There is no denying that the advent of 3D printing has revolutionized a number of manufacturing industries. 3D printing allows companies to create and print out parts that might otherwise be expensive and/or too difficult to create in large quantities with traditional methods. One of the industries that have especially benefited from the development of 3D printing is the aviation industry. It's not hard to see why; aviation relies on the manufacturing of parts for aircraft that can be expensive to make in a standard factory setting, plus the industry has to keep up with advents in technology. Called 'Additive Technology' here are a few ways 3D printing benefits the aviation industry.

Weight Reduction

One of the primary concerns in the aviation industry is reducing how much components weigh, since weight can impact aircraft fuel efficiency and usage. 3D printing allows additives and components to be created out of lighter materials than in the past.

Cost

It can be expensive to design airline components as they increase in complexity. 3D printing allows for the creation of radically any design and any shape at a fraction of the cost. 3D printing also saves money due to the generally low levels of production of aircraft components; generally, mass-production gets cheaper as you increase the produced volume, and is more expensive when producing lower quantities due to the amortization of tooling and development costs over the total manufactured units. Using a 3D printer cuts those manufacturing costs.

Supply Chain Efficiency

The possiblibieThis can create significant bottlenecks in the supply chain because accommodations have to be made for the creation and shipping times. If a company owns a 3D printer,they can print their parts in-house, outsourcing any overflow to other factories. This helps streamline the supply chain, since the wait for needed parts is reduced.

If you have any questions, contact Aero Design Services today!