Apr. 13, 2015 | By Alec
While several companies in the aircraft industry have already adopted 3D printing technology as a prototyping technology for the design of all sorts of components, aircraft passengers rarely come into contact with it. After all, those parts typically never leave the Research & Development department. But now passengers of China Eastern Airlines can actually fly with the knowledge that 3D printed components have actually been incorporated into the airplane.
For, as reported in Chinese media, China Eastern Airlines has successfully 3D printed a number different aircraft cabin components for their new Boeing 777-300ER passenger plane. Included are cover plates for cabin door handles, signage and a number of other cabin components. This innovation, the company states, makes China Eastern Airlines the first aviation company in the country to use 3D printing technology to manufacture actual aircraft parts.
The 3D printed parts have been developed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines Technology Limited Co., Ltd., which did numerous tests before actually implementing the components. Based on the digital 3D models, and combined with detailed aircraft structures and technologies from the materials sciences, each cabin component was wholly 3D printed in a single piece.
According to the company, the adoption of 3D printing technology has improved the efficiency of the supply chain for cabin parts and has reduced overall procurement costs for the parts. The company has further stated that 3D printing technology has been incorporated into the complete component design and manufacturing process. They are also optimistic about its highly potent engineering capabilities and the custom transformation options it provides for aircraft cabins.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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