Journal article
A reconfigurable tool for vat photopolymerization of curved fiber reinforced composite parts
Rapid prototyping journal
26 Sep 2025
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
PurposeManufacturing curved composite structures is a challenging process that requires expensive tooling. The purpose of this study is to introduce and demonstrate a new technology for manufacturing nonplanar (curved) glass fiber composite parts via a transparent, reconfigurable tool that couples with standard vat photopolymerization techniques.Design/methodology/approachThis study demonstrates a new technology to manufacture nonplanar (curved) glass fiber composite parts using a transparent, reconfigurable tool mounted on a commercial vat photopolymerization 3D printer. The tool comprises small transparent rods actuated by pushing a printed neat resin mold against the tool to generate a curved surface. The resulting surface is locked in place, and a curved composite is then made by sandwiching a resin wetted fiber mat between the tool and the part, followed by applying pressure and ultraviolet light exposure. The tooling and printing processes are demonstrated using a commercial vat photopolymerization 3D printer. The technology's performance and limitations are assessed through 3D profilometry and mechanical testing of printed parts.FindingsThe tool successfully produces various curved composite parts via a rapid and facile method. Mechanical testing shows that the printed parts have satisfactory performance, validating the method's effectiveness.Originality/valueThis approach provides a simple, cost-effective way to prototype and replicate curved fiber-reinforced parts, eliminating the need for expensive tooling and advancing the field of composite manufacturing.
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Details
- Title
- A reconfigurable tool for vat photopolymerization of curved fiber reinforced composite parts
- Creators
- Mohanad Idrees - Drexel UniversityGiuseppe R. Palmese - Drexel UniversityNicolas J. Alvarez - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Rapid prototyping journal
- Publisher
- Emerald Group Publishing
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- Army Research Laboratory; United States Department of Defense; US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) W911NF-17-2-0227 / Army Research Laboratory; United States Department of Defense; US Army Research Laboratory (ARL)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001576999600001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105017140896
- Other Identifier
- 991022118673204721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Engineering, Mechanical
- Materials Science, Multidisciplinary