The aerospace industry is fast moving. Once one challenge gets solved, the market has already changed and moved onto a new trend. This means expensive and time-consuming tooling and production aren't an efficient option. To remain competitive, the aerospace industry leans on additive manufacturing, especially 3D printing with ULTEM materials. Find out why in this blog.
FDM Technology, Aerospace Industry, 3D Printing Materials
Aerospace and 3D Printing with ULTEM
November 28, 2017
3D Printing, FDM Technology, Aerospace Industry
How 3D Printing is Transforming the Aerospace Industry
November 7, 2017
Since the Wright brothers first launched their wood and canvas glider in the early 1900s, technology has improved dramatically, making international travel and space exploration a reality. Additive manufacturing, better known as 3D printing, is playing a major role in this revolution by reducing weight, strengthening materials and streamlining design in the aerospace industry.
3D CAD, 3D Printing, Aerospace Industry
Drone Wars Week 2: Engines on 5, 4, 3...Part 2
July 25, 2016
As we reach the end of Phase II of the TriMech Drone Wars, we're starting to see each team's drone come together. Our four teams have continued to inform us of their latest activities and strategies. If you missed our kick-off blog, you can find it here.
3D CAD, 3D Printing, Aerospace Industry
Drone Wars Week 2: Engines on 5, 4, 3, 2... Part 1
July 14, 2016
The TriMech Drone Wars are well underway as we explore the teams' creations in Phase II. Our four teams are keeping us up-to-date on their latest activities and strategies. If you missed our kick-off blog, you can find it here.
We're at the end of Phase I in the TriMech Drone Wars. Our four teams have been keeping us up-to-date on their latest activities and strategies. If you missed our kick-off blog, you can find it here.
The TriMech Drone Wars are in full swing. Our four teams have been keeping us up-to-date on their latest activities and strategies as they build their drones. We'll be updating you twice a week with blogs that take an in-depth look at each team's approach during every phase of this competition and follow up with the outcomes of their modification, any challenges they may have encountered, and what modifications are in the pipeline for the next phase.
If you missed our kick-off blog, you can find it here. As a recap, each team was provided an off-the-shelf drone that they will modify using 3D printed parts at a max of $250. They will pit the drones against each other in a speed race, a precision flight, and a payload test.
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones was once limited to the defense industry. Today, drones are sailing everywhere! Anyone in the commercial or private sectors can pick up an off-the-shelf drone or manufacture one with readily available resources.
With this in mind, we've decided to pit our application engineers and technical teams against each other in the first ever TriMech Drone Wars. Let the games begin!
3D printing is taking off in the aerospace industry – literally!
The aerospace industry has always been an adopter of experimental technologies to further space exploration. Additive manufacturing is a perfect solution since most parts require low volume production, high levels of customization and complex geometries.
To continue incorporating additive manufacturing in its production processes, the aerospace industry communicated a need for new, advanced materials. Current material material offerings, such as ABS-ESD7 and ULTEM™ 9085 met one or two requirements for space applications, but not all requirements simultaneously. For example, during spaceflight, post-processing limits the advantages gained from additive manufacturing but is required when using ULTEM™ 9085.
To address this challenge, Stratasys Advanced Materials collaborated with industry partners to develop ESD PEKK (dissipative polyetherketoneketone).
All materials going into space must have the ability to endure temperatures that range from -150°C to +150°C within an hour while withstanding damage from electrostatic discharge. ESD PEKK combines the electrostatic dissipative properties from ABS-ESD7 and the strength and thermal properties of ULTEM™ 9085 with the addition of the PEKK base resin’s chemical resistance. This new material is dissipative, meets outgassing requirements and is chemically resistant to survive the extreme environmental conditions found in space.
Want to reduce the cost of tooling without increasing cost due to part complexity? Need a material that performs under pressure? Chances are your application can be supported by additive manufacturing.