Abstract:Additive manufacturing (AM) provides many benefits such as reduced manufacturing lead times, streamlined supply chains, part consolidation, structural optimisation and improved buyto-fly ratios. Barriers to adoption include high material and processing costs, low build rates, isotropic material properties, and variable processing conditions. Currently AM polymer parts are far less expensive to manufacture than AM metal parts, therefore improving the properties of polymer parts is highly desirable. This paper introduces a design methodology used to integrate continuous reinforcement into AM polymer parts with the aim of improving their mechanical properties. The method is validated with the design and testing of three case studies, a pulley housing, hook and universal joint used to demonstrate the applicability of the method for tensile, bending and torsion loading types respectively.Physical testing showed that it was possible to improve the strength of parts by over 4000%,