Who Are the American Manufacturers of Composite 3D Printers?

The U.S. additive manufacturing market continues to be the biggest in the world, with the largest number of 3D printer manufacturers, material developers, startups and even 3D printing service providers. But considering its size, it can be hard to know who exactly the players are, which is why we have previously told you about the American metal AM solution providers and manufacturers of FDM printers under $5000. But polymers and metals are just part of the sector. Another realm where we have seen growth in the USA is in composite 3D printing. But who exactly are these players? Where are they based in the country? We take a closer look at this latest listing in this series on the American manufacturers of composite 3D printers.

3D Systems and Inkjet Composite 3D Printing

It perhaps will come as no surprise to see 3D Systems on this list. As one of the oldest and most well-established 3D printer manufacturers in the world, 3D Systems has a much wider range of printers available than most others on the market. This includes, of course, solutions for composite 3D printing. We can point especially to the ProJet MJP 5600 was designed specifically for 3D printing large-format, multi-material composite parts in a single build. This machine uses 3D System’s MultiJet printing process, a type of inkjet printing process similar to material jetting, which involves the jetting of photocurable plastic resin or casting wax materials layer by layer. Specifically, within the ProJet MJP 5600 3D printer, it is possible to combine flexible and rigid photopolymers to achieve superior mechanical properties and custom performance characteristics, notably with 3D System’s Visijet multi-material composites. That being said, composite 3D printing is also possible on other machines, including for SLS 3D printers and the Titan line of FDM printers.

Photo Credits: 3D Systems

3DXTECH and its Gearbox CF2 3D Printer

Another American composite 3D printing solutions provider to include is 3DXTECH. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the company is best known for its material solutions including of course carbon fiber reinforced materials, claiming to have the broadest portfolio on the market. But they also have two printers, including one designed specifically for carbon fiber and glass fiber 3D printing, the Gearbox CF2. This printer boasts a number of properties to make it ideal for composite materials that have been reinforced with carbon fiber, including an actively heated chamber that can reach up to 135ºC. It also boosts features like print settings for popular 3DXTECH materials, as well as a hardened system for abrasive materials like composites.