Laser-Assisted 3D Printing of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic Parts With Sandwiching Fibres Between Plastic Layers

Abstract A laser-assisted 3D printing process of carbon fibre reinforced plastic parts with sandwiching fibres between plastic layers was developed to improve the bond strength of the fibres to the plastic layers. In this process, the bunded carbon fibres were placed on the 3D-printed lower layer, then the upper plastic layer was deposited on the fibres, and the two layers with sandwiching the fibres were laser-heated. The heating temperature at the interface between the fibres and the plastic layer was changed by the colour of the plastic layer because of the transmittance and absorption of laser beam, and the translucent layer was most appropriate. Not only the strength but also the rigidity of the 3D-printed carbon fibre reinforced plastic part was improved by laser heating. Carbon fibre reinforced plastic parts having closed cross-section was manufactured, and strengthened by optimisation sandwiched fibre orientation. A tailored part locally reinforced by carbon fibres was 3D-printed.