Boeing makes extensive use of 3D printing in the production of spare parts for its aircraft

3D printing is developing very actively - one has only to look at the patents in this area, and it becomes clear that soon 3D printers and their derivatives appear everywhere. The number of patents filed by the field of 3D printing in the last few years has increased by several hundred percent. In this case, the authors of many of these patents are companies from the list of Fortune 500. In addition, many companies are already using 3D printing in their daily work.

For example, now giants such as Airbus, Boeing and Lockheed Martin are already widely used 3D printing, but few know how popular this practice has become.

So, komaniya Boeing, for example, подала patent application in 3D printing, planning to replace the thousands of reservists parts files for 3D printer. So, if you want, need spare parts, the item will be printed in minutes, instead of looking for the right in the vaults. But the plane is made up of tens of thousands of parts, and for many of them need to store spare parts.



In this case we are talking about saving time, money and space in warehouses. Once the reserve is needed, looking in the archive file should be the model file is sent to the printer, we obtain the desired item. With regard to the patent company, with the help of the company is going to get rid of the need to keep in storage for more than 30 thousand pieces, instead using this principle.

Boeing already uses this method, however, is not for 30,000 parts, and so far only for 300. If you need something, such spare quickly printed. According to the representatives of the company, now in their aircraft is already in use about 20 thousand plastic parts printed on a 3D printer. The patent suggests an even greater - herein referred to is not possible to print only parts of the plastic, but also from metals, alloys and certain other materials. Used other methods. For example, the design of F / A-18 Super Hornet includes about 150 pieces, created by technology of selective laser sintering.

The likelihood that current technology will allow Boeing to print not only plastic parts, but parts of other materials is not too large. Nevertheless, and in order that there will be enough for the rapid creation and replacement of one of the 20,000 parts in aircraft Boeing.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/247030/