Fiber-Reinforced Clay: An Exploratory Study on Automated Thread Insertion for Enhanced Structural Integrity in LDM

This exploratory study examines the potential of combining clay and natural fiber material in liquid deposition modeling (LDM) to enhance the structural integrity of the soft-bodied print during the additive manufacturing (AM) process. For this purpose, a custom extruder module and a support structure have been developed as novel additions to the delta 3D printer that allows for automated fiber thread insertion into the deposit clay body and stabilize the 3D print during drying. This study explores material compatibility and durability in the liquid state and the material strength of the sintered ceramic body after pyrolysis of the natural fibers. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of an automated process for thread insertion and tensioning control to stabilize and control the 3D print until drying and showcase the versatile design possibilities of this method. The study may serve as a baseline for future research on fiber-reinforced clay printing in the construction industry and related disciplines.