LATTICE STRUCTURES

#OneWordFromAnisoprintingWorld

In the previous word, we figured out that all composites are anisotropic and anisotropy can be an advantage if it is used correctly. What does it mean? Read below.

The most optimal shape for continuous fiber reinforced composites is the lattice structure.

Lattice structures allow using the amount of material that is exactly required for bearing expected load. Therefore you get a huge advantage in terms of weight, production time, and the final price of the part.

Reinforcing with composite lattice structures allowed to decrease the mass of payload adapter up to 60% and increase the ultimate strength up to 33%.

The peculiarity of the lattice structures is the effective distribution of loads along the fibers. The internal forces are limited in the material to just one direction in every rib to focus on the maximum composite material strength and stiffness in that direction.

Lattice structures are durable and resistant to damage since all the ribs are independent of each other. When one of the ribs is damaged, the load is redistributed to the others, and the structure remains operational.

For example, Vickers Wellingtons, bombers that were used during the World War II, continued functioning even with the huge amount of damages due to lattice fuselage.

Metal lattices are cool, but it’s difficult and expensive to manufacture them. Moreover, metal is isotropic that means it has redundant transverse properties while composites have all their properties along the fibers. So, it’s more optimal to make lattices from composites, not metals.

The lattice structures are the first part anisoprinting is based on. You’ll learn the second in the next letter.