Aircraft manufacturing PR seems full of news lately about 3D-printed components taking to the air. 3D printer manufacturer Stratasys reports on parts made for the Airbus A350 XWB.
The Airbus A350 XWB jet has more than 1,000 parts 3D-printed with materials that became available for use with the technique only recently, BBC reported, citing Minnesota-based Stratasys, which manufactured the parts. The components, which were used in the first-of-its-type A350 XWB aircraft, were delivered in December.
In a statement, Stratasys said it had produced more than 1,000 flight parts using its Stratasys FDM 3D Production Systems, which was invented by the company’s founder Scott Crump more than 20 years ago. While the entire process was supervised by Airbus to ensure it met its delivery deadlines, Stratasys said it had also reduced production time and costs, BBC reported.
Experts believe that Airbus took a significant step by opting for 3D printing because new lightweight materials could be useful for airline safety standards, BBC reported, adding that the number of 3D-printed parts on A350 XWB were more than that on any other aircraft before it.
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