【3D Printing Applications】11 Carbon Fiber Material Applications + Free 3D Model Resources Download!

【3D Printing Applications】11 Carbon Fiber Composite Applications + Free 3D Model Resources Download!

Carbon fiber composites are a class of 3D printing materials with huge potential advantages, offering high strength, light weight, and a unique visual appeal with their graphite black cross-weave pattern. They can be used to create small batches of time-saving final parts through 3D printing. (Read the detailed article here: 【3D Printing Knowledge】Advantages of 3D Printing with Carbon Fiber!)

All parts introduced in this article are available for free on Ultimaker Thingiverse, a 3D model resource that has accumulated over 1.8 million free STL files, far surpassing many competitors. Every creator can upload and share models for free. Thingiverse also has a team of professional designers demonstrating how these parts can leverage the powerful advantages of carbon fiber.

To help everyone make the most of them, we have compiled 12 carbon fiber composite applications, including clamps, fixtures, automotive parts, etc. Let's apply them in your daily life or work projects.

UltiMaker Y-Connector 3D Model Download

Designer: Jeremy Evers - UltiMaker Technical Sales Engineer
Material: PET CF
Print Time: 16h 20m


At UltiMaker's office, there are dozens of Y-connectors made of different materials. When testing new materials, this part is used as a benchmark print to help adjust the material profile. It has many useful features that help you determine dimensional accuracy and visual quality. It can also be used for the next part - the Y-connector extender.

---

UltiMaker Y-Connector Extender 3D Model Download

Designer: Jeremy Evers - UltiMaker Technical Sales Engineer
Material: PET CF
Print Time: 10 h 39 m


This part is a companion to the UltiMaker Y-connector, used to test its dimensional accuracy. If the Y-connector slides easily into the extender and the threads tighten correctly, it validates the dimensions and accuracy of both prints. The textured pattern on the extender also helps adjust the visual quality of the print.

---

Erik Schwartz Clutch Intake 3D Model Download

Designer: Erik Schwartz
Material: PET CF
Print Time: 19 h 46 m


Erik Schwartz Racing Team collaborated with Ultimaker to test composite materials in demanding automotive applications, and this part is a perfect example of their value. The CVT clutch system on Schwartz Racing vehicles generates a lot of heat. Belt temperatures can exceed 120°C. Keeping belt temperatures as low as possible is key to maintaining belt life. This bracket secures a large hose to the frame, acting as an air intake. Carbon fiber composites have a high heat deflection temperature, allowing the printed part to withstand high-heat areas without deforming.

---

Erik Schwartz Switch Bracket 3D Model Download

Designer: Erik Schwartz
Material: PET CF
Print Time: 5 h 33 m


Racing regulations require a kill switch to be installed at the rear of the race car so that safety personnel can shut down the car in an emergency. Erik Schwartz Racing Team used this bracket to simulate a metal mold. It was also used as a temporary part while waiting for the metal mold to arrive. Many manufacturing facilities are already using 3D printed metal jigs, fixtures, and replacement parts in their factories. Using plastic molds for design before making expensive metal molds is a very effective way to solve challenges. The material cost savings from metal to plastic are very significant.

---

Erik Schwartz Helmet Blower Mount 3D Model Download

Designer: Erik Schwartz
Material: PET CF
Print Time: 9 h 8 m


Keeping the driver cool during a race is important. This bracket was designed by Erik Schwartz to hold a blower that delivers fresh air to the driver's helmet. The composite material offers durability and strength, allowing for repeated assembly and disassembly during races.

UltiMaker Bike Computer Mount 3D Model Download

Designer: Felipe Castaneda - UltiMaker Director of Creative and Content
Material: ABS Carbon Fiber
Print Time: 1 h 17 m

Source : GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine

For both amateur and professional cyclists, mounting a bike computer is a common accessory. This simple, fast-printing mount, using an UltiMaker 3D printer combined with free 3D model resources from Thingiverse, provides ample inspiration to create custom or bespoke parts and develop proprietary products. High-performance materials like carbon fiber can directly be transformed into finished products, converting into potential business opportunities!

---

UltiMaker Textured Robotic Gripper 3D Model Download

Designer: Felipe Castaneda - UltiMaker Director of Creative and Content
Material: ABS Carbon Fiber
Print Time: 19 h 50 m


This textured gripper sample is part of a multi-part arm end-effector assembly that needs to be both lightweight and durable. Carbon fiber composites perfectly meet both requirements.

---

UltiMaker Robotic Gripper Assembly 3D Model Download

Designer: Felipe Castaneda - UltiMaker Director of Creative and Content
Material: Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber
Print Time: 17h 23m


For a truly lightweight end-effector, it's not enough to print a single part; you should print the entire assembly at once. This demonstrates that carbon fiber can provide not only the required strength and durability but also the accuracy needed to manufacture complex combinations of moving parts, thereby increasing the speed and maneuverability of robotic arms.

---

UltiMaker Pipe Welding Fixture 3D Model Download

Designer: Felipe Castaneda - UltiMaker Director of Creative and Content
Material: Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber
Print Time: 8 h 40 m

Source : Enhancing your jigs and fixtures with carbon fiber composites

This part was made by UltiMaker to demonstrate a simple pipe welding fixture. Jigs are used daily in assembly shops, test labs, and machining workshops. Using carbon fiber composites can greatly benefit them as they can be easily customized for the job at hand while also having enough strength to hold your product in place.

---

UltiMaker Rectangular Bracket 3D Model Download

Designer: Felipe Castaneda - UltiMaker Director of Creative and Content
Material: Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber
Print Time: 5 h 7 m


This simple bracket benefits from the customization capabilities and fast print times of 3D printing, as well as the strength and rigidity provided by carbon fiber composites.

---

UltiMaker Locating Fixture 3D Model Download

Designer: Felipe Castaneda - UltiMaker Director of Creative and Content
Material: Nylon Carbon Fiber (Nylon 6/66 blend)
Print Time: 7 h 51 m


Locating fixtures like these require high customization and may need continuous iteration when improving production processes. 3D printing can significantly reduce the cost of continuous iterations. It also eliminates the need to maintain a large inventory of replacement fixtures. Some factories even create a database of fixtures and print them as needed.

See more information about printing with various Ultimaker materials: 【3D Printing Materials】How to print with various Ultimaker materials
Check out Ultimaker 3D printers and Ultimaker value-priced 3D printersdemo units