Study on 3D Printing with Fiber Reinforcement and its Aerospace Applications

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing technologies are becoming an appealing solution for the Aerospace Industry. Printing with continuous fibers has the potential of becoming a perfect complement to the more traditional automated fiber placement techniques. Through an intensive review of literature about the topic and research of companies with functional printers, a study on this technology is presented. Moreover, a methodology for optimizing the printing process is introduced for short fibers reinforcement. An analogy with a comparable approach for continuous fibers printing will be also discussed. Actual aerospace applications for this manufacturing technique are reviewed, as well as certification requirements and analysis of sustainability. In conclusion, Additive Manufacturing with continuous fibers could grow into an essential fabrication method for the aerospace industry once accuracy, repeatability, and consistency issues are solved.