Stratasys previews new 3D printer for aerospace manufacturing

Shaping What’s Next builds on Stratasys’ industrial FDM 3D printing specialty to respond to the needs of customers’ most challenging applications, addressing manufacturers’ needs to rapidly produce strong parts, ranging in size from an automobile armrest to an entire aircraft interior panel.

The Stratasys collection of additive and traditional technologies, software workflows, materials development, and professional services align with individual application needs, better meeting quality, cost, and delivery metrics while utilising the capabilities of additive manufacturing to progress how parts are designed and built.

The Stratasys technology demonstrators are being displayed at the Stratasys IMTS booth, N-60, from 12–17 September 2016.

The Stratasys Infinite-Build 3D Demonstrator is designed to address the requirements of aerospace, automotive and other industries for large lightweight, thermoplastic parts with repeatable mechanical properties. The Infinite-Build 3D Demonstrator features a new approach to FDM extrusion that increases throughput and repeatability. The system changes the traditional 3D printer concept to realise an “infinite-build” approach which prints on a vertical plane for practically unlimited part size in the build direction.

Boeing played an influential role in defining the requirements and specifications for the demonstrator. Boeing is currently using an Infinite-Build 3D Demonstrator to explore the production of low volume, lightweight parts.

Ford is also exploring automotive manufacturing applications for this demonstrator, and will evaluate this new technology. Ford and Stratasys will work together to test and develop new applications for automotive-grade 3D printed materials that were not previously possible due to limited size, enabling and accelerating innovative automotive product design.

Darryl Davis, president, Boeing Phantom Works, said: “Additive manufacturing represents a great opportunity for Boeing and our customers, so we made a strategic decision more than a decade ago to work closely with Stratasys on this technology. We are always looking for ways to reduce the cost and weight of aircraft structures, or reduce the time it takes to prototype and test new tools and products so we can provide them to customers in a more affordable and rapid manner.

“The Stratasys Infinite-Build 3D Demonstrator enables products to be made at a much larger and potentially unlimited length, offering us a breakthrough tool to add to our robust additive manufacturing processes.”

Stratasys and Siemens have been working closely to further their shared vision of making 3D printing a viable and indispensable component of production manufacturing. As an example of this vision, Stratasys developed the Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator integrating its core additive manufacturing technologies with industrial motion control hardware and design–to-3D printing software capabilities provided by Siemens. This Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator is designed to progress the 3D printing of composite parts.

Composites production is constrained by labour-intensive processes and geometric limitations. The Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator delivers true 3D printing by using an 8-axis motion system that enables precise, directional material placement for strength while also reducing the need for speed-hindering support strategies. This changes how future lightweight parts can be built, and provides a glimpse into how this technology could be used to accelerate the production of parts made from a wide variety of materials.

Arun Jain, VP, motion control, Digital Factory US, Siemens, commented: “Siemens is pleased to support Stratasys in their innovative additive manufacturing initiatives, of which the Stratasys Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator is one of the most promising. By working closely with Stratasys on motion control and CNC automation, Siemens is helping to create a flexible, multi-function manufacturing workflow that puts 3D printing firmly in the factory. We look forward to continuing to work with Stratasys to build manufacturing solutions that transform industries.”

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