Exploring the Potential of 3D Printed Molds for Rapid and Affordable Prototyping of Carbon Fiber Composites

This research paper aims to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of using 3D printed molds for producing carbon fiber composites in an inexpensive prototyping process. The study delves into the manufacturing process of 3D printed molds and their compatibility with carbon fiber composites. In this paper our team conducted tensile testing on the specimen and further x-ray diffraction was done to study the matrix composition and at last to study the feasibility of the process our team designed custom molds for application based parts.

Sumit Joshi, Abhinav Sharma, Aryaman Batra, Bhavey Goel, Pratyush A, Priyanshu, Vipin Kumar Sharma

Maharaja Agrasen Institution of Technology, New Delhi, India

Corresponding author. Tel: +91-9997581291, E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

This research paper aims to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of using 3D printed molds for producing carbon fiber composites in an inexpensive prototyping process. The study delves into the manufacturing process of 3D printed molds and their compatibility with carbon fiber composites. In this paper our team conducted tensile testing on the specimen and further x-ray diffraction was done to study the matrix composition and at last to study the feasibility of the process our team designed custom molds for application based parts.

Keywords: additive manufacturing, epoxy resin, chopped carbon fiber, molds, composites

References

• Bere, P.; Neamtu, C.; Udroiu, R. Novel Method for the Manufacture of Complex CFRP Parts Using FDM-based Molds. Polymers 2020, 12, 2220.
• Molds with Advanced Materials for Carbon Fiber Manufacturing with 3D Printing Technology Patrich Ferretti *, Gian Maria Santi , Christian Leon-Cardenas * , Marco Freddi, Giampiero Donnici , Leonardo Frizziero and Alfredo Liverani
• Henderson, L. Carbon Fibers and Their Composite Materials; MDPI AG: Basel, Switzerland, 2019; ISBN-13: 978-3039211029, ISBN-10: 3039211021.
• Barbero, E.J. Introduction to Composite Materials Design, 3rd ed.; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2018; ISBN-10: 1-138-19680-0
• Tofail, S.A.M.; Koumoulos, E.P.; Bandyopadhyay, A.; Bose, S.; O’Donoghue, L.; Charitidis, C. Additive manufacturing: Scientific and technological challenges, market uptake and opportunities. Mater. Today 2018, 21, 22–37.
• International Organization for Standardization. Standard Terminology for Additive Manufacturing General Principles–Terminology; ISO/ASTM 52900-15; ISO/ASME International: Geneva, Switzerland, 2015.
• Turner, B.N.; Strong, R.; Gold, S.A. A review of melt extrusion additive manufacturing processes: I. Process design and modeling. Rapid Prototype. J. 2014, 20, 192–204.
• Gibson, I.; Rosen, D.W.; Stucker, B. Additive Manufacturing Technologies; Springer: New York, NY, USA, 2015.
• Gerphard, A. Understanding Additive Manufacturing, Rapid Prototyping-Rapid Tooling-Rapid Manufacturing; Publisher Carl Hanser Verlag GmbH & Co. KG Munchen: Munich, Germany, 2011; ISBN-13: 978-1-56990-507-4.
• Gebhardt, A.; Kessler, J.; Thurn, L. Basics of 3D Printing Technology; Carl Hanser Verlag GmbH & Co. KG: Munich, Germany, 2018; ISBN 978-1-56990-702-3.
• Andreas, F.; Steve, R.; Thomas, B. New Fiber Matrix Process with 3D Fiber Printer—A Strategic In-process Integration of Endless Fibers Using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). In Proceedings of the IFIP International Conference on Digital Product and Process Development Systems, Dresden, Germany, 10–11 October 2013; pp. 167–175.
• García Plaza, E.; Núñez López, P.J.; Caminero Torija, M.Á.; Chacón Muñoz, J.M. Analysis of PLA Geometric Properties Processed by FFF Additive Manufacturing: Effects of Process Parameters and Plate-Extruder Precision Motion. Polymers 2019, 11, 1581.
• Porter, J.H.; Cain, T.M.; Fox, S.L.; Harvey, P.S. Influence of infill properties on flexural rigidity of 3D-printed structural members. Virtual Phys. Prototyp. 2019, 14, 148–159.
• Udroiu, R. Rapid Tooling by Three Dimensional Printing (3DP). Proceedings of the 3rd WSEAS International Conference on Manufacturing Engineering, Quality and Production Systems, Recent Researches in Manufacturing Engineering, Brasov, Romania, 11–13 April 2011; pp. 177–180.
• Udroiu, R.; Braga, I.C. Polyjet technology applications for rapid tooling. In Proceedings of the IManE&E 2017 MATEC Web of Conferences, Iasi, Romania, 25–26 May 2017; pp. 1–6.
• Yanga, Y.; Lia, H.; Xua, Y.; Dongb, Y.; Shana, W.; Shenc, J. Fabrication and evaluation of dental fillers using customized molds via 3D printing technology. Int. J. Pharm. 2019, 562, 66–75.
• Hawryluk, M.; Ziemba, J.; Sadowski, P. A Review of Current and New Measurement Techniques Used in Hot Die Forging Processes. Meas. Control 2017, 50, 74–86.
• Hawryluk, M.; Gronostajski, Z.; Ziemba, J.; Janik, M.; Górski, P.; Lisowski, M. Support Possibilities for 3D Scanning of Forging Tools with Deep and Slim Impressions for an Evaluation of Wear by Means of Replication Methods. Materials 2020, 13, 1881.
• Nelson, J.W.; LaValle, J.J.; Kautzman, B.D.; Dworshak, J.K.; Johnson, E.M. Injection molding with an additive manufacturing tool study shows that 3D printed tools can create parts comparable to those made with P20 tools, at a much lower cost and lead time. Plast. Eng. Conn. 2017, 73, 60–66.
• Neamt,u, C.; Bere, P. Methods for Checking the Symmetry of the Formula One Car Nose. Appl. Mech. Mater. 2014, 657, 785–789