Be one of the first to 3D Print carbon fiber with the new Mark One. The Mark One 3D printer is now available for pre-order.
Designed to overcome the strength limitations of other 3D printed materials, the MarkForged Mark One 3D printer is the world’s first 3D printer designed to print composite materials. Announced last month, the Mark One prints out objects using a far tougher material: carbon fiber. Carbon fiber has long been a material of choice for automotive and aerospace applications due to its light weight and extreme strength. But so far, there is no such a printer existing that can print in carbon fiber – until now.
The Mark One uses a new 3D printing process called Composite Filament Fabrication (CFF) in combination with traditional FFF. Parts made with CFF are reinforced by continuous strands of fibers embedded in a thermoplastic matrix. The parts printed on the Mark One are up to 20 times stiffer and 5 times stronger than similar parts 3D printed using ABS plastic. Their strength depends on the type, orientation, and volume fraction of the reinforcing fibers.
Now you can print parts, tooling, and fixtures with a higher strength-to-weight ratio than 6061-T6 Aluminum. According to the company, the Mark One can print to a maximum size of 305 x 160 x 160 mm (12 x 6.25 x 6.25 in).
The magic is in the print head, says MarkForged. CFF utilizes a thermoplastic matrix that solidifies immediately after extrusion. CFF parts are ready for use as soon as they have finished printing. No nasty chemicals, no post curing.
Aside from carbon fiber, the Mark One can also work with other composites, like fiberglass, nylon and PLA plastic.
The printer will be able to achieve a layer resolution of up to 100 microns for materials such as plastic and nylon. For composite materials such as carbon fiber, the resolution is 200 microns. The price tag is initially $5,000.
