Efficient production of tailored structural thermoplastic composite parts by combining tape placement and 3d printing

Thermoplastic composites, such as organosheets and unidirectional tapes, have become more and more popular in recent years. In certain high volume applications, they are often combined with non-reinforced plastics in overmolding processes. However, for product development or customized parts, more flexible process chains for the production of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic parts are required. The automated placement of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic tapes is an additive manufacturing technology which can be used to produce load-optimized tailored blanks. These blanks can be formed and joined with 3d printed structures to complex, function integrated, customized hybrid thermoplastic structures without the need of expensive molds.