Laser Engraving 3D printed parts

Onyx is made using carbon fibre and nylon to create a reinforced material which is considered to be the perfect 3D printing material. 

When compared to other materials that are used in 3D printing, Black Onyx® is shown to have higher flexural resistance as well as a higher heat deflection temperature making it the ideal to be used in sectors that require strong components, such as the automotive industry and defence sector. 

For a long time 3D printing was not considered to be viable in general manufacturing as it introduced many hurdles that needed to be overcome to create strong usable parts. Slow creation time, potential errors when printing and the lack of strength in the products produced meant that many manufacturers were sticking to traditional methods rather than introducing 3D printing to their systems. Overtime however these problem have been solved leading to a new method of manufacturing which allows for higher levels of precision as well as unique possibilities to solve unique problems, this is known as smart manufacturing.

Within the Automotive and aerospace industries 3D printing has allowed for the creation of parts that allow for additional safety as well as unique parts that would be difficult to produce using traditional methods. In recent years we have seen Onyx® being used in aircrafts, motorsports and machinery with many companies seeing 3D printing as a method to produce parts that previously would not have been possible or would have been too expensive to produce/purchase.