3D printing with carbon fiber-filled filaments can enhance the strength, stiffness, and even UV-resistance of regular thermoplastics. That’s not to mention parts printed with CF-filled materials look sleek and awesome.
You need a few things to 3D print with these filaments though. The chopped fibers inside the filament are abrasive, and will wear out a regular nozzle very quickly. So a high quality, hard nozzle such as hardened steel, or even ruby will be needed if you want to print with these materials. Additionally, these filaments tend to be more brittle than their non-filled counterparts, so a good direct drive extruder is recommended.
In this article, we will share our recommendations for 3D printers that will print carbon fiber-filled filaments, right out of the box, with no modifications needed.
Quick jump to:
QIDI Q1 Pro
First up, is the QIDI Q1 Pro, which we have reviewed here. The Q1 Pro is an impressive machine, and is the most budget-friendly 3D printer with a heated build chamber on the market. It features an internal camera, dual z-axis, all-metal frame, Klipper firmware, and a lot more.
- - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245mm
- - 600mm/s max speed
- - Full-auto leveling
- - Dual z-axis
- - Ringing compensation
- - 60°C chamber temperature
- - 120°C hotbed
- - 350°C hot end
- - All-metal dual gear extruder
- - Qidi Slicer.
Creality K1C
The K1C is the latest in the K1 flagship range from Creality, and is designed specifically to 3D print filaments with chopped carbon fiber (and other filled filaments). After unboxing, it is ready for plug and play and to print CF filaments right away. The boot-up guide is similar to that of a new smartphone.
- - Print size: 220×220×250mm
- - 600mm/s max speed
- - Dual-gear Direct Drive Extruder
- - Hotend Material: All-metal
- - Steel-tipped nozzle integrated with heat break
- - Nozzle Temperature: 300°C
- - Time lapse camera
Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro
The Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro has two quick-change nozzles included in the box, and the 0.6mm nozzle is well suited for printing fiber-filled filaments.
- - Print size: 220 × 220 × 220 mm
- - all-metal
- - Quick set up within 10 Mins
- - Auto leveling
- - Quick-release nozzles (2 included)
- - Max speed 600mm/s
- - Max acceleration 20000mm/s²
- - Internal & external circulation dual air filtration
Bambu X1 Carbon Combo
As the name suggests, the Bambu X1 Carbon combo is ideal for 3D printing a range of carbon-fiber filled feedstocks, and also comes with the AMS (automatic material system) for printing in different colors and materials at the same time.
- - Print size: 256 × 256 × 256 mm
- - 500mm/s max speed
- - Multi color & multi material capability
- - High quality printing with 7 μm Lidar resolution
- - High speed CoreXY with 20000 mm/s² acceleration
- - Dual auto bed Leveling
