Next Article in Journal
An Artificial Neural Network Based on Oxide Synaptic Transistor for Accurate and Robust Image Recognition
Previous Article in Journal
A Simulation of the Mechanical Testing of the Cell Membrane and Cytoskeleton
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Review

A Review of Print Heads for Fused Filament Fabrication of Continuous Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composites

by
Heng Cai
1,2 and
Yuan Chen
1,2,*
1
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing for Continuous Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
2
School of System Design and Intelligent Manufacturing (SDIM), Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Micromachines 2024, 15(4), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15040432
Submission received: 27 February 2024 / Revised: 18 March 2024 / Accepted: 19 March 2024 / Published: 24 March 2024

Abstract

The print head is one of the most critical components in an additive manufacturing (AM) system. It can significantly affect the quality of printed parts. Recently, because continuous carbon fiber-reinforced composites can have excellent mechanical properties, a relevant AM technique, fused filament fabrication (FFF), has been attracting increasing attention. This has extended the requirements demanded of print heads. To this end, different FFF extrusion methods have been rapidly developed based on various methods of impregnating fibers into the matrix for the corresponding print heads. Generally, these extrusion methods are of three types: single extrusion, in situ extrusion, and dual extrusion. All these methods face substantial challenges, such as the nozzle clogging and damage to the continuous carbon fibers during extrusion. These common issues still need to be fully addressed. This study’s aim is to summarize and discuss the different extrusion methods and their FFF specific components in terms of their advantages and disadvantages for continuous carbon fiber-reinforced composites.
Keywords: print head; fused filament fabrication; continuous carbon fiber-reinforced composites; extrusion method; additive manufacturing print head; fused filament fabrication; continuous carbon fiber-reinforced composites; extrusion method; additive manufacturing

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Cai, H.; Chen, Y. A Review of Print Heads for Fused Filament Fabrication of Continuous Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composites. Micromachines 2024, 15, 432. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15040432

AMA Style

Cai H, Chen Y. A Review of Print Heads for Fused Filament Fabrication of Continuous Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composites. Micromachines. 2024; 15(4):432. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15040432

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cai, Heng, and Yuan Chen. 2024. "A Review of Print Heads for Fused Filament Fabrication of Continuous Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composites" Micromachines 15, no. 4: 432. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15040432

APA Style

Cai, H., & Chen, Y. (2024). A Review of Print Heads for Fused Filament Fabrication of Continuous Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composites. Micromachines, 15(4), 432. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15040432

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop