Description:
Reference #: 01380
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for Continuous Fiber Impregnation for Additive Manufacturing Using In-line Polymerization
Background:
The growth of new and evolving 3D printers has stemmed from a desire for efficient manufacturing that can be used to produce many complex geometries. The development of appropriate materials and filaments for these printers is also essential. One of the many applications of a 3D printer is to print custom parts. Currently, certain parts are printed but are not strong enough to withstand the everyday forces placed upon them.
Invention Description:
The described impregnation and polymerization system is used to produce continuous carbon filament that can be 3D printed over existing structures in any geometry desired, ideally along directions reinforcing the principal load paths in the structure. Using this method of in-line polymerization, the fiber bundle impregnation is improved to have full wet out through the cross section and uniform impregnation throughout the length of the filament.
Potential Applications:
To strengthen the socket, 3D printers could be used to print continuous fiber (e.g. aramid, glass or carbon) on the existing parts in any geometry desired, ideally along directions reinforcing the principle load paths in the structure. The purpose of this process is to develop the appropriate continuous carbon fiber filament with a polymer matrix.
Advantages and Benefits:
This process reduces the manual post-processing requirements and increases the options of geometries that can be used to reinforce the socket. The specific material used in this fiber (polyamide) has a nice "feel" to it and is therefore desirable in wearables, medical parts or areas that come in contact with skin (such as aircraft interiors).