Introducing the First Continuous Composite Carbon Fiber 3D Printer

There aren’t many 3D printing companies that can compete with MarkForged right now. That’s because MarkForged is the first company to incorporate continuous strands of strong, lightweight fiber-based materials, like carbon fiber, Kevlar, and fiberglass, into their printing process. This allows designers to reinforce typically brittle 3D printed plastic previously used only as prototypes, to create highly functional, useful products and parts.

When MarkForged’s Mark One Carbon Fiber 3D Printer was announced in January 2014, critics were skeptical of their claims about the machine’s capabilities. They were skeptical of its ability to extrude continuous fiber from an FFF-based 3D printer without sacrificing the strength of the fibers. However, a closer look — and a demo — revealed that the MarkForged printer and its products are the real deal.

The Mark One 3D Printer can print using carbon fiber, fiberglass, Kevlar, and nylon. With a build volume of 320mm by 132mm by 160mm, most users are very satisfied with its build size capabilities. (MarkForged Creative Director Jeff Klein revealed that any increases in size would be made along the machine’s x or y-axis.)

While objects printed by the Mark One look similar to those printed by other printers, they feel completely different. The addition of the fibers gives these parts a rigidity and strength unrivaled by competitors. Even prints with only one or two layers of the reinforcement fibers are still strong enough to mimic solid metal.

Mark One can also print objects with sensors embedded in them, a difficult task for its peers. Print jobs can be paused, the platform removed and placed back on the printer once the sensor is embedded, and print job can continue without any complications. This opens the door for nearly any component, like a battery or sensor, to be inserted into 3D printed objects.

MarkForged also offers users an in-browser software called Eiger, which runs on most computers. The program automatically determines the best layout for fiber-based materials; for example, objects like wrenches will have fibers placed closest to areas that make contact with nuts and bolts. The software also allows designers to manually manipulate the fiber by adding additional strands or modifying the fiber’s directional layout. Combined with its ease of use, this software allows anyone to make 3D printed objects with incredible resilience.

The Mark One is the perfect solution for designers in need (or want!) of a 3D printer that goes above and beyond what competitors offer.

Interested in learning more about 3D printers? Read more here. Or why not contact us?