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3D Printing

US$5,000 for the world’s first 3D carbon fiber printer

By Loz Blain
January 28, 2014
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The Markforged Mark One – the world's first 3D printer capable of printing carbon fiber
The Markforged Mark One – the world's first 3D printer capable of printing carbon fiber
Carbon fiber wing part produced with the Mark One
The Markforged Mark One - the world's first 3D printer capable of printing carbon fiber
The Markforged Mark One - the world's first 3D printer capable of printing carbon fiber
At just $5,000, the Mark One will be well within the price range of many custom auto builders
The Mark One can print to a maximum size of 305 x 160 x 160 mm (12 x 6.25 x 6.25 in)
The Markforged Mark one - the world's first 3D printer capable of printing carbon fiber.
The Mark One's removable platform clips back in with 10-micron accuracy
The Markforged Mark One – the world's first 3D printer capable of printing carbon fiber
The Markforged Mark One also prints in fiberglass, nylon and polylactic acid (PLA)
The Markforged Mark One – the world's first 3D printer capable of printing carbon fiber
The Markforged Mark One – the world's first 3D printer capable of printing carbon fiber
View gallery - 12 images

Auto and motorcycle enthusiasts with a bit of CAD savvy will soon have access to a remarkably affordable dream machine – the US$5,000 MarkForged Mark One. Touted as the world’s first 3D printer capable of printing in carbon fiber, the device could trigger an avalanche of aftermarket carbon fiber bolt-on parts.

Carbon fiber (CF) has long been a material of choice for automotive and aerospace applications due to its light weight and extreme strength – to the point where its trademark weave pattern has become synonymous with high performance vehicles. Carbon fiber bolt-on parts, or even plastic ones designed to look like CF, are hot items in the aftermarket auto parts industry, and the ability to 3D print such items will presumably open up all sorts of new applications in this and other areas.

Designed and manufactured by MarkForged, the Mark One can print to a maximum size of 305 x 160 x 160 mm (12 x 6.25 x 6.25 in). In addition to CF, it can also print in fiberglass, nylon and polylactic acid (PLA) – although it only prints one material at a time through its dual extrusion print head. And since it's vital to be able to remove and replace the print tray in exactly the same place between layer runs, the Mark One's removable platform clips back in with 10-micron accuracy.

Automotive applications will be close to the heart of MarkForged President Gregory Mark, who also co-owns Aeromotions – a company that produces some really impressive computer controlled aerodynamic CF spoiler wings for high-performance race cars.

Carbon fiber wing part produced with the Mark One

Of course, this kind of technology puts custom carbon parts within reach of all sorts of other industries as well, and allows intricate shapes to be formed that would be very tough to create using traditional CF manufacturing techniques.

At just $5,000, the Mark One will be well within the price range of many custom auto builders, and even possibly some backyard thumb-bangers with a flair for computer design. Exciting stuff! MarkForged says the Mark One will be "available soon."

The Mark One can be seen churning out some carbon fiber 3D prints in the following video.

Source: MarkForged via 3Dprint.com

View gallery - 12 images

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3D Printing3D PrintersCarbon FiberManufacturingMarkforged
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Loz Blain
Loz leads the New Atlas team as Editorial Director, after nearly two decades as one of our most versatile writers. He's also proven himself as a photographer, videographer, presenter, producer and podcast engineer. A graduate in Psychology, former business analyst and touring musician, he's covered just about everything for New Atlas, concentrating lately on clean energy, AI, humanoid robotics, next-gen aircraft, and the odd bit of music, motorcycles and automotive.
12 comments
Jim Bruin
So it only prints 2D layers of composite fibers? (Which is basically a RepRap, except with fiber instead of heated plastic wire.) In the vertical dimension, it will be limited to the strength of the resin. The whole point of fiber composites is being able to orient the fibers to provide maximum strength. Being limited to 2D layers severely limits the applications.
hungrygiraffe
This is good, give it 5-10 more years with the advancement of this tech, and it might drop in half(2500) or to 1000 dollars.
GoodLife03
They may sell the printer cheap but the supplies expensive - you know, like the current ink printers business model...
MG127
if you don't weave the carbonfiber it is worth nothing ... building things out if carbonfiber is more like basket weaving. the structure brings the strength, not the material on its own.
usugo
I seriously doubt that the printed objects will have anywhere the strenght and lightness of the autoclaved oriented CF. Surely, you could print particulars with a CF look, actually made with CF!
Volodya Kotsev
Hey guys, that is just the beginning, yeah? In a few years it will be able to 'print' (do they mean 'to lay'?) Various lengths, widths AND orient the fibers in the desired direction. At least I believe so.
moreover
If previous posters are correct in doubting the strength of printed objects they should realize that many objects in the auto world are mainly bling and eye candy. It's amazing what some car lovers will shell out for bragging rights alone.
ezeflyer
Printed CF autos, boats and airplanes are the future.
PatrikD
Yeah, carbon fiber filament for 3D printing has been around for a while (see e.g. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1375236253/proto-pasta-gourmet-food-for-your-3d-printer), so there's really nothing new here.
Now, put that FDM print head on a 5-axis CNC so you can orient the fibers at will, and you've got something...
The Skud
I agree with most of these posters - At this stage the layering and "plying" of the fibers is not there to give the legendary strength, but for decorative CF looking pieces it will be popular enough to get a ready market. Covers, dashboards, all things that can overlay the real item will sell well.
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