3D printing and the benefits for aviation

Additive manufacturing technology has made a lasting impression on the aerospace industry in recent years. 3D printing massively simplifies the production of small and complex components. Based on user-defined parameters, 3D printing allows the cost-efficient production of components.

Nowadays, it is possible to manufacture lightweight and airworthy aircraft parts from high-performance thermoplastics that have the temperature, chemical and UV resistance required for aircraft.

Engineers are now increasingly relying on Additive Manufacturing to turn their ideas into reality faster. The ability to produce models and prototypes on the spot and on demand means that tests can be carried out on components far more quickly, maximizing production efficiency. This in turn minimizes the time between idea and implementation and thus the time to release, which saves costs.

Advantages of Additive Manufacturing for aviation

Weight reduction

Industrial 3D printers can produce very strong and lightweight structures, which allow a weight reduction of 40 – 60 %.
This ensures leaner cost structures, material savings and lower fuel consumption.

Fewer individual parts

3D printing enables the integration of components with maximum functionality in as few individual parts as possible.
This ensures lower assembly and quality assurance costs and the elimination of weak points associated with assembling many different components.

Flexibility

The tool-less production process enables faster implementation of necessary product adjustments, which means that errors can be eliminated more quickly and improvements can be realized faster.
This provides greater flexibility in product development.

Saving storage space

By producing components on demand, spare parts do not have to be stored in a long-term and cost-intensive manner but can simply be produced in-house at high speed as soon as they are needed.
This ensures less storage space is required and thus saves costs.

Lower CO2 emissions

Lighter and more efficient components such as engines and turbines can massively reduce aircraft fuel consumption.
This ensures lower CO2 emissions and thus a lower impact on the environment.

Cost savings

Additive Manufacturing provides cost savings in many different areas. Faster production, less required storage space, tool-less manufacturing, more flexibility and much more make 3D printing a guarantor for cost savings.

Conclusion

3D printing provides better quality, faster production and reduced costs in the aerospace industry.
More and more manufacturers of aircraft parts are switching to additive manufacturing. A trend that will almost certainly continue in the future!