3D Printing for the Aerospace Industry – Key Benefits
The aerospace industry, with its early adoption of 3D printing, has evolved to a considerable degree in the 21st century. Compared to older methodologies, such as injection moulding, 3D printing allows for great flexibility. There are a range of areas in which 3D printing has impacted the aerospace industry. Let’s explore some of these ways in more detail.
Large Scale Engine Aircraft Components
Back in 2016, Rolls Royce revealed what was the largest 3D printed component to date. The component in question formed part of the Rolls Royce Trent XWB-97 engine. It consisted of a titanium front piece with a 1.5 metre diameter, housing 48 aerofoils.
This component was printed using electron beam melting technology. Innovations such as this demonstrate the versatility of additive manufacturing for aerospace applications.
Production
Often, aircraft components are produced in short run. In many cases this results in high costs for production. However, additive manufacturing is now helping lower production costs. 3D printing allows for short run productions of intricate and large scale aircraft components. Parts produced are often more lightweight and resilient than parts made with more traditional methods.
Lightweight Aircraft Components
The need to reduce weight is fundamental in reducing environmental impacts associated with flying. By reducing an aircraft’s weight. 3D printed parts can help reduce air drag. This in turn helps to lessen fuel consumption.
Aircraft weight increases drag as the wings have to generate sufficient lift in order to help the aircraft fly. Thus the heavier an aircraft is, the lower its cruising altitude will be as a result of the air density required to lift it. The higher the density the higher the impact of draft. In a world that is becoming increasingly more conscious of the environment, 3D printing brings welcome change.
Summary
Similar to how the engineering and automotive industries have been revolutionised by 3D printing, so too has the aerospace industry. Compared to older methods like injection moulding, 3D printing has allowed for far greater flexibility. It has allowed for the production of large scale complex aircraft components such as the Rolls Royce Trent XWB-97 engine. Aerospace workers have benefited from the lower production costs associated with 3D printing. The environment have also benefited from the ability to produce lighter weight aircraft components that reduce drag, lessening fuel consumption.
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