Carbon fiber 3D printing startup9T Labsjust in its A roundfinancingreceived $17 million in backing.The support will enable the Swiss company to integrate manufacturing through additive fusion technologyCarbon fiber composite materialThe process of parts is fully commercialized.
Introduction of 9T Labs
9T Labs is committed tocarbon composite3D printingthe company uses“Additive Manufacturing + Compression Molding”The advanced manufacturing process enables the manufacture of high-volume industrial-grade continuous fiber parts.There are two key points in the production of lightweight structural components:Optimum fiber layupandHigh consolidation. Additive Fusion Technology (AFT) allows automated manufacturing from Fibrify ®softwareoptimized part design by first usingBuilding blocks to produce fiber layups. At this stage, the resulting preform has not yet achieved the consolidation quality required for structural composites. Then, the preforms are fused together by the heat and pressure of the fusion module.This proprietary two-stage process ensures part quality, repeatability and cost competitiveness for your mass production applications. Below Antarctic Bear will introduce the materials used by 9T Labs, the building blocks and fusion modules in the manufacturing equipment.
Material
What are the benefits of the continuous carbon fiber material that 9T is focusing on? According to Antarctic Bear, the continuous carbon fiber material is very lightweight and ideal for use in extreme environments. The stiffness and resistance of carbon fiber make it an ideal material for manufacturing industrial-grade composite parts.
9T Labs uses a modulus of 230GPastandardElastic modulus type (HT) carbon fiber as standard material. Comparing the specific modulus of this carbon fiber to aluminum, steel, and titanium, it can be seen that carbon fiber has a clear advantage, and 9Tlabs can provide from low elastic modulus fibers to high elastic modulus fibers (200-300 GPa).
Building blocks:
The building blocks provided by 9T Labs are shown in the following diagram:
•Print volume: 350mm x270mm x 250mm
• 400℃ printing
• Heated material for storage at 100°C to avoid moisture intake
• Printing high-performance composites: up to 60% fiber volume content; CF/PA 12; CF/PEKK
This building block uses 9L Lab software, which can be easily manipulated by the user. Process controls and sensors provide continuous feedback and monitoring. A heated storage bin ensures continuous printing. Users can quickly set various parameters among them. The building block applies feedback-controlled motors for high-precision positioning and continuous process control, and is equipped with a temperature management system to ensure the reliability and repeatability of the printing process.The device’s carbon fiber lamination technology willaviationaerospaceThe layup accuracy and quality of automated fiber placement technology used in the field combined with the resolution of 3D printing improves print quality.
Fusion module:
• Fusion volume: 350mm x 270mm x 250mm
• High temperature fusion chamber up to 400°C
• Active pressure regulation >20 bar
Similar to the building block, the fusion block also uses 9T Labs software, which is easy for users to operate andProgram control and sensor feedback are continuously provided and monitored. The integrated program board allows easy connection of heating and cooling equipment and sensors. This additive fusion technology allows individual sub-assemblies to be connected to create the final part architecture.This new design concept can create previously unachievable complexities 3D Fiber architecture that perfectly exploits all the properties of fiber composites.
It can be said that the 9T Labs engineering team has deep knowledge and experience in carbon composites and additive manufacturing.its powerful Fibrify® Design and optimization software can help customers manufacture next-generation products at extremely low cost.
Financing Information
SmarTech Analysis’ 2018 Year 3D Printing Composites MarketThe report indicates that by 2028, the 3D printing composites market is expected to harvest $10 billion. The market analyst firm believes that,Extrusion-based composite systems will continue to grow at an annual rate of 14.15% from 2018 to 2028. 9T Labs is one of the few companies driving this development.
This roundInvestincludingStratasys,Solvay Ventures,Verve Ventures,ACE & Company,Zürcher KantonalbankandWingman Ventures. Verve focuses on European startups, while Wingman focuses on Swiss companies. Zürcher Kantonalbank is the fourth largest bank in Switzerland and ACE is a Geneva-based global investment fund.solvayA material company with a significant presence in 3D printing, Stratasys is a pioneer in material extrusion 3D printing.
“9T Labs combines the simplicity of 3D printing with the high strength of continuous carbon fiber composites,” said Adam Pawloski, vice president of Stratasys.3D printingThis is an exciting development for the industry. Their additive fusion technology takes advantage of 3D printing, automated tape layup and compression molding to produce fully dense parts with multidirectional reinforcement. In addition, the technology can meet the different requirements for the number of parts produced by different manufacturers. It also has the potential to be the solution for shifting the industry from metal parts to composite parts. “
Fabrizio Ponte, Head of the Thermoplastic Composites Platform at Solvay, added: “As a leading supplier of thermoplastic composites technology, we are delighted to contribute our materials expertise to help 9T Labs accelerate the use of 3D printing to manufacture structural composite parts developing.”
Stratasys has been pouring money into partnerships with other companies as it expands its own technology. For example, Stratasys acquired Xaar 3D. In 2016, itexhibitwithSiemensCo-developed composite 3D printer called Robotic Composite Demonstrator. If 9T goes well, Stratasys could bring the Swiss startup under its umbrella.
9T Labs also hired ExOne Former CEO John Hartner chairs its board.at ExOneDesktop Metal After the acquisition, Hartner left ExOne. Desktop Metal’s CEO Ric Fulop and the pioneer of carbon fiber 3D printing Markforged Partnership established. If Hartner has some information from his brief stint with Desktop Metal, he may well use it to guide the development of 9TLabs.
Hartner himself said he was impressed with 9TLabs’ unique manufacturing approach and was excited to help the team bring this technology to manufacturing companies around the world.
3D printed parts reinforced with carbon fiber. Image courtesy of 9T Labs.
This round of financing is intended to help 9T grow, thereby helping its customers increase production, increase material selection and create new technology platforms.For new materials, we can expect glass fiber to increasestrong material,Kevlaror basalt‘s research and development. For new technologies, we look to metal extrusion systems, similar to those from Markforged and Desktop Metal. However, Martin Eichenhofer, co-founder and CEO of 9T Labs said: “With this funding round and the combined expertise of our partners, we are able to take the next big leap in commercialization and deliver on our mission to replace metal components with fully recyclable, high-performance carbon composites. With the above support, we will be able to demonstrate things we could not have imagined 10 years ago.“
(responsible editor: admin)
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