Continuous fiber AM platform achieves cost-competitive, structural parts

Experts in digital, automated and cost-competitive serial production of continuous fiber components, 9T Labs AG (Zürich, Switzerland, and Lowell, Mass., U.S.) is highlighting new applications produced by the company’s Additive Fusion Technology (AFT) Red Series platform. The platform includes a design software compatible with commercial finite element analysis (FEA) solutions, a Build Module (additive manufacturing/AM) and a Fusion Module (compression molding) with the reported ability to process any thermoplastic continuous fiber unidirectional (UD) tapes available on the market.

Real-world applications to be featured include a luxury watch case, an aircraft overhead bin pin bracket and a pair of motorbike rear suspension rocker arms. Show attendees will have the opportunity to see 9T Labs’ state-of-the-art equipment in action at the booth at any time.

At the show, 9T Labs is also highlighting a new strategic collaboration with Drexel University (Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.).

The company’s work with partner Purdue University (West Lafayette, Ind., U.S.) will be featured in CAMX’s awards competition, for the partners’ joint efforts on a novel and sustainable design and manufacturing approach for an aerospace overhead bin pin bracket.

9T Labs will also be featured in two presentations:

• Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 9:30 a.m. in Room C107: “Enhancing Structural Performance of Upcycled Fiber-reinforced Thermoplastic Composites through Additively Manufactured Continuous Fiber Reinforced Preforms” by Garam Kim, assistant professor at Purdue University
• Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 11 a.m. in Room C107: “Additive Fusion Technology: A Novel Hybrid Manufacturing Approach Allowing Material Circularity for Structural Parts” by Yannick Willemin, director of business development at 9T Labs

9T Labs’ Red Series AFT aims to help customers reach their sustainability goals by introducing a new design and manufacturing standard for strong, lightweight parts at a low cost with minimal waste. The all-in-one manufacturing platform uses specialized software, hardware and sustainable processes to minimize waste and accelerate production compared to traditional composite manufacturing methods. One example of these sustinability efforts is an upcycled pin bracket designed for use on commercial aircraft bins. The brackets contribute to a lower aircraft with reduced fuel consumption, slash weight and cost compared to machined aluminum, and employ easier-to-recycle thermoplastic-based composites. Further, at CAMX, the company plans to unveil its inaugural Sustainability Report.

Visitors can learn more about 9T Labs’ commitment to climate neutrality at CAMX 2023, where the company will be displaying its first Sustainability Report.