Airbus to use 3D printed components in its planes

[Ockie]

Starting in March, Airbus will install the first 3D printed metal components on its airplanes. The lightweight components are made of titanium ...

http://www.dw.com/en/airbus-to-use-3d-printed-components-in-its-planes/av-19053208



Video in the link

 

[saor]

[video=youtube;wJwE-af5ZBI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJwE-af5ZBI[/video]

Cool to see the process become a commercially viable manufacturing process. Any changes to the part can be implemented with the next run of the machine rather than have to wait for alterations to molds and other forming methods. That gap between digital input and physical output is gradually shrinking - part revisions are no less laborious than updating the digital model and allowing the manufacturing process to naturally follow.

 

[Draganchor]

http://www.dw.com/en/airbus-to-use-3d-printed-components-in-its-planes/av-19053208



Video in the link

Sorry Ockie, this has been going on locally form some time, I can't find the link right now but apparently Denel has the biggest "metal" printer in the world, think I read it New Scientist or something like that.
Will keep hunting the link for you.

In the interim, if anyone is interested

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/ar...ect-making-good-use-of-3d-printing-2015-11-04


http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/topic/denel

Oops found it;

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/ar...-powder-bed-3d-printing-technology-2015-11-05

 

[The_Assimilator]

Sorry Ockie, this has been going on locally form some time, I can't find the link right now but apparently Denel has the biggest "metal" printer in the world, think I read it New Scientist or something like that.
Will keep hunting the link for you.

In the interim, if anyone is interested

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/ar...ect-making-good-use-of-3d-printing-2015-11-04


http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/topic/denel

Oops found it;

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/ar...-powder-bed-3d-printing-technology-2015-11-05

There's a big difference between "it's been going on locally" and "one of the two largest airplane manufacturers in the world is ready to use it on production aircraft".

 

[ponder]

There's a big difference between "it's been going on locally" and "one of the two largest airplane manufacturers in the world is ready to use it on production aircraft".

+1 The SA one will only come into play in 2017.

 

[garyc]

The South African Aeroswift printer that is still under construction will be the world's largest titanium printer. The more normal sized printers that are in the country have made parts that have already been in test flights.