While carbon fiber 3D printing has been around for the better part of a decade, it has rapidly risen to prominence in the last few years. Today, many incumbent 3D printer manufacturers are rushing to capitalize on the term “Carbon Fiber 3D Printing” but not all carbon fiber is created equal.
This white paper covers the basics of carbon fiber in the 3D printing space — where we’ll define the different types, examine the challenges, benefits, implementation considerations, and more. Within carbon fiber printing, we’ll take a deep dive into the benefits of Carbon Fiber Reinforcement (CFR) from Markforged.
Metal X System
The Metal X is a revolutionary 3D printer that prints metal powder bound in a plastic matrix to eliminate safety risks associated with traditional metal 3D printing methods while enabling new features like close-cell infill for reduced part weight and cost. It’s up to 10x less expensive than alternative metal additive manufacturing technologies — and up to 100x less than traditional fabrication technologies like machining or casting. Affordable, reliable, and easy to use, the Metal X print system gives you everything you need to go from design to fully functional metal parts faster than ever before.
Printer Properties
- Process Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing (ADAM
- Build Volume 300 x 220 x 180 mm (11.8 x 8.7 x 7.1 in)
- Machine Size 575 x 467 x 1,120 mm (22.7 x 18.4 x 44.1 in), 75 kg (160 lbs)
- Print Chamber Heated
- Print Bed Heated, vacuum-sealed print sheet, auto bed leveling
- Print System Two nozzles — Metal material and release material
- Power Requirements 100–120 / 200-240 VAC (12A / 6A), IEC 60320 type C20
- RF Module Operating Band 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Standards 802.11 b/g/n
Materials
- Metal Material Stainless steel (17-4 PH, 316L*), Tool steel (H13, A2, D2), Inconel 625, Copper, Titanium-6Al-4V*
- Release Material Ceramic (consumed at 1:10 ratio to metal spools, on average)
- Media (Spools) Filament fed, bound powder
Part Properties
- Max Part Size 250 x 183 x 150 mm (9.8 x 7.2 x 5.9 in), 10kg
- Supports Metal material with ceramic release layer
- Layer Height 50µm and 125µm post-sinter
Software
- Supplied Software Eiger Cloud (Other options available at cost)
- Security Two-factor authentication, org admin access, single sign-on
Dimensions
X7 (Gen 2)
The X7 prints industrial-grade manufacturing jigs, jaws, tools, fixtures, and end-use parts. Designed from the ground up to survive the production floor environment and capable of printing parts stronger than machined aluminum for a fraction of the cost, the X7 delivers unparalleled surface finish, build size, and reliability. Accelerate part production with Turbo Print, our fastest print mode — only available on the X7.
Printer Properties
- Process Fused filament fabrication, Continuous Filament Fabrication
- Build Volume 330 x 270 x 200 mm (13 x 10.6 x 7.9 in)
- Weight 48 kg (106 lbs)
- Machine Footprint 584 x 483 x 914 mm (23 x 19 x 36 in)
- Print Bed Kinematic coupling — flat to within 80 μm
- Laser In-process inspection, active print calibration, bed leveling
- Extrusion System Second-generation extruder, out-of-plastic and out-of-fiber detection
- Power 100–240 VAC, 150 W (2 A peak)
- RF Module Operating Band 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Standards 802.11 b/g/n
Materials
- Plastics Available Onyx, Onyx FR, Onyx ESD, Nylon White
- Fibers Available Carbon fiber, fiberglass, Kevlar®, HSHT fiberglass
- Tensile Strength 800 MPa (25.8x ABS, 2.6x 6061-T6 Aluminum) *
- Tensile Modulus 60 GPa (26.9x ABS, 0.87x 6061-T6 Aluminum) *
Part Properties
- Layer Height 100 μm default, 50 μm minimum, 250 µm maximum
- Infill Closed cell infill: multiple geometries available
Software
- Supplied Software Eiger Cloud (Other options available at cost)
- Security Two-factor authentication, org admin access, single sign-on
Dimensions
X5 (Gen 2)
The X5 utilizes fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic to create parts 10x as strong as standard printing plastics. Our laserassisted, durably built large format machine reliably produces high strength parts at an affordable price point in any environment.
