Strategic partnership aims to deliver 3D printed aerospace parts
Staff
Additive Manufacturing Aerospace 3D printing Monash UniversityAmaero will supply Safran with two customized Selective Laser Melting (SLM) machines to expand its manufacturing capacity in Toulouse, France.
Safran Power Units, Amaero Engineering and Monash University are working together to deliver 3D printed aerospace components for jet engine technology.
In 2015, Monash University, Amaero and Safran Power Units presented the “world’s first printed jet engine mock up” at the Melbourne International Airshow. (Photo courtesy of Antoine Denoix – Safran)
“We will make components for auxiliary power units and turbojet engines within the Safran Power Units factory in Toulouse,” said Mr Barrie Finnin, CEO of Monash spin-out company Amaero.
Amaero will supply Safran Power Units with two Selective Laser Melting (SLM) machines to expand its manufacturing capacity in Toulouse, France.
The printers have been customized to meet the tight material and production specification required by Safran for engine parts.
Through this strategic partnership, Safran will be responsible for the design of the components. Amaero will manufacture them with Safran in charge of post-process, machine and assemble them into gas turbines. Safran will also test, validate and certify the components before entering into serial production, which will commence in 2017.
In 2015, the three partners presented the “world’s first printed jet engine mock up” at the Melbourne International Airshow. The team took a gas turbine from a Falcon 20 executive jet, scanned it and created two copies using customized 3D metal printers.
The project demonstrated that the team could meet tough requirements for major and critical components used in APUs and other gas turbines such as combustion chamber, air inlet casing and nozzle. Safran Power Units has already entered into certification process for such critical parts, thus allowing quick serial production ramp up.
“Over the past 5 years, Safran Power Units and Monash University have successfully worked on a demonstration phase,” says François Tarel, CEO of Safran Power Units. “Innovations generated by research and joint collaboration lead us to a new milestone: introducing 3D printing into production stage for major engine parts. We are committed to add tangible value to our products for the benefit of our customers.”
“The stakes are high: weight reduction, huge production cycles shortening and designs innovation,” Tarel continues. “Safran Group advances and our partner leading-edge expertise allow us to stay ahead and to supply the most sophisticated components. This is not just a matter of 3D printing, the 3P rule applies: setting the right parameter for the right part and the right expected performance.”
