Manufacturers worldwide are rethinking the role of metal in production. Not because metal is failing — but because better options are now within reach. High-performance polymers, reinforced and engineered for demanding applications, are proving they can do the job — often better, faster, and at a lower cost.

At Chemtron, we supply industrial 3D printers from Markforged, a leader in composite and metal additive manufacturing. These printers are built for production environments where strength, precision, and speed matter. What makes them stand out is their ability to produce parts that compete directly with metal components — without the weight, machining time, or expense.

A big part of this capability comes from Onyx®, Markforged’s flagship composite base material. Onyx is a micro carbon fiber-filled nylon that delivers parts with exceptional accuracy and a near-perfect surface finish. It balances strength, toughness, and chemical resistance, making it one of the most versatile materials in the field. Used alone, it already outperforms many traditional plastics. But when reinforced with Markforged’s continuous fibers, Onyx parts can match the strength of aluminum — all while being lighter and faster to produce. Today, over a million Onyx parts are in active use across industries, reshaping the way manufacturers approach their toughest challenges.

This isn’t about replacing metal, it’s about applying the right material where it makes the most sense — and in many cases, advanced polymers are that solution. They’re tough, lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and much faster to produce. Whether it’s jigs, fixtures, spare parts, or even final-use components, Markforged machines give manufacturers the freedom to move faster without compromising quality.

Here’s what you gain:

• Shorter Lead Times — Skip outsourcing and produce parts in-house, on your schedule.
• Reduced Costs — Lower material and production costs, while extending the life of your tooling.
• More Design Freedom — Create complex geometries and custom parts that traditional methods can’t easily achieve.

Chemtron works closely with manufacturers to integrate Markforged technology into existing operations. We’re not here to sell hype — we’re here to deliver practical solutions that make a real impact on your bottom line.

Aerospace companies are turning to additive manufacturing (AM) to stay ahead of shifting supply chain challenges and labor shortages. From on-demand spare parts to innovations in Urban Air Mobility, 3D printing makes it easier to work with familiar materials while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

With AM, you can print end-use carbon fiber composites overnight—no long lead times, no expensive expedited fees. High-performance thermoplastics with excellent FST properties and CFR reinforcement offer the strength and lightweight benefits aerospace demands.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

• How AM is shaping the aerospace industry
• Ways to speed up tooling and prototyping
• How companies tackle compliance and regulations
• Advanced composite materials for in-flight use
• How automated inspections ensure strong, ready-to-use parts

What the Aerospace Industry Needs

In a highly regulated industry, aerospace manufacturers, OEMs, MRO providers, and airlines must balance safety, performance, and efficiency—all while meeting strict regulatory standards.

Lighter, Stronger, More Efficient

Aircraft have shifted from aluminum alloys to advanced composites like carbon fiber—today, a Boeing 787 is 50% composite by weight and 80% by volume. Why? Because lighter parts mean better fuel efficiency and lower CO₂ emissions.

3D-printed composite parts are taking flight, replacing traditional materials without sacrificing strength. Carbon fiber-reinforced prints using aerospace-grade materials can be as strong as 6061-T6 aluminum, but significantly lighter—helping manufacturers cut weight without compromising safety or reliability.

Advanced Materials for Aerospace

Beyond strength and low weight, aerospace materials need to be corrosion-resistant and withstand extreme temperatures. Aerospace-ready materials like Onyx FR-A, Carbon Fiber FR-A, and ULTEM 9085* (printable on the FX20) are built to handle the demands of flight.

Meeting Regulatory Standards

Every aircraft part must meet strict FAA or EASA requirements for strength, durability, UV exposure, fluid sensitivity, vibration, flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST). Choosing pre-qualified materials streamlines the approval process—avoiding costly redesigns and repeated testing.

FR-A materials on the Digital Forge provide lot-level traceability and meet the necessary test suite under 14 CFR 25.853 for most 3D-printable aerospace parts.

