Continuous Fiber Reinforcement As Applied to Manufacturing Load-Bearing Frames for Products by Means of 5D Printing

An additive manufacturing technology for polymeric composite materials based on the fused thread fabrication (FFF) technology has been developed and studied in order to provide an increase in the strength of printed products. Different approaches to reinforcing products with continuous fiber in the course of the printing process are considered. A five-axis printing method is proposed, which makes it possible to perform the spatial reinforcement of printed products using different patterns. The proposed method is implemented as a five-axis printing device and software (slicer) for the automatic preparation of controlling programs for printing with the use of reinforcement. The mechanical properties of reinforced printed products have been studied using tensile testing in accordance with GOST (State Standard) R 56785–2015. Approximate values have been obtained for the mechanical characteristics of reinforced samples under tension, and the effect of reinforcement exerted on the failure mode has been analyzed. A conclusion is drawn concerning the scope of application of the proposed FFF printing technology at the current level of development.