Beyond the Horizon: The Transformative Impact of 3D Printing in the Aerospace Industry
The aerospace industry has long been at the forefront of innovation, constantly seeking new technologies to push the boundaries of what’s possible. One such technology that has been making waves in recent years is 3D printing in Singapore, also known as additive manufacturing (AM).
On April 30th, “Beyond Horizon: Exploring the Transformative Impact of 3D Printing” seminar was held at the Orchid Country Club, bringing together industry experts and professionals.
The seminar aimed to showcase how 3D printing has evolved and shaped the aerospace industry, as well as to highlight the latest advancements that are enabling the future of aerospace manufacturing.
These were the highlights of the event:
Andrea Guallar, Technical Sales Manager, Dlyte
Andrea Guallar introduced Dlyte’s patented Dry Electropolishing technology, which is revolutionizing surface polishing processes in aerospace. This technology promises cost-efficiency, speed with automation, and the maintenance of the highest quality on metal parts, ensuring predictable and repeatable results. It removes material only from roughness peaks without altering overall dimensions, consistently achieving mirror finishing, and providing access to dead zones and complex geometries
Lim Mun Chun – Channel Manager, Materialise
Lim Mun Chun discussed the intricacies of integrating NPI data sources for AM, underscoring the importance of quality assurance in aerospace. He introduced Materialise’s Quality Process Control (QPC), a secure system ensuring comprehensive AM quality and process control. By leveraging AI and IIoT connectivity, QPC transforms AM process monitoring and quality data into actionable insights, enabling certified part production and demonstrating process stability across the AM workflow
Stefan Roeding – General Manager, Stratasys
Stefan Roeding from Stratasys emphasized that Polymer Additive Manufacturing is now ready for production at scale in aviation. He highlighted how certifications from regulatory bodies like the FAA and EASA serve as proof of the capabilities of AM in today’s disruptive ecosystem.
Early adopters are reaping the benefits of this technology, leveraging its capacity to revolutionize production, tooling, and prototyping in aerospace. Additionally, Stefan offered a glimpse into the near future, envisioning a transformative shift in replacement parts logistics: “Take Off to Touch Down Parts On Demand” could mean zero inventory and zero downtime, fundamentally revolutionizing aviation maintenance practices
Donald Godfrey – Global Business Development Director for Aviation & Defence – Nikon-SLM Solutions
Donald Godfrey’s session emphasized the critical process of qualifying components for flight, outlining the steps involved and stressing the importance of a performance-based approach mandated by regulatory bodies like the FAA and EASA. Validation, he highlighted, requires repeated testing with results demonstrating repeatability. Additionally, a session on casting technology discussed how SLM Metal 3D Printing technology is mitigating supply chain disruptions in traditional methods, shedding light on issues plaguing these methods and offering insights into the future of aerospace manufacturing.
Dr. Zheng Guo Ying – VP/Head, Advance Manufacturing Design Centre, ST Aerospace
Dr. Zheng Guo Ying’s contribution to the local aerospace industry extends beyond mere innovation. As an early adopter of 3D printing technology, her efforts with Advance Manufacturing Design Centre (AMDC), ST Aerospace showcase her commitment to innovation and readiness to advance the field, helping to propel additive manufacturing forward and inspiring others in the aerospace industry to explore its potential.
She not only pushes boundaries but also shares invaluable local context of cases, as well as qualified processes, materials, and machines essential for supporting the industry’s growth. Additionally, she shares their journey of additive manufacturing, providing insight into the challenges faced and lessons learned along the way.
The seminar in conclusion highlighted the readiness of the aerospace industry for the adoption of 3D printing and other advanced manufacturing technologies. The event underscored a collective determination to explore the frontiers of our industry. In the realm of aerospace manufacturing, innovation transcends mere adaptation to change, it entails embracing the unknown and daring to venture beyond conventional boundaries.
Each attendee plays a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of our industry’s evolution, ensuring efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
For more information about how the aforementioned advanced technology can benefit your aerospace business, please feel free to contact us or email us at info@creatz3d.com
