Infill density

As we mentioned some Aura parameters in the previous post, let us discuss one of the most basic: the infill density. This parameter serves to adjust the inner structure. A printed part, although it looks like a solid piece of plastic, has a complex internal structure. Why create this complexity?

Technically, nothing prevents you from printing the part as one piece. But it is possible to greatly reduce material consumption and printing time by leaving spaces inside the part, so solid infill is replaced with cellular infill.

It is the well-known and familiar grid inside the part. It helps the part work as a solid piece of material while having pretty much space inside. Infill density can vary from 100% (and obviously, if you set it to 100% the part will really be monolithic) to 0% (completely empty inside). By varying this parameter, you can achieve the necessary balance of strength/consumption of material + printing time.

As composite 3D printing allows to use anisotropic characteristics of carbon fiber, a composite infill is a strong boost to mechanical characteristics of a part. Plus, there appears one more peculiarity: the ability yo choose fiber paths and directions, which is tightly connected with topological optimization that we covered previously.