What Continuous Composites does

Continuous Composites is a private manufacturer of advanced composite structures and manufacturing systems headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It primarily serves aerospace and defense organizations, including the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, NASA, defense primes such as Lockheed Martin and Aurora Flight Sciences, and academic research institutions. The company is commercializing CF3D for structural, thermal-protection, propulsion, missile, aircraft, UAV, hypersonic, and space applications.

CF3D Enterprise is an integrated robotic manufacturing system that combines a 6-axis Comau robot, a proprietary deposition and impregnation end effector, continuous-fiber delivery, UV-curable thermoset resin, and in-situ snap curing. CF3D Studio generates fiber-aware toolpaths, incorporates finite-element analysis and topology optimization, and controls fiber placement, tension, and cure. The materials portfolio includes PolyMat High Tg resin with a reported 230°C glass-transition temperature and CeraMat ceramic-precursor systems for structures exposed to temperatures above 1,000°C.

The business model combines quote-based sales of enterprise hardware, software licensing, sale of process-specific materials, custom contract manufacturing, and potential patent licensing. The company uses direct enterprise selling, technical consultations, facility visits, industry events, university collaborations, and government-funded development programs. Its disclosed customer and program activity is concentrated in defense, aerospace, hypersonics, space, UAVs, and research applications.

Name

Continuous Composites

Legal name

Continuous Composites Inc.

Website

https://continuouscomposites.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Continuous Composites develops CF3D, a robotic continuous-fiber 3D-printing platform combining hardware, software, and thermoset materials to produce lightweight composite structures for aerospace, defense, hypersonics, space, and UAV programs through direct enterprise sales and funded development contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Additive Manufacturing Systems

NAICS

Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing (325211), Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521), Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252)

SIC

Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers (2821), Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555)

akta.pro primary industry

Composite & Continuous-Fiber 3D Printers (IMAAAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Composite Materials (Fiber-Reinforced Polymers & Continuous Fiber) (IMAAABAH), Composite & Continuous-Fiber 3D Printing Services (IMAAADAD), 3D Design & CAD for Additive Manufacturing (IMAAACAA), 3D Printers (Additive Manufacturing) (HDACAEAH)

Keywords

• Continuous fiber 3D printing
• Additive manufacturing systems
• Composite materials manufacturing
• Robotic fiber deposition
• Aerospace defense composites

Headquarters

HQ city

Coeur D'alene

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. CF3D Enterprise Systems: Sale of integrated hardware systems including the CF3D Enterprise platform with 6-axis robotics, proprietary end effector, controller, and integrated software. Systems are sold directly to aerospace, defense, and research organizations.
2. CF3D Studio Software: Software licensing for design, simulation, and manufacturing workflow management. Integrated with hardware systems for toolpath generation and FEA analysis.
3. Proprietary Materials (PolyMat/CeraMat): Sale of specialized UV-curable thermoset resins and material systems designed for CF3D process. Includes high-Tg polymers and ceramic matrix composites.
4. Patent Licensing: Licensing of extensive patent portfolio covering continuous fiber additive manufacturing. Currently pursuing licensing discussions and litigation to enforce IP rights.
5. Contract Manufacturing Services: Custom parts manufacturing using CF3D technology for customer-specific applications in aerospace, defense, and high-performance sectors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Continuous Composites manufactures and sells the CF3D (Continuous Fiber 3D Printing) platform, an integrated additive manufacturing system that combines 6-axis robotics, proprietary end effector, UV snap-curing thermoset resins, and CF3D Studio software to produce moldless, autoclave-free composite structures. Its offerings span the CF3D Enterprise hardware system, CF3D Studio design-to-manufacturing software, and PolyMat and CeraMat resin systems, primarily serving aerospace, defense, hypersonics, and UAV customers.

