ABS-CF10 carbon fiber material released for Stratasys F123 Series

A new ABS-based carbon fiber material, ABS-CF10, has been launched by Stratasys for their award-winning F123 3D printer series, making it the first composite material under the platform.

With the right tools in hand, any job is made easier especially for those on the manufacturing floor. The challenge here is making the tools that can be time-consuming and unoptimized using machining and assembly.

Analysis done by Stratasys indicates that the AM market for polymer jigs and fixtures is projected to grow at a 14.2% annual rate between 2019 and 2023. That amounts to nearly $600 million, double the growth rate of the prior 4 years.

So with the new ABS-CF10 material paired with the trouble-free reliability of the F123 Series, Stratasys lets you print jigs and fixtures instead of machining them to enjoy all the benefits of ABS with 10% chopped carbon fiber.

As ABS-CF10 is more than 50% stiffer and 15% stronger than standard ABS, it is also a great option as a replacement for metal tooling in the right applications. Metal tooling is known for its drawback of being heavy, but ABS-CF10 is a lighter option that lets you make end effectors to accommodate smaller robots, which in turn require less power to actuate.

Lighter assembly tools and fixtures can also be designed to be more ergonomic and comfortable to use, which in turn reduces the risk of worker injuries. Unlike machined tools which can have long lead times to be ready, ABS-CF10 lets you print new tools with all the rigidity you need in hours, to get production running again.

Shipping for ABS-CF10 starts from April 2021 and is available for pre-order now.