Top experts discuss the future of composite AM in 3dpbm’s AM Focus webinar
In case you missed it, you can watch it here
According to SmarTech Publishing’s latest report, the composite additive manufacturing segment is expected to grow into a $10 billion revenue opportunity. This number is going to be driven primarily by hardware sales and part production. But what are the parts and the technologies that are going to push this niche segment into an established and widespread manufacturing process? Top composite AM industry insiders discussed these issues in 3dpbm’s composite AM webinar as part of 3D Printing Media Network’s AM Focus series.
In its report, SmarTech expects that the key technologies driving this growth in the short and medium term are going to powder bed fusion, filament extrusion and large format or robotic pellet extrusion. For the longer terms (i.e. after 2023) SmarTech expects that continuous fiber AM technologies will also come into play. Along with the author of the report, Davide Sher, the webinar saw the participation of three professionals who have founded and run companies operating in each of these areas.
Franco Cevolini of CRP Technology developed the Windform family of composite powders for SLS technologies way back in 2005 and has been evolving these materials since. Matt Howlett founded and runs 3DXTech the market leader in terms of advanced composite material filaments for filament extrusion technologies, a company that is experiencing booming growth. Wiener Mondesir, co-founder of Silicon Valley-based AREVO (together with Hemant Bheda) runs one of the most forward-thinking companies in terms of robotic extrusion of composites (both chopped and continuous fiber). In the video above they discuss their view of the market and show what their technologies can do.
