A350_XWB

Engineers at Airbus have used 3D printing and additive manufacturing technology from Stratasys, to produce more than 1,000 components for A350 XWB aircraft.

The European aircraft maker used 3D printed parts to speed up its supply chain and meet delivery commitment.

Airbus has used ULTEM 9085 resin with Stratasys FDM 3D production systems, to produce the A350 XWB components.

The ULTEM 9085 resin offers high strength-to-weight ratio, and is claimed to be flame, smoke, and toxicity compliant for interior aircraft applications.

Stratasys business development, marketing and vertical solutions executive vice-president Dan Yalon said: "Our additive manufacturing solutions can produce complex parts on-demand, ensuring on time delivery while streamlining supply chains.

"Our additive manufacturing solutions can produce complex parts on-demand, ensuring on time delivery while streamlining supply chains."

"Additive manufacturing also greatly improves the buy-to-fly ratio as significantly less material is wasted than with conventional manufacturing methods."

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In 2013, Airbus commenced development and certification of 3D printing with Stratasys, as part of a scheduled risk-reduction programme.

The first-of-its-kind A350 XWB aircraft was delivered to Qatar Airways in December 2014.

Stratasys said that the additive manufacturing technology produces components digitally, which will reduce material waste and inventory requirements, as well as lower operational costs.

The company’s FDM, PolyJet, and WDM 3D printing technologies are designed to produce prototypes and products from 3D CAD files or alternate 3D content.

Image: Airbus used Stratasys FDM 3D production systems, to produce the A350 XWB components. Photo: Copyright AIRBUS SAS 2014 / P Pigeyre.