Printer Properties
- Process Fused filament fabrication, Continuous Filament Fabrication
- Build Volume 330 x 270 x 200 mm (13 x 10.6 x 7.9 in)
- Weight 48 kg (106 lbs)
- Machine Footprint 584 x 483 x 914 mm (23 x 19 x 36 in)
- Print Bed Kinematic coupling — flat to within 80 μm
- Laser Bed leveling, active print calibration
- Extrusion System Second-generation extruder, out-of-plastic and out-of-fiber detection
- Power 100–240 VAC, 150 W (2 A peak)
- RF Module Operating Band 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Standards 802.11 b/g/n
Materials
- Plastics Available Onyx, Onyx FR, Onyx ESD
- Fibers Available Fiberglass
- Tensile Strength 590 MPa (19.0x ABS, 1.9x 6061-T6 Aluminum) *
- Tensile Modulus 21 GPa (9.4x ABS, 0.3x 6061-T6 Aluminum) *
Parts Properties
- Layer Height 100 μm default, 50 μm minimum, 200 µm maximum
- Infill Closed cell infill: multiple geometries available
Software
- Supplied Software Eiger Cloud (Other options available at cost)
- Security Two-factor authentication, org admin access, single sign-on
Dimensions
X3 (Gen 2)
The X3 prints strictly engineering-grade plastic parts. It leverages the incredible material qualities of Onyx—twice the strength and stiffness of standard printing plastics—with an advanced sensor suite to deliver unparalleled reliability. Parts meet tight tolerances with beautiful surface finish and are perfect for production line equipment.
Printer Properties
- Process Fused filament fabrication
- Build Volume 330 x 270 x 200 mm (13 x 10.6 x 7.9 in)
- Weight 46 kg (102 lbs)
- Machine Footprint 584 x 483 x 914 mm (23 x 19 x 36 in)
- Print Bed Kinematic coupling — flat to within 80 μm
- Laser Bed leveling, active print calibration
- Extrusion System Second-generation extruder, out-of-plastic detection
- Power 100–240 VAC, 150 W (2 A peak)
- RF Module Operating Band 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Standards 802.11 b/g/n
Materials
- Plastics Available Onyx, Onyx FR, Onyx ESD
- Fibers Available None
- Tensile Strength 52 MPa (1.7x ABS) *
- Tensile Stiffness 4.2 GPa (1.9x ABS) *
Parts Properties
- Layer Height 100 μm default, 50 μm minimum, 200 µm maximum
- Infill Closed cell infill: multiple geometries available
Software
- Supplied Software Eiger Cloud (Other options available at cost)
- Security Two-factor authentication, org admin access, single sign-on
Dimensions
Mark Two (Gen 2)
Replace machined aluminum tooling—jigs, jaws, and fixtures—with stronger parts for a fraction of the price. The Mark Two combines our unique continuous carbon fiber reinforcement with workhorse reliability for versatile parts with 26x the strength of ABS, ready same-day for use straight off the printer.
Printer Properties
- Process Fused filament fabrication, Continuous Filament Fabrication
- Build Volume 320 x 132 x 154 mm (12.6 x 5.2 x 6 in)
- Weight 16 kg (35 lbs)
- Machine Footprint 584 x 330 x 355 mm (23 x 13 x 14 in)
- Print Bed Kinematic coupling — flat to within 160 μm
- Extrusion System Second-generation extruder, out-of-plastic detection
- Power 100–240 VAC, 150 W (2 A peak)
- RF Module Operating Band 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Standards 802.11 b/g/n
Materials
- Plastics Available Onyx, Nylon White
- Fibers Available Carbon fiber, fiberglass, Kevlar®, HSHT fiberglass
- Tensile Strength 800 MPa (25.8x ABS, 2.6x 6061-T6 Aluminum) *
- Tensile Modulus 60 GPa (26.9x ABS, 0.87x 6061-T6 Aluminum) *
Part Properties
- Layer Height 100 μm default, 200 μm maximum
- Infill Closed cell infill: multiple geometries available
Software
- Supplied Software Eiger Cloud (Other options available at cost)
- Security Two-factor authentication, org admin access, single sign-on
Dimensions
Onyx Pro (Gen 2)
The Onyx Pro features our unique continuous fiber reinforcement at an affordable price. Built on a durable chassis with precision components, the Onyx Pro prints fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic parts that are 10x as strong as traditional printing plastics.
