3D Printing in the Aerospace Industry: How to use the technology to create complex parts
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a revolutionary technology that has transformed many industries, including aerospace. This technology allows the creation of complex parts with geometries that are impossible to realise with traditional manufacturing methods. This article will explore how 3D printing is used in the aerospace industry and how it can help create complex parts.
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Benefits of 3D printing for the aerospace industry
Weight reduction: 3D printing allows the creation of lighter parts than traditional methods due to the possibility of creating honeycomb or latex structures. This weight reduction leads to greater energy efficiency and lower fuel consumption.
Reduced cost and production time: Additive manufacturing enables the production of parts without using expensive tools and reduces production time by eliminating intermediate steps between design and manufacture.
Customisation: 3D printing offers greater flexibility in the design and customisation of parts, enabling the creation of components optimised for specific applications.
Sustainability: Additive manufacturing reduces waste by using only the material needed to create parts, unlike traditional methods that require cutting and removing excess material.
How to create complex parts with 3D printing in the aerospace industry
CAD design: The first step in creating complex parts is to design the components using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software. The designer can utilise the freedom offered by 3D printing to create complex geometries and lightweight structures.
Material selection: Depending on requirements, different materials, such as metal, plastic, or composites, can be used for 3D printing. In the aerospace industry, the most common materials are titanium alloys, aluminium, and nickel-based superalloys.
Preparation of print files: After completing the design, the CAD model must be converted into a format compatible with the 3D printer. This usually involves creating a ‘slice’ of the model, i.e. a series of layers that will be deposited on each other during printing.
3D printing: The 3D printer builds the part by depositing the material layer by layer, according to the print file. Several 3D printing technologies, such as selective laser melting (SLM) or fused material deposition (FDM), are suitable for the aerospace industry.
Post-processing: After printing, some parts may require further processing, such as media removal, heat treatment to improve mechanical properties or surface finishing.
3D printing has brought numerous benefits to the aerospace industry. It has made it possible to create complex parts that were impossible to produce using traditional methods. Thanks to this technology, the aerospace industry can continue to innovate and develop more efficient, sustainable, and safer solutions.