Ricoh 3D and Impossible Objects Develop New Composite Materials

More and more companies specializing in additive manufacturing are turning to composite materials to develop parts. And that’s exactly why Ricoh 3D, a Japanese 3D printing service provider, has teamed up with composite 3D printer manufacturer Impossible Objects. This collaboration is aimed at developing a new range of powder-based 3D composite materials. For those who do not know, a composite refers to a material composed of several different materials. But today, the term mostly represents materials reinforced with fibers. These reinforcements make it possible to manufacture lighter, and above all more solid parts. Aware of these advantages, the company Impossible Objects has opted to specialize in this field.

With its CBAM (composite-based additive manufacturing) technology, the manufacturer Impossible Objects produces parts with complex and resistant geometries. According to the company, CBAM is the only process to combine long fiber reinforcements with high performance polymer powders to create continuous fiber composites. Bob Swartz, Founder and President of Impossible Objects, explains: “Our CBAM process represents a significant leap forward in 3D printing, with faster speeds, better material properties and wider material selection. Fortune 100 companies, government agencies, and more have already put it to work to create everything from car and aircraft parts to athletic gear.” Before continuing: ”By collaborating with the team at Ricoh 3D who recognizes the transformative potential of additive manufacturing, together we will bring these competitive advantages to more organizations across Europe.“.

The CBAM-2 3D printer (Photo credits: Impossible Objects)

PEEK in carbon fibers and PA12 in carbon fibers

The new range of materials announced by Ricoh 3D and Impossible Objects will consist of carbon fiber PEEK and carbon fiber PA12. It is intended to be used to manufacture industrial parts, to optimize their strength / weight ratio and to limit geometric restrictions. Finally, these composite materials offer superior performance at high temperatures and greater chemical resistance.