Two researchers, Francois du Rand and Tinashe Matyatya, from Vaal University of Technology in South Africa have recently been on secondment to Loughborough University in England. Their mission: Produce a prototype additive manufacturing machine to print composite materials with optimized fibre directionality.
The researchers explored two distinct approaches. The first involves developing continuous strand fibre filaments whereas the second contemplates a dual feed system.
The researchers reported significant advancements in printing continuous strand fibres within various polymers. As for the polymer and fibre dual feed heads, initial attempts saw the fibres breaking soon after deposition due to inconsistent delivery. However, the team mitigated this issue by firstly increasing the nozzle size. Secondly, by adopting a fluid dynamic approach, the reserachers identified nylon as an ideal 'carrier' for the fibre due to its less viscous nature and compatibility with the surface of Markedforge CF and Kevlar fibres. This approach led to successful prints of mechanical test samples.
After further experimentation, the researchers found that PETG polymers even more than nylon polymers emerged as a standout material, exhibiting impressive fibre deposition accuracy. Additionally, the team made noteworthy progress extruding fibres into filament, with remarkable precision, achieving diameters deviating by only 0.2mm from the average.
These novel approaches for printing composite materials show significant potential and are primed for transition to a 5-axis machine.
The researchers explored two distinct approaches. The first involves developing continuous strand fibre filaments whereas the second contemplates a dual feed system.
The researchers reported significant advancements in printing continuous strand fibres within various polymers. As for the polymer and fibre dual feed heads, initial attempts saw the fibres breaking soon after deposition due to inconsistent delivery. However, the team mitigated this issue by firstly increasing the nozzle size. Secondly, by adopting a fluid dynamic approach, the reserachers identified nylon as an ideal 'carrier' for the fibre due to its less viscous nature and compatibility with the surface of Markedforge CF and Kevlar fibres. This approach led to successful prints of mechanical test samples.
After further experimentation, the researchers found that PETG polymers even more than nylon polymers emerged as a standout material, exhibiting impressive fibre deposition accuracy. Additionally, the team made noteworthy progress extruding fibres into filament, with remarkable precision, achieving diameters deviating by only 0.2mm from the average.
These novel approaches for printing composite materials show significant potential and are primed for transition to a 5-axis machine.
