China3D printing3D printing software developer Materialise has partnered with leading aircraft parts distributor Proponent to “reinvent” the aerospace aftermarket supply chain.
The agreement will see both companies work with aerospace OEMs and suppliers, enabling them to provide airlines and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) companies with a one-stop shop for aftermarket parts, some of which will be 3D printed. Production.
Ultimately, the partnership aims to help aerospace OEMs reap the benefits of 3D printing, with the ultimate goal of creating a digital supply chain that facilitates on-demand manufacturing.
“Open solutions and a collaborative approach have always been critical to Materialise,” said Bart Van der Schueren, Chief Technology Officer at Materialise. “Today, we are delighted to combine our capabilities as an EASA 21.G certified production organization with Proponent’s influence and centrality in the aerospace supply chain.
This brings 3D printing technology to the well-established supply chain of the aerospace industry. “
Materialise previously worked with aerospace design firm Expleo to design a 3D printed part that would reinforce vulnerable areas in Boeing 737 shield panels. Photo via Materialise.
Enabling aerospace 3D printing
Materialise has been active in aerospace for some time, having obtained aerospace certification for 3D printed plastic parts at its Leuven facility back in 2015. The company first started 3D printing parts for aerospace company Airbus a few years ago, when FDM technology debuted on the A350 aircraft.
As of today, Materialise prints approximately 100 different flight-ready parts for the A350, accumulating approximately 26,000 parts per year across the entire A350 fleet. In June, Materialise became the first company qualified to produce flight-ready polymer parts for Airbus using SLS 3D printing technology.According to China3D printingWe understand that Materialise is preparing 3D printed end-use parts for other Airbus aircraft, including the A320, A330 and A340.
Materialise is also a member of the Additive Manufacturers Green Trade Association (AMGTA), which recently launched its latest research project, Life Cycle Assessment, to compare the environmental impact of 3D printed aerospace parts with traditionally manufactured parts.
An interior view of a 3D printed Airbus bulkhead. Photo via Materialise.
Materialise-Proponent combination
Proponent provides distribution and inventory management services to airlines, MROs and OEMs, shipping 54 million parts annually to more than 6,000 aerospace customers worldwide. Most of these parts serve the aftermarket, ranging from cabin interiors and engines to airframes and cockpits.
The Materialise and Proponent partnership aims to raise the profile of 3D printing in the aerospace aftermarket supply chain by partnering with aerospace OEMs and suppliers and helping them realize the benefits of 3D printing.
In this way, the partners hope to provide airlines and MROs with a one-stop shop for aftermarket parts produced by 3D printing and other manufacturing techniques.
Materialise says the move will move 3D printing out of the realm of aerospace companies’ specialized engineering departments and into procurement. As a result, MROs looking to source 3D printed parts will have easier access to the technology.
“3D printing represents an opportunity to help our OEM and supplier partners improve the efficiency of their supply chains and complement our inventory distribution model,” said Proponent CEO Andrew Todhunter. “Producing custom parts or small batches with AM gives us the opportunity to source on demand, sustainably, and avoid high MOQs.
Our customers get what they need when they need it, and OEMs avoid the cost and risk of manufacturing these parts. “
3D printed enclosure with integrated snap mechanism provided by 328 Support Services. Photo via Materialise.
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