Continuous fiber 3D printing

3D printed plastic parts can be made stronger with reinforcing fiber materials like carbon fiber, fiberglass, and Kevlar. Chopped fibers can be incorporated into thermoplastic filament, but a more effective method of reinforcement is continuous fiber printing, in which long and unidirectional strands are applied to the part using special print heads or other equipment.

Different hardware manufacturers use different techniques to apply the fibers — co-extrusion, lamination, etc. — but continuous fiber always results in stronger parts than chopped fiber filament.