China3D printingOn August 21st, the U.S. Air Force has certified the Stratasys F900 3D printingAircraft used in the 60th Maintenance Squadron at Travis Air Force Base (Travis Air Force Base) in California.It is the first in the Air Force to have a certified industrial grade3D printingThe field unit of the aircraft is now authorized to produce non-structural and replacement aircraft parts.
Due to the advantages of this technology, Stratasys F900 has been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the local Air Force Advanced Technology and Training Center.When using Ultem 9085, the 60th Maintenance Squadron will apply3D printingMachine in order to save cost and time when finding effective solutions to produce key components.
“It brings us unprecedented capabilities.” said John Higgs, head of the 60th Squadron MXS Aircraft Metal Technology Department.
“Now 3D printing technology can provide us with many possibilities.”
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Aircraft parts in Stratasys F900 3D printingPrint on the machine. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force/Louis Briscese.
Stratasys F900 and Ultem 9085
Stratasys launched the F900 in three models at RAPID + TCT 2018 3D printingAircraft: F900, F900 AICS (Aircraft Interior Certification Solution) and F900 PRO. It represents Stratasys flagship series FDM 3D printingThe third generation of the machine. The system has an MTConnect-ready interface, end-product-level accuracy and repeatability, and has been used in aerospace, automotive and railway industries. The F900 measures 36 x 24 x 36 inches and has been identified for Travis AFB operations due to its ability to produce large plastic parts.
Ultem 9085 is an engineering-grade thermoplastic that has been standardized before and can be used in Airbus A350 XWB. As a high-performance PEEK material, the material has a unique strength-to-weight ratio and flame retardant properties that have been classified as aerospace. Ultem 9085 provides a flexible, dense and stronger plastic alternative to the 60th Maintenance Squadron.
Certified Stratasys 3D printingAircraft can save time at Travis Air Force Base
Due to strict requirements and necessary training, it took 8 months to install the system at Travis AFB. The first approved project for Stratasys F900 took place on August 123D printing. The parts manufactured in this plan will be used as a substitute for toilet covers on the C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft. Generally, parts that are not part of the aircraft mission target do not have a higher priority. This means that when these parts need to be replaced, such as toilet covers, it usually takes a while until the Air Force receives them.use3D printing, The device can produce parts by itself without waiting.Higgs added: “The toilet cover we just printed usually takes about a year to complete the order. We printed two in 73 hours.Cover. “
Air Force technicians obtained from an online database approved by the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI)3D printingModel. Three members of the 60th Maintenance Squadron were selected as the first air force to use certified Stratasys F9000 technicians. One of them, Rogelio Lopez, head of the 60th Squadron MXS Assistant Aircraft Metal Technology Department, has been involved in the project since its inception.LopezSaid that because the Air Force is willing to implement new technologies on site, “The Air Force continues to encourage the Air Force to innovate by finding new ways to simplify processes and save resources.”
Travis Air Force Base has begun to receive proposals from other Air Force bases3D printingRequests for parts and backfill materials so that they can replace their items more quickly.Ultimately, the 60th Maintenance Squadron hopes to3D printingThe aircraft is used not only for aircraft parts, but for the production of products for various organizations.
Toilet coverIt is the first batch of aircraft parts authorized for use after printing on the Stratasys F900. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force/Louis Briscese.
U.S. Air Force3D printing
At Travis Air Force Base, the Air Force field troops relied on previous occasions3D printingTechnology to maintain its solutions. In December 2018, the Air Force Base revealed that it uses the CreaForm HandyScan 700 handheld3D scanninginstrumentCheck the damage to the aircraft. The scanner helps to shorten maintenance time and establishes itself as a key technology for the operation of the unit.There were also reports at the time that Travis Air Force Base was purchasing two metal and polymer machines for its maintenance operations.3D printingAircraft in order to quickly replace aircraft parts. Now, Air Base has installed the certified Stratasys F900 3D printingMachine, achieved the goal of achieving additive manufacturing capabilities.
Used elsewhere in the Air Force, Dover Air Force Base in Delaware3D printingTechnology upgrades its Lockheed Martin C-5 “Super Galaxy” large military transport aircraft.A total of 17 are installed on the aircraft3D printingParts help reduce maintenance costs.Air Force3D printing’S continued investment reflects the goals set by the U.S. Department of Defense, which include the rapid adoption of additive technology to manufacture components.
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