Airbus plans to make aircraft using 3D printers

Airbus has formed a new partnership in China through which it plans to investigate the possibility of using 3D printing technology to manufacturer aircraft parts.

The new cooperation agreement between Airbus and the North Western Polytechnical University (NPU), in China’s aerospace hub of X’ian, will see the two parties explore ways of using 3D laser printing in the commercial aviation sector.

NPU will manufacture test titanium alloy parts for Airbus using its ‘Laser Solid Forming’ technology. These parts will then be assessed by Airbus, with a view to using them within its aircraft in future.

“We are pleased to have been selected by Airbus… as a partner to carry out the pilot project to explore ways of applying 3D printing technology in commercial aviation,” said NPU president, Weng Zhiqian. “This project is a test for our 3D research capability and we are confident we will deliver satisfactory results on quality and on time that will establish a solid foundation for further cooperation in this field.”

Airbus said it is exploring the use of 3D printing technology to manufacture individual parts or even larger airframe structures for the company’s aircraft. It is also planning to use 3D printing as a means of producing cost-effective spare parts for out-of-production aircraft.

The company said 3D printing technology could “transform the manufacturing of airplane parts”. As well as being potentially cheaper, components could be more than 50% lighter than those produced using traditional manufacturing methods.

Despite many media reports focusing on the controversial development of firearms, 3D printing is already being utilised by a variety of industries, including the healthcare and automotive sectors. And UK-based aerospace company, BAE Systems, has already used 3D printing to manufacture parts for its Tornado fighter jets.