Material Traceability for Reliability

Traceable materials come with full documentation, including a Certificate of Conformance (CoC) and Certificate of Analysis (CoA), ensuring consistent quality. Onyx FR-A and Carbon Fiber FR-A, printed on the Markforged X7, are currently undergoing NCAMP qualification.

Simplifying Production with Part Consolidation

With the FX20’s large 525 x 400 x 400 mm build volume, manufacturers can replace multi-part assemblies with single, strong, lightweight components—reducing assembly time, minimizing errors, and improving efficiency.

Why Aerospace is Turning to Additive Manufacturing

Compared to traditional manufacturing, additive manufacturing (AM) offers clear advantages for aerospace companies—faster production, optimized designs, cost savings, and the ability to print parts exactly where they’re needed, reducing reliance on tooling and long supply chains.

Small-batch production with Greater Flexibility

Aerospace often requires small production runs of specialized parts. With AM, these can be produced quickly and cost-effectively, without the need for expensive fixtures and tooling.

Faster Prototyping and Production

With distributed manufacturing, critical parts can be printed on-site in days instead of waiting weeks for global shipments. Even placeholder parts can be printed immediately, keeping assembly lines moving while awaiting end-use components.

Streamlining the Supply Chain

OEMs using AM can reduce dependence on multiple suppliers, cutting down on logistical delays and supply chain risks. When a missing part can halt production for weeks, 3D printing ensures manufacturing stays agile, adaptable, and resilient.

Unlocking Complex Designs

AM allows for lightweight, high-strength parts that would be impractical with traditional manufacturing. Advanced software can automatically generate optimized structures with features like geometric infill and continuous fiber reinforcement (CFR), reducing material use while maintaining performance.

What is Continuous Fiber Reinforcement (CFR)?

CFR is a proprietary Markforged process that strengthens Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) parts by embedding continuous fibers into the print. Unlike standard FFF printing, which relies on plastic infill, CFR replaces this with high-strength fibers laid within the part’s layers.

The result? Parts that are up to 10 times stronger than traditional FFF materials—lightweight, yet durable enough to replace aluminum components in aerospace applications. CFR parts provide exceptional stiffness and tensile strength at a much lower weight compared to metal, making them ideal for aerospace, automotive, and other high-performance industries.

Why Use CFR in Aerospace Manufacturing?

• Stronger Parts – CFR technology lets you adjust part strength dynamically, from plastic-grade to aluminum-grade, allowing for highly durable 3D-printed components.
• Longer Lifespan – With superior stiffness, strength, and wear resistance, CFR parts outperform standard FFF prints in real-world applications.
• Heat & Chemical Resistance – CFR parts withstand high temperatures in most manufacturing environments, while the short-fiber-filled filaments used in the process offer excellent chemical resistance.

The Future of Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace

As composite 3D printing gains traction in aerospace, advancements in technology continue to push boundaries. Larger build volumes, higher precision, improved surface finishes, user-friendly interfaces, and high-performance thermoplastics are unlocking new possibilities for aerospace applications.

Meet the FX20

The FX20 takes the power of The Digital Forge and Continuous Fiber Reinforcement (CFR) to an entirely new level—offering unprecedented size, speed, and capability for aerospace manufacturing.

• Unmatched Scale & Speed – The FX20 is the largest and most precise Markforged printer yet, featuring an 84L heated build chamber and a verified flat vacuum bed for superior print quality. Its turbo mode allows for rapid part production, while XL material spools reduce downtime from spool changes.
• Precision Engineering – The motion control system features closed-loop control with precision linear encoders, ensuring accuracy for complex aerospace components.
• Effortless Operation – The FX20’s large touchscreen interface, automated calibration and leveling, and real-time performance monitoring make it incredibly easy to use.
• Advanced Material Handling – The built-in material cabinet actively maintains moisture control, storing up to four XL spools to ensure print consistency.

With the FX20, aerospace manufacturers can now print larger, stronger parts faster than ever, opening new doors for innovation in flight.

