kelvinAAs I've recently discovered and written about in this log, Desktop Metal seems to use a fibre tape to reinforce their parts. It's likely not as economical and wouldn't be as versatile as Markforge's offering, but I'd rather take "rough but within reach" over "fine line fairytale".
Considering that the SpaceApp, CostApp, PowerApp, TimeToDesignApp and ProgrammingProwessApp (where [X]App = limitation caused by [X]) is lower across the board with the SecSavr Suspence against the SecSavr Sublime, it makes sense to see what high priority features planned for the latter can be implemented in the former in some way. On the top of the list is fibre reinforced parts for the #TEOSS [gd0037] project. It's a shame that continuous fibre printing for hobbyists is still a project seldom anyone these days takes on, so I'd like to see what I can do. I can always get a PCB cheap overseas, but I can't say the same for CNC milled or continuous fibre parts.
The Initial Idea
I'm thinking of something similar to the printer below that has a gantry that can fully move out of the build area so that the next layer can be printed.
Another option could be something resembling a SCARA, which may allow fitting the attachment inside the printer's footprint. Prints that use fibre are unlikely to need the full 32cm Z height (and neither Markforged or Ainsoprint have a print height over 21cm anyway). Full Y height would be most beneficial and X would probably be fine considering that it's fairly long already.
The SCARA idea is likely the better route overall because a) I could probably route all 3 axes so that the motors are stationaty and b) may be less intrusive if permantly installed in the printer.
Discussions
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I've finished reading through this collection of knowledge (https://adonaelresinprinting.weebly.com) and as I was suspecting, heat doesn't really do anything to resin permanently. His description of it sounds like resin becomes more jello like with heat but regains all strength when cool again. That's a cool property.
Anyway, it means that I'm going to have to use UV resin or something else to bond the bottom side of the fibre to the part. UV resin is probably the best and seems straightforward as long as I'm not trying to cure the resin immediately upon exit. The resin would be going into the printed track of the continuous fibre. Not sure how well I could get the resin to cure afterwards though. Superglue might be more straightforward, but there's a higher risk of the deposition nozzle eventually getting blocked from air exposure.
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