Boeing partners with Oerlikon to develop 3D printed titanium aerospace parts
Staff
Additive Manufacturing Aerospace Boeing Oerlikon titaniumFive-year agreement supports creation of a standard titanium additive manufacturing processes to be used for structural components on commercial, space and defense products set for the skies.
Boeing and Oerlikon have signed a five-year collaboration agreement to develop standard materials and processes for metal-based additive manufacturing.
“This agreement is an important step toward fully unlocking the value of powder bed titanium additive manufacturing for the aerospace industry,” said Leo Christodoulou, Boeing Chief Technologist.
The two companies will work together to standardize additive manufacturing operations from powder management to finished product. Christodoulou adds that this will enable the development of a wide range of safe, reliable and cost-effective structural titanium aerospace components.
Dr. Roland Fischer, CEO Oerlikon Group believes this program will drive the faster adoption of additive manufacturing in the rapidly growing aerospace, space and defence markets,
“Working together with Boeing will define the path in producing airworthy additive manufacturing components for serial manufacturing,” Fischer adds. “We see collaboration as a key enabler to unlocking the value that additive manufacturing can bring to aircraft platforms and look forward to partnering with Boeing.”
The two companies will combine data and research to support the qualification of additive manufacturing suppliers to produce metallic components using a variety of machines and materials.
The partnership will initially focus on industrializing titanium powder bed fusion additive manufacturing and ensuring parts made with this process meet the flight requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defence. The companies hope to examine the current challenges to qualify materials and processes for aerospace and provide a route for the adoption of additive manufacturing with a qualified supply chain that achieves quality and cost targets.
