Over the past few months, the dedicated team at Noztek has been diligently collaborating with our robotic arm printer. During this time, we have conceived a brilliant concept of creating a scaled-down Catamaran through the process of 3D printing. To ensure optimal strength and lightweight properties, we utilized a composite blend of ABS, carbon fiber, and TPU materials. The hull sections, which were printed in a vertical orientation, were divided into two parts and seamlessly joined together. To further enhance the durability and aesthetics, a sleek layer of carbon fiber was skillfully applied to the exterior surface of the Catamaran.
We decided to utilize our Raise 3D printer to print the connecting blocks with added supports as part of our experimentation. Although the block prints turned out to be highly accurate, the downside was the extensive 60-hour print time, which was significantly longer compared to the mere 1 and a half hours it took using the robot. In order to enhance the strength of these sections, we opted to fill them with a combination of carbon fibre tow and resin. Additionally, we have now implemented a hot swap feature that allows us to seamlessly switch between the extruder and a 2000 RPM dremel attachment. This enables us to effectively mill out various types of molds, specifically tailored for carbon fibre work. By utilizing Fusion360, we are able to calculate and determine the different tool paths required, which can then be exported to the Kuka. If you scroll down, you will find a video showcasing the initial rough cut of a propeller mold that was milled from a high-density polypropylene block.
