Post Cure: Continuous fiber injection reinforces 3D printed parts

Reinforce3D’s (Tarragona, Spain) patented continuous fiber injection process (CFIP) is a postprocessing technology for reinforcing 3D printed parts with continuous carbon fiber and resin.

First, a part with tubular cavities is designed and manufactured via 3D printing or another process.

Next, specially treated carbon fibers and liquid resin are injected into these cavities using the CFIP machine, called DELTA.

Finally, the part is cured at room temperature or in an oven, depending on the needs of the resin used and the limits of the outer component. The Reinforce3D team helps design optimal fiber trajectories to maximize mechanical performance and optimize weight.

This image shows a satellite antenna support demonstrator that combines two 3D printed parts made in polyamide and aluminum. Continuous carbon fibers and epoxy were injected into the optimally designed trajectories (highlighted in green) to add structural reinforcement to the part and to integrally join both parts, providing end-to-end fiber continuity. 

Read more about this process and potential applications in “Reinforcing hollow, 3D printed parts with continuous fiber composites.”