How 3D Printing has been implemented in the Aerospace Industry
Markforged Aerospace 3D Printing
Aerospace industry leaders are improving responsiveness with use of Additive Manufacturing from on-demand MRO to innovation in Urban Air Mobility.
Markforged is helping engineers reimagine how people and parts get from where they are to where they need to go. Additive has never been so ready, with traceable, flight-ready Onyx FR-A and Carbon Fiber FR-A 3D prints. They allow for a lighter more efficient design process in aviation or automotive manufacturing.
Inholland University: Ultimaker
Teacher of Aviation Technology (Martin Kampinga) and students at Inholland University have been using the Ultimaker 3D printers. They have been using this along side Cura software, with great results. They’ve printed two rockets so far- one that returned safely from space.
The students pointed out that the majority of what they do is design. The advantage of 3D Printing is that they can rapidly design something to see if it works. This allows them to quickly iterate in their design process. Machining takes a lot of time and money and 3D printing makes things faster as well as cheaper. Martin Kampinga suggested that every University should offer 3D Printing in their curriculum for design. He stated that “Students need to know that alternative production methods exist”.
Large Parts with Additive Manufacture
Metal additive manufacturing is a powerful new technology. It has the potential to revolutionize industries from transportation, construction and engineering. One of its biggest barriers has been that it cannot produce large parts until now.
At Incodema3D, director of business development James Hockey argues that metal AM is a cost-saving opportunity. The opportunity of this is to reduce material waste. He says his customers have approached him for additive ready designs. This is because they know the benefits in production time and costs significantly compared to traditional manufacturing methods.