May/June 2019 Issue

May 2019

Digital Edition

What Is the Role for Additive Manufacturing in Aircraft Structural Components?

Spirit AeroSystems recently began installing the Boeing 787’s first titanium structural component to be made through AM. The part is not critical but also not minor. I spoke with manufacturing leaders at Spirit about the meaning of the part and the way forward for additive in aircraft structures.

Features

Featured articles from the May/June 2019 issue of Additive Manufacturing

Production 5 May 2023

Incodema3D Reaches the Tipping Point for Production Additive Manufacturing

The New York manufacturer is launching into its first continuous flow production job for metal AM. Owner and CEO Sean Whittaker shares what it took to arrive here.

Medical & Dental 3 Jun 2019

3D Printing Fills Gap for Biocompatible Materials

With the Arburg Freeformer, the Aesculap division of medical company B. Braun has recently ramped up its high-volume AM production activities. This is because, particularly in medical technology, the main focus is on options such as the processing of biocompatible materials.

Production 27 May 2019

AM’s Advance into Production Reveals How Some of the Misperceptions Were Partly True

Is additive manufacturing efficient for producing current part designs? No … except also yes. Is it a replacement for current processes? No … except when it is. Recent posts reveal the role additive is likely to play in production.

Materials 14 Nov 2022

How a Solid-State Process Stood Firm Until Additive’s Moment

Early on, this company saw the promise of friction stir welding for building forms in layers. Few understood at the time. They understand now, in part because this process offers benefits such as blended materials and freedom from stress that other metal AM approaches can’t match.