Arconic announced that it has entered into two agreements to supply Airbus 3D printed metal parts for the airplane maker’s commercial aircraft. The company will supply 3D printed components made from high temperature nickel superalloys, and 3D printed titanium airframe parts under two separate agreements.
“We’re proud to deepen our partnership with Airbus through these agreements,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, Chairman and CEO of Arconic. “Airbus’s confidence in our additive manufacturing capabilities is grounded in Arconic’s comprehensive strengths—from aerospace know-how to metals powder production and product qualification expertise. We are pleased to support our customers and pave the way to the future of aerospace manufacturing.”
Arconic will supply 3D printed ducting components made of high-temperature nickel superalloys for the A320 family of aircraft. Advanced nickel superalloys offer good heat resistance for these components, which flow hot air from the aero engine to other parts of the airframe.
As the engineering and manufacturing company reports , under a second deal, they will supply 3D printed titanium airframe brackets, also for the A320 platform. Arconic expects to deliver the first parts under both agreements in the second quarter of 2017.
Its capabilities, from materials science and additive manufacturing expertise, to aerospace parts qualification experience and supply chain management are helping to grow the partnership with Airbus. These latest deals will draw on Arconic’s full range of 3D printing technology capabilities, including laser powder bed and electron beam processes.
Article also published on Advanced Science News