Printer Properties
- Process Fused filament fabrication, Continuous Filament Fabrication
- Build Volume 320 x 132 x 154 mm (12.6 x 5.2 x 6 in)
- Weight 16 kg (35 lbs)
- Machine Footprint 584 x 330 x 355 mm (23 x 13 x 14 in)
- Print Bed Kinematic coupling — flat to within 160 μm
- Extrusion System Second-generation extruder, out-of-plastic detection
- Power 100–240 VAC, 150 W (2 A peak)
- RF Module Operating Band 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Standards 802.11 b/g/n
Materials
- Plastics Available Onyx
- Fibers Available Fiberglass
- Tensile Strength 590 MPa (19.0x ABS, 1.9x 6061-T6 Aluminum) *
- Tensile Modulus 21 GPa (9.4x ABS, 0.3x 6061-T6 Aluminum) *
Part Properties
- Layer Height 100 μm default, 200 μm maximum
- Infill Closed cell infill: multiple geometries available
Software
- Supplied Software Eiger Cloud (Other options available at cost)
- Security Two-factor authentication, org admin access, single sign-on
Dimensions
Onyx One (Gen 2)
Built on the same platform as our award-winning Mark Two, the Onyx One is designed from the ground up for quality and reliability in a form factor that fits on your desktop. Onyx parts are twice as strong as conventional printing plastics.
Printer Properties
- Process Fused filament fabrication
- Build Volume 320 x 132 x 154 mm (12.6 x 5.2 x 6 in)
- Weight 15 kg (34 lbs)
- Machine Footprint 584 x 330 x 355 mm (23 x 13 x 14 in)
- Print Bed Kinematic coupling — flat to within 160 μm
- Extrusion System Second-generation extruder, out-of-plastic detection
- Power 100–240 VAC, 150 W (2 A peak)
- RF Module Operating Band 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Standards 802.11 b/g/n
Materials
- Plastics Available Onyx
- Fibers Available None
- Tensile Strength 37 MPa (1.25x ABS) *
- Tensile Modulus 2.4 GPa (1.1x ABS) *
Part Properties
- Layer Height 100 μm default, 200 μm maximum
- Infill Closed cell infill: multiple geometries available
Software
- Supplied Software Eiger Cloud (Other options available at cost)
- Security Two-factor authentication, org admin access, single sign-on
Dimensions
Leasing from Rapids Reproductions can help you in these ways
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Finance hardware, software, training, installation, shipping, and more,
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Pay for the use of the equipment while you need it, then exchange, or upgrade over time.
Tax advantages
Depending on the type of lease, monthly payments are often tax deductible or can be capitalized.
Plan your budget
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Public perception of additive manufacturing has been skewed for years. Industry monoliths have been obsessed over futuristic, vanity applications instead of practical use cases. But they’ve had it wrong. Today, 3D printing solutions are already transforming supply chains and manufacturers around the world.
The adaptive manufacturing platform that connects part design, production, and inspection with a powerful AI.
The Future of Adaptive Manufacturing
Closed Loop Fabrication
Blacksmith will enable Markforged 3D printers to account for all variables that can affect a part through closed loop processing – changing how future parts are printed based on scans of previous prints.
Fleet Insights in Every Print
As Blacksmith leverages federated learning with the world’s largest fleet of connected 3D printers. Manufacturers will be able to print the right part every time bringing resiliency and agility to their supply chains.
Broad Integrations
Adaptive manufacturing technology will expand beyond the X7, enabling corrective actions from Metal and Composite printers.
Click here for more on this new technology
To learn how you can use Blacksmith through our service bureau or on your own printer, contact us below.
3D Printers & Scanners
Get out in front of your new product design, packaging or tooling requirements, and deliver real parts – real time. Our 3D printers generate plastic models that are tough enough to be used as working parts. This enables you to perform testing for form, fit and function right from your office.