Conclusion

Modern additive manufacturing (AM) platforms provide aerospace manufacturers with significant advantages over traditional production methods. By enabling in-house part fabrication, increased design flexibility, faster development cycles, reduced tooling costs, and improved supply chain control, AM is transforming the way aerospace components are made.

Advancements in continuous fiber reinforcement (CFR) and high-performance AM materials have made it easier for aerospace manufacturers to adopt strong, lightweight, and flight-ready components. With FAA/EASA-compliant materials featuring lot-level traceability, qualifying parts for flight is now more streamlined than ever.

The aerospace industry’s reliance on additively manufactured composites is set to grow in the coming years. As manufacturers continue to refine their AM expertise and qualify more parts for flight, initiatives like AM Forward will further accelerate adoption, making AM a cornerstone of modern aerospace production.

In advanced manufacturing, materials and methods have evolved to meet the demand for lightweight, strong, and durable components. Two key approaches are Continuous Fiber Fabrication (CFF) and Traditional Composite Manufacturing. Although both reinforce materials with strong fibers, their processes and benefits differ significantly. In this blog, we’ll highlight the main distinctions and advantages of each method to help you identify the best fit for specific applications.

What is Continuous Fiber Fabrication (CFF)?

CFF is an additive manufacturing technique, or 3D printing, where continuous strands of fiber such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, or Kevlar are embedded in a thermoplastic matrix during printing. Fibers are precisely placed to reinforce the part, thus making it stronger and more durable.

Key Features of CFF:

• Automated Fiber Placement: The printing process embeds the fibers, enabling a controlled, repeatable manufacturing process.
• Customizable Strength: Fiber placement is customized based on the stress requirements of specific areas within the part.
• Low Waste: Additive Manufacturing reduces waste, or excess material, reducing waste, and costs.

Comparing CFF and Traditional Composite Manufacturing 

Continuous Fiber Fabrication (CFF) and Traditional Composite Manufacturing differ in accuracy, customization, speed, waste management, and application. CFF offers greater precision through automated fiber placement, allowing for highly customizable parts with minimal material waste, making it ideal for the rapid production of small to medium-sized components. In contrast, Traditional Composite Manufacturing relies on manual or semi-automated processes, leading to variability in quality. However, it’s better suited for large-scale or structurally critical components, despite higher initial costs due to tooling and labor. 

Ultimately, CFF is best for functional prototypes and custom designs, while traditional methods are commonly used in aerospace and marine industries for large-scale applications.

Advantages of Continuous Fiber Fabrication

• Ease of Use: CFF systems require minimal setup and can often be operated by non-experts.
• Cost-Effective for Prototyping: Eliminates the need for molds and extensive manual labor, reducing initial costs.
• On-Demand Manufacturing: Perfect for low-volume production and customized designs.

Challenges with Traditional Compositing Method

• Labor-intensive and time-consuming: Traditional composite manufacturing techniques, like hand lay-up or RTM, are labor-intensive and time-consuming due to their reliance on manual processes.
• Inconsistent results due to manual intervention: Inconsistent results due to human intervention: Human involvement can introduce variability in results due to differences in techniques, material handling, or environmental conditions during manufacturing. Even small deviations can lead to weaker sections and defects, increasing the need for rework or scrapping parts.

Conclusion

At Chemtron, we are committed to empowering businesses and innovators through the application of advanced manufacturing technologies. Whether you seek to explore the precision afforded by Continuous Fiber Fabrication or enhance traditional composite manufacturing processes, we possess the expertise and solutions necessary to guide you. We encourage you to contact us today to learn how a Carbon Fiber 3D printer from Markforged can transform your manufacturing and prototyping workflows.

Coming in as a low-density carbon fiber, Nylon Carbon Fiber is perfect for production and prototyping due to its comparative strength-to-weight ratio. What can you make with a Nylon Carbon Fiber 3D printer? Let’s explore its potential across different sectors.

