Researchers at the State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Northwestern Polytechnical University have been experimenting with 3D printing since 1995. And just recently they announced that they had printed a huge 3 meter wingspar out of titanium, strong enough to meet standards for aerospace use. Colour us impressed – to my knowledge, no one has created pieces that big, ever. Concrete or plastic, yes. Titanium? Oh my goodness.
One of the key industries that 3D printing is being used in as a direct-to-manufacture technique is aerospace. Weight reduction without sacrificing safety is the name of the game – 3D Printing has changed the game completely. Internal lattice structures, un-millable shapes and topological optimization are just a few of the most common ways airplanes can become lighter. Even the smallest weight reduction can save airlines millions of dollars. According to Wired Magazine, for every 25 gram packet of peanuts that is left on the ground, American Airlines saves $2,000 per year. No wonder those dinky bags are so small.
Right now I bet you’re asking ‘as-if they’re going to use that spar’. Well yes they are. It is expected to be installed in the new Comac C919 passenger airplane (above) in 2014 and flying by 2016. Lab director Huang Weidong had all this to say.
Modern aerospace industry has stringent requirements, so complex additive manufacturing processes must be developed to meet to ensure that products can achieve the robust performance levels established by traditional manufacturing methods…..Furthermore, aerospace parts have often complex structure, it could cost thousands or millions dollars to raplace the damage parts. LAM can be employed in repairing these metal parts without changes the preformance and it can save our time and cost significantly.
Seems like a challenge has been laid down to US and EU manufacturers. Otherwise, it’s meep meep.