Reducing the complexity and weight of parts in the aerospace and defense industry can increase performance, while also lowering overall cost and energy expenditures. The FAA is currently developing a plan for how to deal with the rate at which the industry is adopting 3D printing technology, and multiple companies are researching new 3D printing materials for the industry, so the potential positive impact of the technology on the aerospace sector will almost certainly increase.
These impressive certifications aren’t the only milestones – the company’s new facility will be the first to use lean manufacturing principles for large-scale additive manufacturing, and this week, Sintavia announced that it is the first company to receive internal approval to 3D print flightworthy production parts, using a powder bed fusion process, for Honeywell Aerospace.
“We have been working with Honeywell for over 18 months as part of their rigorous supplier qualification. We are grateful that all of our team’s hard work has paid off, and are looking forward to demonstrating the many benefits of additive manufacturing within Honeywell’s supply chain in the form of lower costs, shorter manufacturing times, and dramatic design improvements,” said Brian R. Neff, Sintavia’s Chairman and CEO.
Sintavia’s approval covers all of Honeywell’s programs. As we continue to see examples of 3D printing being used to lower lead times and wasted material, along with increasing energy efficiency, complexity, and mass customization, OEMs like Honeywell will more than likely rely even more on the traditionally used Tier One risk/reward supply chain model to manage the costs of their important manufacturing projects.
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