continuous fibers— such as carbon or glass— impregnated with UV-curable resin. Using real-time fiber steering and instant curing with UV light, the system enables faster production. " It’ s like a CAD program," Garcia said, " where you load the design, define the fiber direction, and the machine automatically prints the part to specification." This approach optimizes strength-to-weight ratios, reduces material waste, and offers a faster, more efficient alternative to traditional methods, making it especially advantageous for industries like aerospace, defense, and UAVs.
By partnering with customers like MARS, CCI is advancing the adoption of 3D-printed composite components, offering a compelling alternative to traditional composites and even metal materials.
Starner explained that industries traditionally reliant on metals for
We are uniquely positioned to replace metals with advanced composite solutions.
certain applications can now benefit from their technology, adding, " We are uniquely positioned to replace metals with advanced composite solutions." This shift results in lighter, stronger parts, optimized performance through loadaligned fibers, and more efficient material use, with the potential for up to a 2X increase in strength and stiffness compared to conventional metals. Starner emphasized that this approach allows for faster product design cycles while unlocking " new mission capabilities " in a scalable and cost-effective way.
AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2025 ISSUE NO. 46 13