14 DAY TRIAL // One of the limitations of most 3D printers is that they can only make things from ABS or PLA plastic, but there are increasingly more models with better capabilities.
Most of the tougher materials are in powder form, metals used in SLS printers (selective laser sintering).
Even SLA (stereolithography), which uses resins, has the materials stored in fluid form and placed in tanks which are then cured via light bombardment.
And yet, FDM 3D printers continue to be the ones best represented. As a response to this, Dutch filament manufacturer ColorFabb has unveiled one of, if not the most advanced type of filament yet: XT-CF20.
This filament is made of a carbon fiber composite that gives 3D printed objects a high heat resistance, stiffness and dimensional stability.
It is sold for $52 / €49.95 per 750 gram spool and should start shipping by the end of the month (February 2015). A fairly high price, but more than reasonable.
The filament contains 20% or more carbon fiber in case you were wondering, the rest being polyester. The Amphora 3D polymer from Eastman Chemical was the starting point. The OpenRC Truggy in the attached video is a proof-of-concept 3D printed object.
