To Produce, Qualify Large-Scale 3D Printed Airbus Airframe Components
- Will jointly develop customized processes and parameters to make structural, 3D printed metal parts up to approximately 1 meter (3 feet) in length
- Combines Arconic’s expertise in metal additive manufacturing and metallurgy with Airbus’s know-how in final aircraft part design and qualification
- Builds on Arconic’s comprehensive capabilities to manufacture 3D printed aircraft components using a variety of metals-based additive technologies
Arconic (NYSE: ARNC) today announced a multi-year cooperative research
agreement with Airbus to advance metal 3D printing for aircraft
manufacturing. Together, the companies will develop customized processes
and parameters to produce and qualify large, structural 3D printed
components, such as pylon spars and rib structures, up to approximately
1 meter (3 feet) in length. The deal combines Arconic’s expertise in
metal additive manufacturing and metallurgy with Airbus’s design and
qualification capabilities, building on its experience with regulatory
agencies for certification.
“This agreement combines the expertise of two of the world’s top
aerospace additive manufacturing companies to push the boundaries of 3D
printing for aircraft production,” said Eric Roegner, Executive Vice
President and Group President, Arconic Engineered Products and Solutions
and Arconic Defense. “Additive manufacturing promises a world where
lighter, more complex aerospace parts are produced cheaper and faster.
We’re joining forces to make that potential a reality in a bigger way
than ever before.”
Under this agreement announced at the Formnext
additive and advanced manufacturing conference in Frankfurt, Germany,
Arconic will use electron beam high deposition rate technology to 3D
print parts. This technology is ideally suited to produce larger
aerospace components because it prints them up to one hundred times
faster than technologies used for smaller, more intricate parts.
In addition, Arconic will demonstrate the benefits of its proprietary
Ampliforge™ process, which combines traditional and additive
manufacturing. The Ampliforge™ process treats a near complete 3D printed
part using an advanced manufacturing process, such as forging, which
enhances the properties of 3D printed parts – increasing toughness,
fatigue and strength versus parts made solely by additive manufacturing
– and reduces material input and production lead times.
Arconic will draw on additive and advanced manufacturing capabilities at
its facilities in Cleveland, Ohio and at the Arconic Technology Center
outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Arconic, Airbus and 3D Printing
Arconic’s comprehensive capabilities – from materials science and
additive manufacturing expertise to qualification and supply chain
management experience – are helping grow our partnership with Airbus.
Last September, Airbus announced a 3D printing breakthrough involving a
smaller component equipping the airframe – a 3D printed titanium bracket
installed on a series production Airbus commercial aircraft, the A350
XWB. This achievement is paving the way for Airbus to design 3D printed
parts in the future that are even more complex and lighter weight.
Arconic is producing these titanium brackets using laser powder bed
technologies at its additive manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas.
Arconic announced three agreements
with Airbus last year. Under those deals, Arconic agreed to 3D print
titanium and nickel airframe components, such as fuselage and engine
pylon components, made using laser and electron beam powder bed
processes. Those agreements established Arconic as an innovation partner
to Airbus in the fast-growing metal 3D printing space.
About Arconic
Arconic (NYSE: ARNC) creates breakthrough products that shape
industries. Working in close partnership with our customers, we solve
complex engineering challenges to transform the way we fly, drive, build
and power. Through the ingenuity of our people and cutting-edge advanced
manufacturing techniques, we deliver these products at a quality and
efficiency that ensure customer success and shareholder value. For more
information: www.arconic.com.
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Dissemination of Company Information
Arconic intends to make future announcements regarding Company
developments and financial performance through its website on www.arconic.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains statements that relate to future events and
expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as
“anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,”
“should,” “will,” “would,” or other words of similar meaning. All
statements that reflect Arconic’s expectations, assumptions or
projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact,
are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, forecasts
and expectations relating to end markets; statements about Arconic’s
strategies, outlook, business and financial prospects; and expectations
relating to additive manufacturing and 3D printing. Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to
risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to
predict. Although Arconic believes that the expectations reflected in
any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it
can give no assurance that these expectations will be attained and it is
possible that actual results may differ materially from those indicated
by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and
uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited
to: (a) deterioration in global economic and financial market conditions
generally; (b) unfavorable changes in the markets served by Arconic,
including the aerospace market; and (c) the other risk factors discussed
in Arconic’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, Arconic’s
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 and other reports filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Arconic disclaims any
obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in
response to new information, future events or otherwise, except as
required by applicable law. Market projections are subject to the risks
discussed above and other risks in the market.
Arconic
Investor Contact:
Patricia Figueroa, 212-836-2758
Patricia.Figueroa@arconic.com
or
Media Contact:
Christa Zipf, 212-836-2605
Christa.Zipf@arconic.com