Markforged’s Compatibility with Nylon Carbon Fiber

Nylon is a versatile, non-abrasive thermoplastic ideal for ergonomic surfaces and work-holding applications that require gentle handling. It can also be easily painted or dyed for customization.

Markforged’s Nylon Carbon Fiber material works with their X3, X7, Mark Two, and FX20 3D printers, ensuring high performance and precision for various applications.

1. Automotive: Driving the Future

In automotive applications, strength and weight reduction are essential. A Nylon Carbon Fiber 3D printer enables you to achieve these goals effectively.

• Custom parts: Brackets, housings, and intake manifolds for specific applications.
• Prototypes: Durable models for rigorous testing.
• Interior components: Lightweight, strong dashboard trims and clips.

Markforged printers enable engineers to produce components that withstand stress while maintaining a lightweight design, fostering innovation throughout the industry.

2. Aerospace: Lightweight Excellence

In aerospace, minimizing weight improves performance and efficiency. Nylon Carbon Fiber 3D printers are ideal for creating:

• Structural components: Lightweight yet durable brackets and panels.
• Drone parts: Sturdy frames, mounts, and propellers.
• Tooling aids: Precision tools for assembly and maintenance.

This material has a high strength-to-weight ratio, which guarantees safety and reliability in high-performance aerospace applications.

3. Manufacturing and Prototyping: Improving Productivity

Nylon carbon fiber is perfect for manufacturing durable parts. With a nylon carbon fiber 3D printer, you can create:

• End-use components: Durable gears, pulleys, and sprockets for industry. 
• Jigs and fixtures: Customized tools for process efficiency.
• Heat-resistant molds Ideal for injection molding

Chemtron’s Markforged solutions assist manufacturers in achieving precision and optimizing workflows, thereby unlocking new levels of efficiency.

4. Robotics: The Ideal Partner for Precision

Robots need parts that are both lightweight and strong, and a Nylon Carbon Fiber 3D printer achieves this.

• Robot arms consist of stiff and lightweight components designed for industrial tasks.
• Grippers feature durable mechanisms suitable for handling both heavy and delicate items.
• Protective housings serve as enclosures for sensors and motors.

These components are crucial for developing advanced and agile robotics that fulfill the increasing demands of automation.

5. Medical Applications: Using Precision to Improve Outcomes

The medical field benefits from the adaptability and strength of Nylon Carbon Fiber. Common applications include:

• Prosthetics: Lightweight designs that enhance mobility.  
• Orthotics: Custom braces for improved comfort.  
• Surgical tools: Precision instruments that are sterilizable.

Markforged technology enables healthcare providers to easily create solutions that are centered around patient needs.

6. Consumer Electronics: Durable and Lightweight

A Nylon Carbon Fiber 3D printer is excellent at producing strong, lightweight components for electronics, such as:

• Phone cases: Stylish designs with impact resistance.
• Drone bodies: Lightweight structures for enhanced performance.
• Laptop stands: Durable, ergonomic supports.

Using Nylon Carbon Fiber allows you to create products that provide both durability and functionality.

Advantages of Selecting Nylon Carbon Fiber for 3D Printing Applications

• Strength-to-weight ratio: Ideal for creating lightweight, durable components.  
• Heat resistance: Suitable for high-demand environments.  
• Durability: Outstanding wear resistance for industrial-grade uses.  
• Stiffness: Excellent for use in structural and mechanical applications.

Combining Chemtron’s expertise with Markforged’s industry-leading technology, Nylon Carbon Fiber 3D printers can transform ideas into tangible, high-performance solutions.

Conclusion

At Chemtron, we are dedicated to helping businesses and creators grow with advanced 3D printing solutions. Contact us today to learn how a Nylon Carbon Fiber 3D printer from Markforged can enhance your manufacturing and prototyping processes.

