Anisoprint and its 3D printing solution for continuous fiber composites

Anisoprint is a Russian 3D printer manufacturer that has developed a 3D printing solution for continuous fiber composites. Based on the principle of melt deposition, its Composer machine makes it possible to reinforce any 3D printing plastic with composite fibres during the process itself. A patented coextrusion principle that could interest more than one industry: composite materials are generally stronger, lighter and more resistant and therefore make them ideal solutions for aerospace, automotive and medical industries. We met with Anisoprint’s CEO, Fedor Antonov, to learn more about this technology, its benefits and limitations.

3DN: Can you present yourself and your link with 3D printing?

Anisoprint is a technology company that was founded by engineers and scientists with a joint vision on how composites can work if they are designed and applied in the right way and how dramatically they can change manufacturing. We’ve learnt to manage unique properties of composites to invent a technology that can replace metal, giving stronger and lighter parts that are also cheaper. The perfect approach to implement this vision appeared to be through 3D printing, a common name for a wide range of technologies that revolutionise the way we manufacture things in many industries through digitalisation and automation. Now our technology of 3D printing of composites with continuous fibers allows reducing manufacturing costs in the majority of areas from aerospace to healthcare.

Fedor Antonov

3DN: Can you tell us more about the 3D printer you developed?

Our printers are based on our proprietary composite fiber coextrusion technology (CFC). Composite fiber coextrusion is a core innovation in our products, and it significantly differs from the other approaches to 3D-printing of composites with continuous fibers (prepreg, dry fiber coextrusion, lamination — they all have their limitations). In CFC technology, we reinforce plastic with continuous composite fibers directly during the printing process, not at pre-stage like in other technologies. This approach allows using any plastic you want (PETG, ABS, PC, PLA, Nylon, etc) and changing composite infill density.