CFR a 3D Printing Technology

Strength of Parts
High

Ability to print parts to replace Delrin/Acetal and stronger than 6000 grade Aluminium

Experience Level
Moderate

Using the printer software to reinforce prints in specific places requires some practice

Markforged have sold more than 12,000 desktop and industrial 3D composite printers built for Continuous Fibre Reinforcement (CFR) since the Mark One in 2014. These printers are reliable and precise, their combination of hardware + software + materials delivers parts with super-high quality surface finish. With the addition of Continuous Fibre Reinforcement the 3D printed parts will also meet your demanding functional requirements.

Markforged’s CFR is a unique process of reinforcing FFF parts with high-strength continuous fibres. The CFR printer uses two extrusion systems: one to extrude a composite base material (such as Onyx) in a standard FFF process, the second to extrude long strong continuous fibres that are precisely laid down in-layer, replacing FFF infill. The Continuous Fibres cannot be printed by themselves because they are laid down on the inside of part printed in base material through a second fibre nozzle.

Why choose Continuous Fibre Reinforcement in additive manufacturing?

Proven technology since 2014
Add Continuous Fibre exactly where you need it
Range of fibres (carbon fibre, fibreglass, HSHT fibreglass, Kevlar)
Range of base materials (Onyx™, Onyx FR™, Onyx ESD™, ULTEM™)
Multiple combinations of base + fibre

Print 10 x Stronger Parts with CFR 3D Printing

Want to know if your application is suitable for CFR Printing?

Top Use Cases of Continuous Fibre Reinforcement

With a Composite + Continuous Fibre Reinforcement (CFR) 3D printer in your manufacturing facility you can fabricate jigs, fixtures, fittings, prototypes, end-use parts and much more. Achieve ROI in days by being able to quickly 3D print complex parts in materials which are strong, heat- and chemical-resistant. Composite and CFR additive manufacturing enables you to avoid painful down-time, bring production back in-house and free up CNC-machining time

Soft Jaws

Switch production of custom mill and lathe jaws away from CNC to 3D printing with CFR

End of arm tooling (EOAT)

Cheaper, lighter custom 3D printed end effectors

Process automation tools

Low cost 3D printed complex custom automation tools

Welding fixtures

Achieve quality of CNC weld fixtures with 3D printing at lower cost

Inspection fixtures

Save on labour by 3D printing precise,conformal fixtures which are long-lasting

Want to experience the strength of a Continuous Fibre Reinforced part?

Request a sample to be sent directly to you

Printing Examples

CFR Printers

Markforged FX20

Print big, strong, high-temp composite parts reinforced with Continuous Fibre at high speed

Markforged X7

Industrial composite 3D Printer for the full range of Continuous Fibre reinforced parts

Markforged X5

Industrial composite 3D Printer for Continuous Fibreglass reinforced parts

Markforged Mark Two

Powerful desktop composite 3D Printer for the full range of Continuous Fibre reinforced parts

Markforged FX20

Print big, strong, high-temp composite parts reinforced with Continuous Fibre at high speed

Markforged X7

Industrial composite 3D Printer for the full range of Continuous Fibre reinforced parts

Markforged X5

Industrial composite 3D Printer for Continuous Fibreglass reinforced parts

Markforged Mark Two

Powerful desktop composite 3D Printer for the full range of Continuous Fibre reinforced parts

Additive-X | Your Experienced 3D Printing Partner

30+ Years Experience • Impartial Advice & Support • ISO9001:2015 Certified

Partnering with Additive-X Means that you will benefit from our long standing relationships and knowledge bases with leading manufacturers Our Experienced Staff are on hand for sales, customer service and tech support. Supporting you continuously throughout your 3D printing journey.

FAQ’S

Commonly asked questions about Continuous Fibre Reinforcement (CFR)

Placement of the CFR is all done through the Markforged slicing software Eiger. Ask one of our experts for a demonstration.
The available CFR filaments currently available are Kevlar, Fibreglass, High Strength High Temperature Fibreglass, Carbon Fibre and Flight Ready Carbon Fibre ( Carbon Fibre FR )
Markforged printers make strong, robust parts and are used widely to replace Aluminium parts.
Kevlar is ideal for using in parts that take repeat impact or repeat and sudden loading.