The aerospace industry has always been synonymous with cutting-edge innovation, driven by a relentless pursuit of technology that can push the limits of flight and space exploration. One of the most promising advancements of recent years is 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM). In aerospace, this technology creates a profound transformation, redefining how components are designed, built, and maintained.

The Evolution of 3D Printing in Aerospace

3D printing, a niche prototyping technology just a few years ago, has reached the manufacturing space in full force. Originally, it was predominantly employed for establishing inexpensive prototypes that enabled engineers to visualize designs. But the technology has grown much broader in scope over the years, now being able to produce incredibly intricate parts that are lighter and more functional than those produced by traditional means.

3D printing is a game-changer, especially within the Aerospace sector where it is important that can make significant weight savings help to identify areas for improvement but may extend as far as cutting down on materials. As a result of this technology, people can now build anything from aircraft components to rocket parts as well as tools for spacecraft. Thus, this process enables complex geometries which would be challenging if not nearly impossible to machine through conventional machining methods. As a result, manufacturers can optimize the performance of parts, reduce waste, and cut down on production time.

Key Advantages of 3D Printing in Aerospace

• Low Weight Components: It goes beyond saying that everything is about weight in the aerospace industry. A lighter aircraft or spacecraft means less fuel is used. Lightweight components are made possible as we transition to the use of metal materials such as titanium versus metals and composite alloys and the inception of additive manufacturing (3D printing). Layer by layer, however, much of the weight can be shed with complex lattice designs that keep strength in place.
• Assembly Optimization and Rapid Prototyping: Engineers can make assembly-specific components using 3D printing which is tailored to the required specifications. This is an essential skill in the aerospace sector as every part has to satisfy its respective performance requirements. Rapid prototyping also accelerates the design process, allowing engineers to iterate fast.
• Cost Efficiency: By minimizing material waste and reducing the number of parts needed in an assembly, 3D printing helps lower manufacturing costs. Traditional methods often require a significant amount of raw material to be machined away, but additive manufacturing uses only what is necessary, reducing material consumption.]
• Reduced Lead Times: 3D printing streamlines production processes, reducing lead times from months to weeks or even days. This rapid turnaround is invaluable for aerospace companies, especially when producing replacement parts or prototypes.
• Sustainability: With a focus on sustainability, 3D printing reduces waste and energy consumption in production. The technology also has the potential to decrease the environmental impact of the aerospace industry by optimizing fuel efficiency through lightweight designs and reducing the need for extensive transportation of parts.

Real-World Applications in Aerospace

Top aerospace companies around the world have already made overt moves in incorporating 3D printing into their design and build workflows. Airbus, for one, has included 3D-printed components in its A350 XWB plane, saving weight and fuel. More than 60,000 spacecraft and satellite parts were made with 3D printing by Boeing, one of RMUS’ partners.

NASA, in the space arena, is already using 3D printing to produce rocket engine parts and items for the International Space Station (ISS). One giant leap for manufacturing: the ability to 3D print tools and parts on demand in space may change the outlook on long-duration missions, potentially shrinking the inventories needed.

The Future of Aerospace Manufacturing with 3D Printing

And with the advancements made in 3D printing technology, the industry is expected to change even further. New materials such as high-temperature metals and advanced composites for producing parts with unique performance characteristics are also being researched by researchers.

Furthermore, 3D printing of complete aircraft parts or as a variation of this spaceship is a possibility. The result would eventually be a world in which the most bespoke, high-performance vehicles were generated with virtually no waste while being cheaper to boot.

Conclusion

An industry that has forever pushed the limits of possibilities, aerospace is transitioning into a new age as it embraces 3D printing. The use of additive manufacturing to deliver lower weight, greater customization, better performance, and reduced cost means new paradigms in the sector. These technological advancements that get introduced will welcome the aerospace area never to the sky would be its limit as it has only begun. 

At Chemtron Pte Ltd, we are proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, providing cutting-edge 3D printing solutions that help make these advancements possible, driving innovation and efficiency in the aerospace industry and beyond.