Airbus Helicopters is using 3D printers from Trumpf to manufacture components for its helicopters and for aircraft from the parent company Airbus. Airbus Helicopters is expanding its additive manufacturing capabilities with a new 3D printing centre in Donauwörth, Germany.
"With this innovative manufacturing process, we are working on the helicopters of the future in Donauwörth. Among other things, 3D printing helps reduce the weight of components," said Helmut Färber, site manager of Airbus Helicopters in Donauwörth.
The additive manufacturing process helps aircraft operators reduce fuel consumption and lower their costs. It can also help reduce CO2 emissions in flight. Airbus Helicopters will use the 3D printing process to produce components for the electric-powered CityAirbus, the experimental high-speed Racer helicopter and the Airbus A350 and A320 passenger aircraft, among others.
"With its manufacturing know-how, Trumpf is a reliable partner to the aviation industry worldwide. Our 3D printing systems are a key technology on the path to sustainable flying and they reduce dependency on long supply chains," commented Richard Bannmüller, CEO Trumpf Laser and System Technology. Additive manufacturing allows entire assemblies to be printed as one component. This saves weight. At the same time, the components are very stable and meet the strict safety requirements of the aviation industry.
Airbus Helicopters is using 3D printers from Trumpf to manufacture structural components made of titanium and high-strength aluminium.
"Additive manufacturing saves expensive raw material and can lower production costs in the aviation industry. 3D printers only use the material that designers actually need for their components and that ends up taking off in the aircraft," said Bannmüller. “3D printing users can also reuse unused metal powder. Conventional manufacturing processes, on the other hand, require up to ten times more raw material than the final product. Therefore, when milling or chipping, much of the raw material ends up being waste.”
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