DM3D, a leading DED metal additive manufacturing company, is at the forefront of innovation for the aviation industry. We offer cutting-edge solutions for engineers seeking to optimize weight, performance, and lead times in aircraft design and production.

Aviation 3D Printing: Lighter, Stronger, More Efficient Aircraft

Metal additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, offers a transformative approach to aircraft component production. Unlike traditional subtractive manufacturing methods, DED allows for the creation of complex geometries with minimal material waste. This translates to significant advantages for the aviation industry:

• Lightweight Design: DED enables the creation of intricate, lightweight structures with optimized internal geometries, leading to significant weight reduction in aircraft parts. This translates to improved fuel efficiency and increased payload capacity.
• Enhanced Strength and Durability: DED utilizes high-performance metal alloys, resulting in components with exceptional strength-to-weight ratios and superior mechanical properties compared to traditional manufacturing techniques.
• Design Freedom: Unlimited design possibilities unlock innovation in aircraft components, allowing for the creation of complex shapes and internal features previously impossible with conventional methods.
• Rapid Prototyping and On-Demand Manufacturing: DED allows for rapid prototyping of new designs, accelerating the development cycle and facilitating faster time-to-market for new aircraft. Additionally, DED enables on-demand manufacturing of spare parts, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

DM3D’s Expertise in Aircraft 3D Printing

At DM3D, we specialize in DED technologies specifically suited for the rigorous demands of the aviation industry. Our expertise encompasses a wide range of components, and can work with your team to manufacture the components below:

Engine Components:

• Blades: Manufacture complex turbine blades with internal cooling channels for enhanced thermal management.
• Vanes: Produce high-precision guide vanes with intricate geometries for optimal airflow control.
• Blisks: Integrate complex blisks, combining the functionality of a disc and blades into a single lightweight component.
• Turbine Casings: Fabricate complex turbine casings with optimized internal structures for improved strength and reduced weight.

Airframe Components:

• Spars: Create lightweight and high-strength spars for wings and fuselage structures.
• Lateral Fittings: Produce complex and customized lateral fittings for simplified assembly and weight reduction.
• Ribs: Manufacture strong and lightweight ribs for increased structural integrity.
• Gussets: Integrate intricate gussets for improved stress distribution and structural reinforcement.
• Frames: Fabricate complex frames for various airframe applications with optimized weight and strength.
• Sidestays: Produce lightweight and high-performance sidestays for landing gear systems.

Landing Gear and Other Components:

• Landing Gear Components: Create lightweight and high-strength landing gear components with tailored material properties.
• Brackets: Produce customized brackets for various applications with improved strength and design flexibility.
• Liners: Manufacture wear-resistant liners for improved component lifespan.
• Chambers: Fabricate complex and lightweight chambers for various applications.

Material Expertise for Demanding Applications

DM3D utilizes a wide variety of high-performance metal alloys certified for aviation use. Our team of engineers possesses in-depth knowledge of material properties, ensuring the optimal selection for each specific application.
Additionally, we offer comprehensive support throughout the entire process, including:

• Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) consultations to optimize components for DED.
• Finite element analysis (FEA) to ensure structural integrity and performance.
• Post-processing and finishing services for optimal surface quality.