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Continuous Composites has been chosen by NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program to additively manufacture low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) open isogrid composite structures for space applications, using its patented Continuous Fiber 3D Printing technology, CF3D.
This NASA award will demonstrate CF3D’s advanced robotic steering of individual, continuous carbon fiber tows to print and test a flat 1.6’ by 3.3’ open isogrid rib structure, which will have a low CTE. CF3D printed isogrid structures can be deposited onto a support surface of many different shapes, including flat, cylindrical, spherical, conical, etc. The resulting part can be optimized for the desired strength and stiffness depending on launch and space loads.
CF3D allows for the manufacture of composite structures which are impractical to produce with traditional fabrication methods. One such structure is this open isogrid rib structure which has applications in many industries, including space and aerospace. By utilizing continuous fiber reinforcement, snap curing photopolymers, and advanced robotics, CF3D can drastically reduce the time and cost of creating open isogrid composite structures.

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