Laser Stereolithography with Carbon Fiber Oriented along Shape of Part

—Study on Method for Orientation—

Abstract

The material of parts produced by laser stereolithography is a photopolymer. The photopolymer parts must be reinforced by particles or short fibers in order to increase the mechanical strength of the parts. However, the strength of the reinforced photopolymer parts are not so increased because the photopolymer exists between the reinforcement materials. Therefore, it is necessary to reinforce from one end to another end of the part and along the shape of the part by long fibers. The purpose of this research work is to develop the process. Carbon fiber is selected as the long fibers because the carbon fiber has high tensile strength and flexibility. The fabricating conditions for example, the laser beam power, drawing speed of the beam and the thickness of the photopolymer were examined. Several examples were produced using these conditions.