Rolls-Royce will 3D print its airplane engine parts

FT / RR 2013-11-25 09:11 article > All

Rolls-Royce is convinced that 3d printing will allow it to manufacture lighter engine parts.

3d printing breaks in to another industry. Rolls-Royce announced that it's going to use the technology to help make its airplane engines. It's the first time when such important device will contain parts made in 3d printer. Rolls Royce decided to take this step because 3d printing allows to make lighter components than with traditional manufacturing methods. As dr Henner Wapenhans, the company’s head of technology, said:

“3D printing opens up new possibilities, new design space. Through the 3D printing process, you’re not constrained by having to get a tool to create a shape. You can create any shape you like.”

Rolls-Royce will now be using 3D printers to create metallic and ceramic parts of the engine, wor the start the company plans to work on 3d printed brackets and fuel nozzles. At this stage the company will be testing the parts and is still a few years off putting them into use. If everything goes as expected, in a few years 3d printed parts will be crucial to keep plane in the air. Scary or great - the future comes.

FT via Pocket-Lint

Author: FT / RR

Tags: rolls

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