Carbon Fiber With 3D Printing

[Thomas Sanladerer] He wanted to create 3D prints with carbon fiber. He was surprised at how inexpensive it was and that it worked very well. However, he did mention that the process was a little intense. Learn what he learned in the video.

He used a PLA that is more resistant to heat than the normal PLA. That’s important because the process uses heat and the carbon fiber resin will produce heat as it cures. It was fairly simple to create a mold, except for the material.

Wet sanding took only a few minutes because he wanted to get rid of any major imperfections. Next, a UV resin is applied to the mold in order to prevent the resin carbon fiber from adhering to the plastic. The three layers UV resin will remain on the mold.

Carbon fibre sheets come in various styles. [Thomas] explains. You need to use a respirator when you work with these resins, carbon fibers and mold release compounds.

Once the mold is ready, you place the carbon fiber resin sheets and the material. You place the special paper at the back, and then cover the entire thing with a cloth. The final step involves placing the entire thing in a vacuum-sealed bag, and gently heating it.

Although the first attempt was not perfect, it produced a good result. Second test was not as successful. It was only the third attempt that worked. It looks like a lot of work and, of course, the 3D printer is really only making the mold — this same process would be true of any carbon fiber process where you had a mold or something to wrap.

Carbon fiber isn’t always made with a mold, of course. It can withstand even electroplating.