Airtech has announced its support of Alpha Additive on an ACADIA 2025 project that successfully 3D printed a complex structure featuring multiple 60-degree overhangs using a traditional 3-axis gantry system. The team completed the 3,000-pound, eight-piece structure in a single continuous printing run.
The project utilized Airtech’s Dahltram T-100GF, a recycled-grade, glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite resin designed for pellet-fed large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) systems. According to the company, other materials tested during the project could not provide the necessary melt strength, stiffness, and thermal stability required for the extreme angles.
The printed pavilion was displayed on Florida International University’s campus throughout November 2024, serving as a research platform for exploring computational design, recycled composites, and LFAM workflows. The structure was subsequently showcased at ALCOVA 2025.
The project demonstrates the capabilities of current 3-axis gantry systems when paired with appropriate materials for printing challenging geometries. The 60-degree overhangs represent a significant technical challenge for gantry-style LFAM systems, which typically require support structures for such angles.
Source: linkedin.com
