The report also explores how reducing CBAM cycle times can reduce media consumption and encourage a more sustainable approach to additive manufacturing. Ricoh 3D claims that in some cases the reduction in cycle times can be more than ten times compared to conventional 3D printing.

This is how Mark Dickin, Engineering Manager at Ricoh 3D describes it:

Compared to short or staple fiber materials, CBAM long fiber sheets enable 3D printing of fully functional and strong point elements with evenly spaced fibers. PEEK and PA12 are combined with carbon or glass fibers to create flat, linear parts with profiled edges that hold together when rotated.

A great example of how CBAM’s long fiber technology can surpass traditional 3D printing materials is the manufacture of aircraft airfoils such as airplane wing and tail assemblies, as well as drone and marine propeller blades. Current 3D printing cannot provide the level of precision and material strength required for these applications. CBAM can, however, create stronger, lighter profiles in more complex designs and replace heavier materials such as aluminum.

The report also includes case studies where the use of CBAM technology has helped overcome barriers encountered in the implementation of composites in traditional 3D printing applications, with examples from the automotive, consumer electronics and competitive sports markets.

The Ricoh Report is available for download here.

Source: www.rapidfab.ricoh-europe.com