9T Labs, Setforge Collaborate to Bring Additive CFRP to Production

9T Labs and Setforge are collaborating on Additive Fusion Technology that enables serial production of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) parts with high fiber volume (60%) and low void content (<1%) at lower cost using the 9T Labs Red Series equipment.

Setforge, a subsidiary of Farinia Group, supplies high-quality metal components at high production volumes mainly in the automotive and aerospace industries. With its partners, Institut de Soudure and the research institute Arts et Métiers, Setforge is working on the development of a new process, called EPITHER, that aims to produce structural composite parts in high series to diversify its historic production. 

Setforge will use the Red Series to set up a high-volume production solution for light and strong composite parts. Its Red Series subscription is an all-in-one solution that includes hardware, Fibrify software, and application engineering.

“Using 9T Labs’ composite engineering support, we will find and develop the right applications,” says Head of EPITHER program, Damien Felix. “9T Labs’ software makes the process of designing composite parts much more accessible to companies that have not been working with composites.”

The Fibrify software suite uses integrated FEA tools to help quickly define tailored fiber designs optimized per load case, avoiding less-efficient black metal designs. It also is said to allow parts to be structurally validated before being printed, reducing iterations and streamlining development.

“The Red Series subscription provides us with flexibility in process simulation and digital prototyping as well as the potential to extend our patented process to high series production of carbon composites” says Felix. “We needed an additional technology to reach our goals. We have found the right level of mastery in both additive manufacturing and post consolidation with Red Series and the great support of the 9T Labs Team. This important step will allow us to substitute metals and scale the production of structural composites to thousands of pieces at a cost competitive structure.”

“We are extremely proud to support Setforge in this mission,” explains 9T Labs Co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer, Giovanni Cavolina. “The combination of 9T Labs’ knowledge in composites and Setforge’s expertise in production will enable serial production using Additive Manufacturing of CFRP.”