Netherlands-based 3-D printing company CEAD (www.cead group.com)— formed by Maarten Logtenberg and Lucas Janssen in 2014 to focus on the industrial side of 3-D printing — has developed a Continuous Fibre Additive Manufacturing system — or CFAM.

This adds continuous fibres to printed parts for reinforcement, using a process similar to that used by carbon-printing 3-D printer companies such as Markforged, but on a much larger scale.

CEAD’s first CFAM 3-D printer has a build volume of 4 x 2 x 1.5m; and with a high-output and a high-temperature granule extruder capable of extruding and printing at a rate of at least 15kg per hr, it is suitable for industrial applications that include shipbuilding.

Moreover, the CFAM 3-D printer can process standard granule plastics and engineering plastics — including PP, PET, ABS, PLA and PEEK — while incorporating carbon fibres into a print. It also has a mechanism that can apply heat to prevent warpage, or cool a print down.

CEAD says its first prototype 3-D printer will be ready in mid-2018, with Poly Products — a Dutch maritime company — the first recipient of the large machine; it will use the CFAM 3-D printer to make large-scale products without moulds or tools, and to make prototype products for customers in order to get quick feedback.

CEAD says that it plans to build three more 3-D printers this year, and it aims to become the biggest large-scale composite 3-D printer manufacturer in Europe.