Above: Bell cranks created with Composite based additive manufacturing (CBAM) process/Image Source: Impossible Objects
Impossible Objects, a 3D printer and materials company, and Ricoh 3D, the additive manufacturing subsidiary of leading technology and digital services company Ricoh, have entered into a new partnership to make Carbon Fibre composite materials for printing on Composite Based Additive Manufacturing (CBAM) process. The new material options new material options remove barriers to printing parts for drones, aircraft, automobiles, athletic gear and more.
These extremely strong and lightweight Carbon Fibre composite material parts will be available to Ricoh 3D’s customers in Europe for the first time.
Composite Based Additive Manufacturing (CBAM) Process
Above: Impossible Objects’ Composite Based Additive Manufacturing (CBAM) 3D Printer/Image Source: Impossible Objects
Impossible Objects’ revolutionary Composite Based Additive Manufacturing (CBAM) process enables the production of stronger parts at costs lower than any other 3D printing process. Carbon Fibre composites boast key advantages for 3D printed parts, including superior strength-to-weight ratios, fewer geometric restrictions, superior high-temperature performance, and greater chemical resistance.
Mark Dickin, Additive Manufacturing & Molding Engineering Manager at Ricoh 3D said, “Carbon Fibre composites are set to be an area of huge growth in additive manufacturing in the coming years. These new materials will change the game across a number of industries. Impossible Objects’ Composite Based Additive Manufacturing process is nothing short of a revolution in the way composites are manufactured, so we are proud to be working with the company to be at the forefront of the European movement.”
Above: Samples 3D printed in Carbon Fibre Composites/Image Source: Ricoh 3D
Composites including Carbon Fiber PEEK and Carbon Fiber PA12 are available through Ricoh 3D’s AM service bureau immediately.
According to Robert Swartz, chairman and founder of Impossible Objects, “Our Composite Based Additive Manufacturing process represents a significant leap forward in 3D printing, with faster speeds, better material properties and wider material selection. Fortune 100 companies, government agencies, and more have already put it to work to create everything from car and aircraft parts to athletic gear. By collaborating with the team at Ricoh 3D who recognizes the transformative potential of additive manufacturing, together we will bring these competitive advantages to more organizations across Europe.”
Impossible Objects’ proprietary Composite Based Additive Manufacturing technology can produce parts up to ten times faster than conventional fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing. By combining high-performance polymers like Nylon and PEEK with carbon fiber and fiberglass sheets, parts printed with Impossible Objects machines are stronger, lighter, have better dimensional accuracy, and have better temperature performance than what’s possible with conventional 3D printing methods. The CBAM process can create strong and resilient fine or flat parts, which is important for applications like drones; these have been impossible with FDM and FFF technologies due to the short, chopped fiber formation and lamination between layers, which cause parts to fall apart under force.
Ricoh 3D is the latest industry partner to join forces with Impossible Objects to drive additive manufacturing forward. Other collaborators include chemical giant BASF and TIGER Coatings.
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