CI releases new carbon fiber material for SAAM additive systems

Cincinnati Incorporated (CI), makers of the BAAM large-format composite 3D printers, released a new carbon fiber composite resin material for their SAAM (Small Area Additive Manufacturing) 3D printing system. The new material is impact resistant, lightweight and has a very high strength-to-weight ratio.

Carbon fiber reinforcement makes the material stiff, durable and very low warping – and advanced inter-layer adhesion results in accurate, quality parts with good dimensions. The material’s superior surface finish makes it ideal for custom tooling applications, as well as assembly, CMM, welding and CNC fixtures.

“This material advances the additive applications on the shop floor, allowing on-the-spot production of custom tooling and fixturing which saves time and money,” said Chris Haid, General Manager of the NVBOTS Business Unit at CI. “Additive Manufacturing has opened a new world for parts designers and engineers, and now SAAM allows manufacturers to fabricate custom tools and fixtures easily and quickly. This material is very durable and it has been tested, qualified and certified by CI to be compatible with SAAM. It’s another example of how additive is shaping the future of manufacturing.”

Unlike the BAAM platform, which uses pellets, the SAAM system uses fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology to 3D print composite or plastic parts from a CAD design. The system allows designers to prove-out part designs while saving material and time. SAAM also simulates parts produced by non-additive machines. The same CAD file used for the prototype can be sent to a laser, a press brake, or a shear for metal fabrication. It dramatically reduces waste in the design process and accelerates advancement to the production phase.