Aerospace is currently one of the industries being most transformed by 3D printing, as well as validating it as a source of true progress and innovation that’s here to stay. Within the sector, 3D printing is leading to higher quality components that can be produced faster and more affordably; in fact, most aerospace companies these days are using 3D printing in one way, shape, or form.
As Stratasys, with a massive global presence, delves more and more deeply into the aerospace industry, they’ve made a real difference in the way companies manufacture parts. For example, entities like United Launch Alliance use Stratasys solutions for manufacturing flight ready rocket components made out of high performance thermoplastic, and companies like Airbus use 3D printed parts for their A350 XWB program.
Many Stratasys clients, including NASA, are clearly demonstrating the positive changes they are all able to make using 3D printed components, as well as meeting crucial deadlines faster. Topping that, companies are producing 3D printed components made with even more durable quality through the use of thermoplastic materials like ULTEM. And saving millions of dollars is certainly motivating; for instance, ULA is able to save up to 95 percent with some of the items they are now able to 3D print with their several Stratasys Fortus 900MC machines (according to a recent IBTimes UK article).
Stratasys is using the air show venue to promote and explain the ways 3D printing in aerospace is positive, via:
- Supply chain efficiency
- Production of more lightweight flight parts
- Improved buy-to-fly ratios
More specifically, they want to show how 3D printing can directly impact exact requirements of manufacturers and suppliers in the industry, giving them greater opportunity to produce lightweight, high-performance parts that have greater functionality with FST and FAA approved material. The foundation for use and benefit to be found in 3D printing, of course, also lies in allowing users to create and 3D print–and revise–design prototypes quickly. Changes can be made easily and affordably without having to recreate the wheel (or wing, as the case may be).
“Aerospace companies are leveraging additive manufacturing solutions to enhance buy-to-fly ratios and simplify the manufacture and assembly of complex part geometries,” said Andy Storm, General Manager of Aerospace, Automotive, & Defense Vertical Solutions. “This simplifies customers’ structured bills of material on aircraft and leads to increased supply chain efficiencies and reduced overhead costs associated with maintaining and executing contracts for each part.”
“Our additive manufacturing solutions produce complex parts on-demand, ensuring on-time delivery at the point of use. We encourage interested aerospace customers to visit the Stratasys booth during the show to speak with a Vertical Solutions technical expert.”
Stratasys speakers will discuss topics ranging from qualifications of 3D components within the industry to discussing the impacts it is having, along with the advancements rapidly occurring.
Those speaking, all from Stratasys, are as follows:
- Frederick Claus – to discuss ‘Qualification of Additive Manufactured Flight Rated Components for Military and Commercial Aerospace Applications’
- Alissa Wild – to discuss the latest advancements in FDM 3D printing
- Scott Sevcik – to present Additive Manufacturing Impact in Aerospace
- Tim Schniepp – to discuss Additive Manufacturing of Composite Tooling using FDM 3D printing technology
Will you be attending this airshow, or attending any other upcoming similar shows highlighting 3D printing in the near future? Discuss your thoughts on the impacts Stratasys 3D printers are having in aerospace, along with how the technology is affecting this sector in general, in the 3D Printing and Aerospace forum over at 3DPB.com.
Complex arrays are made of ULTEM 9085 for NASA
