Question 1

What is continuous-fibre 3D printing?

Accepted Answer

Continuous-fibre printing lays unbroken strands of carbon fibre, Kevlar or fiberglass inside a part along its load paths as it prints — like rebar in concrete. This produces components with strength that can exceed 6061 aluminium at a fraction of the weight.

Question 2

How is this different from normal carbon-fibre printing?

Accepted Answer

Most carbon-fibre printing uses short, chopped fibres mixed into the filament, which adds stiffness but not structural strength. Continuous fibre lays full strands exactly where the load is, giving true metal-replacement strength. Few services in Australia offer this.

Question 3

What machines do you use for composite printing?

Accepted Answer

We run Markforged FX20 and X7 systems, printing Onyx with continuous carbon fibre, Kevlar and fiberglass, and high-performance materials including ULTEM 9085 and Vega PEKK.

Question 4

Can 3D-printed parts really replace machined aluminium?

Accepted Answer

In many cases yes. Continuous-fibre parts can match or exceed the strength needed for the task while weighing far less, and can be produced in days rather than the weeks a machined part may take.

Continuous-Fibre & Composite Printing

Questions

Continuous-Fibre & Composite Printing FAQs