Stratasys
Additive manufacturing could help tackle “major issues” of quality and safety.
Additive manufacturing (AM) could be used as a tool to support quality and inspection in aerospace manufacturing, according to Stratasys’ Senior Director for Aerospace & Defense.
Foster Ferguson, a retired Lieutenant Colonel for the United States Marine Corps who joined the 3D printing company’s aerospace vertical after deploying its technology while in the Marine Corps, made the observation during a recent interview with TCT Magazine where he spoke about the opportunities for additive manufacturing in aerospace, space and defence.
“I think that there's an opportunity to address quality issues with additive,” Ferguson told TCT. “When you're getting into testing and quickly developing fit function checks, the things that might be required through a quality inspection, quality assurance inspection, additive is a great tool for that.”
In addition to maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations and digital supply chains, Ferguson was discussing the potential for aerospace manufacturers to leverage AM technologies to address key challenges, suggesting that the technology could have an important role to play in tackling the “major issues” of quality and safety.
“Quality and safety are major issues,” Ferguson said. “Stratasys has got a great opportunity here to help these engineers with quality and inspection.”
The ability to quickly manufacture prototypes that perform with the same functionality as eventual production parts can help build confidence and reduce risk of failure further down the line. Major manufacturers in the space have been using Stratasys’ polymer 3D printers for over a decade for not just form, fit and function checks but also for flight-certified parts that are currently flying in commercial aircraft today.
Ferguson added: “Aerospace is unique because you generally have a lot of innovation. You're going to push the horizons of technologies, software and materials.”