9T Labs AG, experts in digital, automated and cost-competitive serial production of continuous fiber components, will exhibit at this year’s Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX), the largest composites event in North America, October 17 – 20, 2022 in Anaheim, Calif. In Hall C, Booth X62, the company will display the unique benefits of its cutting-edge Red Series Additive Fusion Technology (AFT) platform, a fully integrated 3D composites manufacturing software and hardware solution. Alongside the Red Series platform, 9T Labs will showcase a range of manufactured parts that highlight the technologies’ abilities to employ the most advanced materials, software and hardware at scale. These include an aerospace bracket and a motorbike rear suspension rocker arm, which demonstrate AFT’s capability for out-of-plane continuous fiber direction.
As 9T Labs continues its growth, it recently expanded its operations in North America with an office in Boston. “As we establish ourselves in the North American composites industry, we know how important CAMX is for expert collaboration and the advancement of composites,” says 9T Labs chief commercial officer (CCO) and co-founder, Giovanni Cavolina. “We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces and showcasing the customer benefits of our new AFT solutions.”
Composites expert and entrepreneur, Dr. Konstantine Fetfatsidis, joined 9T Labs this month as president for North America to oversee and build out operations in the region.
Dr. Fetfatsidis will also be giving a short talk in the presentation theater on Wednesday, October 19 at 3:30 p.m. PDT titled, “Additive Fusion Technology (AFT): Moving Structural Composites into a New Era of Sustainable and Cost-Competitive Manufacturing.”
Additionally, 9T Labs will disclose its industrial applications and collaboration with a major, local university that is leveraging 9T Labs’ technology to research aerospace application manufacturing at its world-class facility. Findings show that the combination of 3D printing continuous fiber bands with bulk molding compound (BMC) is already demonstrating high performance at a fraction of the usual cost. Further results of this collaboration will be shared during CAMX.
9T Labs’ AFT
9T Labs’ AFT software and the hardware work together to produce high-performance composites in large volumes by taking advantage of fast production cycles and the favorable processability of thermoplastic composites. The Build Module produces a fiber layup using in-house Fibrify Design software, optimizing structural calculations and ensuring the best quality output while reducing excess material waste.
The Fusion Module applies heat and pressure to fuse preform parts with a fiber volume of up to 60 percent in a metal mold. It allows both a low void content (< 1%) and maximum interlaminar strength. This manufacturing method offers companies the opportunity to directly replace metal parts and conventional manufactured composite parts quickly and efficiently, especially when it comes to small and complex geometries. While the process produces parts with excellent surface finishes straight out of the mold, it also offers opportunities to create unique aesthetic effects by adding films, scrims, fabrics, foils and other fibers to the mold before consolidation and forming.
You can also learn more about AFT and some of its applications ahead of CAMX by attending 9T Labs’ free webinar, titled “Additive Fusion Technology – Changing the game of producing exoskeletons and robotics parts,” on Tuesday, October 11 at 9 am EST. Advance registration is required: www.9tlabs.com/online-events/exoskeletons-and-robotics-webinar-9t-labs.
9T Labs
www.9tlabs.com
