Stratasys to provide 3D printing material for Airbus’ aircraft program
Staff
Additive Manufacturing 3D printing material airbus StratasysStratasys' ULTEM 9085 is certified to an Airbus material specification and is used in Stratasys' FDM additive manufacturing solutions.
Airbus has announced it will standardize its 3D print material for the production of flight parts for the A350 XWB aircraft. The French aircraft manufacturer will use Stratasys’ ULTEM 9085 3D printing material.
(l-r) Amos Liebermann, Director of Aerospace Strategic Accounts, EMEA, Stratasys; Olivier Cauquil, Head of Material & Parts Procurement, Airbus and Chairman of the Airbus Group Material Board; Andy Middleton, President, Stratasys EMEA; Mark Walker, VP Procurement Strategy and Governance, Airbus (Photo: Business Wire)
Stratasys’ ULTEM 9085 resin is certified to an Airbus material specification and is used in Stratasys’ FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) based additive manufacturing solutions. ULTEM 9085 resin is a flame-retardant high-performance thermoplastic for digital manufacturing and rapid prototyping. It is ideal for the transportation industry due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and its FST (flame, smoke and toxicity) rating. ULTEM 9085 enables the production of strong, lighter weight parts while substantially lowering manufacturing costs and production time.
“In 2014 Airbus produced a significant amount of parts on its Stratasys FDM-based 3D Printers for use in new A350 XWB aircraft, enabling Airbus to meet delivery commitments on-time. We are pleased to support Airbus as they industrialize the inclusion of Stratasys 3D printed parts in the A350 XWB production supply chain, ensuring that suppliers will be able to support continued scheduled aircraft deliveries,” said Andy Middleton, President, Stratasys EMEA.
3D printing technology enables efficiency and flexibility to production supply chains. Parts are able to be produced on demand, significantly improving buy-to-fly ratios with less material wasted.
“We see the demand for our additive manufacturing solutions coming from a variety of time-sensitive industries, including everything from aerospace and automotive to medical and consumer products,” added Andy Middleton, President, Stratasys EMEA.
Middleton adds that with the adoption of Stratasys additive manufacturing strategies in supply chain management, Airbus not only protect time to market commitments but also increase product innovation while decreasing inventory requirements.
