26/07/23
Replace high-cost CNC milling with agile, cost-saving solutions for low volume production
SAVE TIME
Drastically reduce lead times and speed up design iterations
5X CHEAPER
3D printing molds costs a fraction of the price of CNC milling aluminum
AGILE ITERATION
Adapt, test, and produce parts in-house with ease
Large-scale patterns and carbon fiber molds are expensive, slow to produce, and complex shapes may not be feasible. Typical CNC milling of patterns wastes material and design iterations are expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, 3D printing can play a huge role in producing high-quality carbon fiber parts while reducing costs and lead times. BigRep machines deliver cost-saving solutions to produce large-scale carbon fiber molds.
Airflight uses prepreg carbon fiber parts to build their human-sized drones. See how they use BigRep machines to produce 3D printed molds for faster, cheaper carbon fiber fabrication.
3D Print the Carbon Fiber MoldIf the part design still needs iterations, the part is intended for small batch production, or the carbon fiber prepreg requires lower temperature / pressure resistance, then 3D printing the mold is recommended.
The mold is 3D-printed and post-processed to required surface quality. If needed, the mold can be designed with inlets to pour in reinforcement filler so the mold can withstand pressure in the autoclave. Carbon fiber prepreg is laid into the mold, placed in a vacuum bag, and cured in an autoclave at the required temperature and pressure settings.
3D Print the Pattern
If the part design is finalized, the part is intended for series production, or the carbon fiber prepreg requires higher temperature / pressure resistance, then 3D printing the pattern is recommended.
The pattern is 3D-printed and post-processed to required surface quality. Then a carbon fiber mold is produced from the pattern, typically using glass fiber or high temperature epoxy molding paste. Carbon fiber prepreg is laid into the mold, placed in a vacuum bag, and cured in an autoclave at the required temperature and pressure settings.
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