01
Fixed sectionImpregnate
The molten polymer wets each bundle while the bundles are still apart: the matrix reaches the fibers before they are compacted.
Proprietary technology · Composite filaments
Where continuous fiber is born
At the heart of our materials is a rotating die impregnation process: continuous fiber bundles and molten polymer become a composite filament ready for 3D printing. See how it works, one section at a time.
3D animation of the process · use the bar below to move between chapters.
The process
Three sections, three functions
The die is split into fixed and rotating sections. Each one performs a specific task on the fiber bundles, in the order the material passes through them.
02
Rotating sectionCompact
Rotation drags the melt and pushes the bundles towards the axis, twisting them together: the flow helps the matrix penetrate the bundle.
03
Fixed sectionAlign
The second fixed section stops the rotation: the bundles and the polymer flow realign along the filament axis before exiting.
→
OutputWind
The composite filament leaves the die, cools and is wound onto the spool, ready for printing.
Why it matters
Part quality starts with the filament
In continuous-fiber 3D printing, part performance depends on filament quality: poorly impregnated fibers leave voids and dry spots that reduce stiffness and strength.
Controlling impregnation upstream means controlling part properties downstream. That is why we design the material together with the process and the component.
- Fibers
- Glass, carbon, aramid
- Matrices
- Engineering thermoplastics, including recycled
- Format
- Continuous filament on spool
- Development
- Materials on request, assessed on feasibility
Insights · News
From our work
Case studies, technical insights and news from OPTIDE.
Articles are currently published in Italian.
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