Product overview

Continuous Composites offers a full-stack platform called CF3D (Continuous Fiber 3D Printing) that combines hardware, software, and materials for advanced composite manufacturing. The core product is the CF3D Enterprise system, which integrates a 6-axis robotic platform with proprietary UV-curable resin technology and real-time fiber steering. CF3D Studio software powers the platform by translating digital designs into optimized toolpaths with built-in FEA and topology optimization. Material offerings include PolyMat High Tg for polymer matrix composites and CeraMat for ceramic matrix composites. The platform is designed for aerospace, defense, hypersonics, and UAV applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CF3D: Continuous Fiber 3D Printing technology platform combining robotics, advanced resins, and continuous fiber steering for composite manufacturing.
• CF3D Studio
• PolyMat
• CeraMat
• CF3D Enterprise

Products and services

• CF3D Enterprise Integrated robotic additive manufacturing system that simultaneously deposits and impregnates continuous dry fiber with snap-curing UV-curable thermoset resin on a 6-axis motion platform, enabling moldless, autoclave-free production of mission-grade composite structures for aerospace and defense customers.
• CF3D Studio CAD/CAM software that converts digital designs into fiber-aware toolpaths with automated fiber steering, real-time fiber placement/tension/cure control, FEA-based structural validation, and topology optimization for engineers designing anisotropic composite structures.
• PolyMat High Tg High-performance polymer matrix composite resin with a 230°C glass transition temperature, designed for the CF3D snap-curing process and used in aerospace, defense, and energy applications requiring thermal stability and mechanical strength.
• CeraMat High-temperature ceramic matrix composite resin system engineered for extreme environments such as hypersonic vehicle structures, thermal protection systems, and re-entry components surviving temperatures above 1,000°C.
• CF3D Missile Manufacturing Solutions Application of CF3D technology for manufacturing missile components including nose cones, fins, leading edges, and bulkheads for current and future Precision Strike Missile and other missile platforms, delivered under a multi-year U.S. Army ManTech contract.
• CF3D Tech Tour Technical forum and demonstration event series showcasing CF3D technology capabilities to aerospace and defense stakeholders, including government program managers, OEM engineers, and research institutions, with hardware demonstrations and engineering panels.
• CF3D Contract Manufacturing Services Custom parts manufacturing service using CF3D technology for customer-specific applications in aerospace, defense, and high-performance sectors, delivered as a professional services offering alongside hardware and software sales.

Quantifiable outcome

• 160% of design limit load achieved without damage in AFRL/Lockheed Martin wing spar testing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.

• Idaho National Laboratory (INL)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2026INL evaluating CF3D through research, testing, and application development. Provides technical validation for continuous fiber additive manufacturing technology with lessons learned from early implementation.
• America MakescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 December 2025Execution partner for U.S. Army ManTech program. Coordinates with National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining. Manages $450,000 award to University of Dayton for CFAM roadmap and supports multi-year missile manufacturing contracts.
• Auburn University Applied Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2025CF3D Enterprise cell installed at Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus in Huntsville, AL. The only CF3D system operating in Alabama. Supports hypersonic development ecosystem and serves as both research tool and prototyping capability for defense community.
• University of Washington Advanced Composites CenterstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2025CF3D Enterprise partnership to enable development and rapid manufacturing of next-generation aero and space structures. ACC focused on data-driven methods and machine learning to advance high-rate, cost-efficient composite manufacturing.
• T3 Transition Accelerator Program (Wright Brothers Institute/AFRL)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2025Selected to participate in T3 program focused on advancing technologies for military and commercial markets in aircraft structures, space systems, and UAS. Program offers intensive training to accelerate development of low-cost, reusable structures.
• Weber State University MARS CenterstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 August 2025Collaboration with Weber State's MARS (Miller Advanced Research and Solutions) Center for hypersonic research. Center is active user of CF3D technology and part of aerospace and defense innovation ecosystem near Hill Air Force Base.
• Aurora Flight Sciences (Boeing Company)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2025$2 million U.S. Army SBIR Phase Two contract to develop next-generation fuselage structures for launched effects. Aurora provides flight load data and geometric designs; Continuous Composites engineers optimized structures using CF3D technology. Project focuses on enhancing structural integrity for air-launched platforms with lightweight, high-performance designs maximizing internal volume and payload capacity.
• University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2023CF3D Enterprise system unveiled at UIUC with ribbon-cutting ceremony and technical symposium. Partnership with support from Arkema, Hexcel, Siemens, and Comau Robotics for academic research acceleration.
• Saint-GobaincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2021Joint development agreement to manufacture aerospace components using CF3D technology. Saint-Gobain leads certification for commercial aerospace applications. Facilities in U.S. and Europe to house CF3D machines. Collaboration underscores growing demand for additive manufacturing in aerospace sector.
• Lockheed Martin (AFRL WiSDM Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2021Two-year AFRL WiSDM project demonstrating CF3D technology for Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft wing structures. Printed carbon fiber spars exceeded expectations achieving 160% design limit load. Project aimed to reduce costs and lead times for aerospace wing structures.
• Siemens EnergystrategicTechnology or Integration · 4 November 2020Strategic partnership providing advanced robotic control systems for CF3D technology. Siemens contributes automation expertise enhancing CF3D capabilities.
• Comau RoboticsstrategicTechnology or Integration · 4 November 2020Partnership providing precision manufacturing and automation support. Comau supplies robotic systems integrated into CF3D Enterprise platform.
• GüdelstrategicTechnology or Integration · 4 November 2020Automation and precision manufacturing partnership supporting CF3D technology development.
• Arkema/SartomercoreTechnology or Integration · 22 November 2019Exclusive partnership developing photocurable N3xtDimension UV-curing resins for CF3D process. Collaboration creates library of out-of-autoclave, high-speed, high-performance composite resins. Reduces manufacturing costs and enhances production flexibility, eliminating need for molds and autoclaves.
• Spatial CorpstrategicTechnology or Integration · 23 May 2019Strategic partnership to develop advanced software for printing high-end composite materials. Collaboration aims to create toolpath for printing fibers in three dimensions, moving beyond traditional 2D layer stacking.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Broad incumbents

