World's First Carbon-fibre 3D Printer Introduced

The Mark One 3D carbon-fibre printer has been introduced at the SolidWorks World conference in San Diego.

The 3D printing trade is just about to increase, due to the expiration of one in every of the important thing patents on selective laser sintering on 28 January. So, while we're expecting some pretty exciting announcements in the close to future, this one certainly gets the ball rolling with a bang.

Called the Mark One, it is the creation of a brand new company called MarkForged. This doesn't suggest it does not dwell up to standard, although: MarkForged is owned by Gregory Mark, who co-owned a company called Aeromotions that builds computer-controllable aerodynamic carbon fibre wings for racing cars. Mark decided to get into 3D printing when he was in search of a better manufacturing approach than CNC machining, which is costly and time consuming.

The answer was 3D printing; and, since there have been no 3D printers that might print in carbon fibre, Mark determined to assemble a staff to invent his own.

Mark One is the outcome. Debuting at SolidWorks World 2014 with a working prototype, it has a special extruder, patent pending, for printing in carbon fibre strands, which, Mark says, are 5 instances stronger and 20 instances stiffer than the ABS plastic utilized in most 3D printing.

"The incredible energy of carbon fiber comes from the long, continuous strands that carry load down the complete part. That is why space shuttles, rockets and Formulation 1 cars are constructed from continuous strand carbon," the Mark One website says. "And it's how we print. Do not settle for plastic with a sprint of chopped carbon fill. Longer is stronger."

The car wings printed by the machine have been designed with a nylon outer shell and internal honeycomb structure, bolstered by a carbon fibre core. However the corporate expects that its clients will probably be pondering far outside the box of racing car elements, with potential purposes in prosthetics, tools and fixtures.

And it could actually print in a number of materials: as well as carbon fibre, it will possibly print in PLA, nylon and fibreglass. A kinetic print bed clicks into the same place each time, too, in order that you do not should fuss with adjusting it just so.

The Mark One will retail for US$5000 and is obtainable now for preorder on the MarkForged web site. You'll be able to see the printer's full specs here.


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