The use of additive manufacturing in aerospace is expected to grow in the coming decades. In the future, 3D printed parts will become more efficient in aerospace applications.
The advantages of 3D printing technology in the aerospace field
Rapid prototype verification, rapid iteration, manufacturing turbine blades with traditional processes, during which molds need to be opened, and it takes about half a year from design to manufacturing; and additive technology can quickly achieve iteration within a month.
Improve the degree of design freedom. In the past, components with very complex designs were difficult to manufacture or cost very high, or even impossible to manufacture. Using additive manufacturing processes, highly complex 2D or 3D metal parts can be produced in a relatively simple manner, which is a viable way to integrally form structural parts consisting of solid and mesh parts.
Lower cost, it doesn't require tooling, can do some manufacturing quickly, plus its repair, which is a big problem for civil aviation. To reduce costs, the use of additive methods can reduce the cost by one-fifth, such as integral blisk, blades, etc.
Often, when it comes to additive manufacturing applications, the production cost is the only factor to consider. However, in the aerospace industry, other factors such as weight reduction and improved fuel efficiency outweigh the initial manufacturing cost. As the number of applications in the field has grown, the aerospace industry itself has become a role model for other industries and a trailblazer for the overall adoption of additive manufacturing.