• EOS GmbH: EOS is a broad incumbent in industrial polymer and metal additive manufacturing systems with deep aerospace and defense customer relationships. While EOS does not specialize in continuous fiber printing, it competes for the same aerospace additive manufacturing budget and serves as a key platform alternative for defense primes evaluating composite production technologies.
• 3D Systems: 3D Systems is a broad incumbent in additive manufacturing with materials, software, and services spanning aerospace and defense. Comparable as a portfolio alternative for customers evaluating composite additive manufacturing solutions, including its Figure 4 and DLP platforms used in aerospace production workflows.
• Stratasys: Stratasys is a broad incumbent in polymer 3D printing with aerospace-grade systems and a growing composite materials portfolio. Comparable as an alternative procurement path for defense and aerospace additive manufacturing customers evaluating high-performance composite production, though not directly focused on continuous fiber reinforcement.
• Trumpf (Additive Manufacturing): Trumpf is a broad incumbent in industrial manufacturing with an additive manufacturing division serving aerospace and defense customers with metal and laser-based systems. Comparable as an established technology supplier competing for aerospace prime contractor budgets evaluating next-generation composite production approaches.
• Hexcel: Hexcel is a leading aerospace composite materials manufacturer producing carbon fiber reinforcements and prepregs used in primary aircraft structures. Comparable to Continuous Composites in serving defense and aerospace composite structural part requirements, though Hexcel operates in traditional autoclave-based composite manufacturing rather than moldless 3D printing.

Emerging players

• 9T Labs: 9T Labs is an emerging player specializing in continuous carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites using additive manufacturing and compression molding. Comparable to Continuous Composites in targeting high-end structural composites but with a different material system (thermoplastic vs. thermoset) and complementary molding step.
• Orbital Composites: Orbital Composites is an emerging player in robotic composite 3D printing focused on infrastructure-scale and aerospace applications. Comparable to Continuous Composites in combining multi-axis robotics with continuous fiber deposition for large-format composite structures.
• Arris Composites: Arris Composites is an emerging player in continuous fiber composite additive manufacturing using a patented Additive Molding process for high-volume structural parts. Comparable to Continuous Composites in aerospace/defense applications and continuous fiber focus, though Arris emphasizes high-volume production rather than moldless, near-net-shape 3D printing.

Direct peers

• Anisoprint: Anisoprint is a direct competitor focused on continuous fiber 3D printing using proprietary co-extrusion technology to print reinforced composite parts. Continuous Composites is in active patent infringement litigation with Anisoprint, indicating both serve overlapping customer needs in continuous fiber additive manufacturing.
• Markforged: Markforged is the most direct competitor in continuous fiber 3D printing, offering the Mark Two, Onyx Pro, X5, and X7 product lines with chopped and continuous fiber capabilities. Continuous Composites is currently in active patent litigation against Markforged, underscoring the close technical and market overlap in desktop-to-industrial continuous fiber printing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/10206945
• Xx.com/CF3DPrinting

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Continuous Composites