Airbus is additively manufacturing greater than 25,000 flight-ready elements with Stratasys expertise yearly, in response to the 3D printing vendor.
The corporate says there are greater than 200,000 licensed Stratasys polymer elements in energetic service on Airbus plane.
In line with Stratasys, latest knowledge means that using 3D printed elements on the Airbus A350 plane has resulted in a 43% weight discount, the elimination of the Minimal Order Amount (MOQ) requirement, and a 85% discount in lead time. Along with the A350, Airbus has printed elements for A320 and A400M fashions utilizing the Stratasys ULTEM 9085 filament Licensed Grade (CG) materials on a number of Stratasys FDM printers.
“Stratasys’ additive manufacturing expertise is an integral a part of our dedication to secure and sustainable aviation,” mentioned Serge Senac, Airbus Industrial Chief for Polymer Additive Manufacturing. “We will produce licensed, repeatable elements quicker, with much less reliance on complicated provide chains. This manufacturing flexibility reduces prices and ensures improved response occasions to fulfill the wants of our clients around the globe. Final however not least, this expertise contributes to Airbus’ roadmap to attaining carbon neutrality by 2050.”
Working with the likes of Stratasys, Airbus is known to have established a distributed manufacturing functionality that’s permitting the corporate to provide elements the place and when they’re wanted. That is mentioned to have helped scale back plane downtime, minimise stock storage, and keep away from pricey provide chain delays.
“Our collaboration with Airbus is proof that additive manufacturing is being built-in into true manufacturing at scale, and could be a large differentiator,” added Wealthy Garrity, Chief Enterprise Unit Officer, Stratasys. “With tens of 1000’s of licensed elements already flying, we’re seeing an inflection level, not only for Airbus, however for all the aerospace trade. Demand for lighter, quicker, and extra resilient provide chains is accelerating, adoption of Stratasys expertise worldwide. What Airbus is attaining in the present day alerts the subsequent development chapter for our trade: licensed additive manufacturing as a mainstream manufacturing methodology throughout aviation globally.”
