Forged Carbon Fiber Molds

[zinger565]

So, this video popped up on my youtube feed and definitely has me interested. Seems like a great way to make some very unique looking parts with a bunch of additional strength. Once I get my 3d printer where I like it, I might attempt to make a few molds, specifically pump handles, cocker back block, triggers, and even grip panels. If I'm feeling gutsy I might make a full pump kit (minus pump arm), or at least something that would use a standard front block.

Unfortunately the company that made the video is in the UK, and shipping to the states is crazy expensive. However, there's a company on amazon (Venom Carbon) that sells a chopped carbon + resin kit. I can get the brushes, mold release, and wax at Michaels Craft Store to fill it out.

Any other paintball items that could be made using this process? Grip frame maybe? Eye covers for sure. Hell, maybe a bolt?

[Grendel]

On occasion I have made cf molds for my companies prototyping lab. I have a pb project in the works to help fill a gap in the market. Hope to have some test units done for testing before I get busy in the fall. Forged CF can be a great way to build small run items.

[shooter311]

I have made 3d printed molds for a local company who made goat soap, bath bombs, and cheese.

I am trying to think of a paintball item that I could make a mold of for this. It would be really cool.

[Grendel]

For Forged Carbon molds PETG is the go to for filaments in making molds. Other materials have issues with curing temperatures, being strong enough to maintain shape under pressure or are difficult to release from the resins due to chemical properties.

[shooter311]

pghp8ntballer depending on the application I used different materials. For the bath bombs I just used PLA, but for others I used PETG, but for the soap, it seperated from the mold hard, so I used TPU, since it is flexible and you can peel it away. It helped when they wanted molds that looked like a goat, that way the skinny legs. Otherwise it wouldn't push out of the mold without breaking.

For this type of application I would use PETG for sure.

[zinger565]

Definitely going to be in PETG when I do make them.

From a "looks" perspective, eye covers would look really badass. Could also do automag foregrips, grip panels, triggers, and of course pump handles.

edit: Oh! Just thought of something else! Hitman plate! That's something that you probably can't print due to flexing/breaking, but a forged carbon fiber part should be able to take it!