Soaring to New Heights: Material Extrusion takes Flight in Aerospace Applications
Building upon our commitment to safety-first innovation in regulated markets, Omni3D's industrial extrusion 3D printing technology is taking flight in the demanding world of aerospace. This blog entry, a continuation of our exploration of 3D printing within highly regulated industries, dives deeper into the specific considerations and exciting possibilities for large-format material extrusion within the aerospace sector.
Precision and Performance: The Hallmarks of Aerospace Manufacturing
The aerospace industry thrives on stringent standards and relentless innovation. Every component, from lightweight airframe parts to complex engine ducting, must meet rigorous performance and safety criteria. Material selection plays a critical role, with aerospace engineers demanding materials that possess exceptional strength-to-weight ratios, high thermal resistance, and flame retardancy properties.
Omni3D’s Advantage: Material Compatibility and Open Systems
Here’s where Omni3D’s industrial extrusion platform shines. Our large-format printers are specifically designed to handle a wide range of high-performance filaments ideally suited for aerospace applications. These materials include:
- PEEK (Polyetheretherketone): Known for its excellent mechanical properties, high thermal resistance, and inherent flame retardancy, PEEK is a popular choice for demanding aerospace applications.
- PEKK (Poly Ether Ketone Ketone): Offering similar benefits to PEEK, PEKK boasts slightly improved chemical resistance and higher continuous service temperatures, making it suitable for even more extreme aerospace environments.
- Carbon Fiber Reinforced Filaments: By incorporating carbon fibers into the printing material, engineers can achieve exceptional strength-to-weight ratios, ideal for lightweighting critical aerospace components.
Our commitment to open systems allows users to explore and integrate these advanced materials seamlessly with our 3D printing platform. This flexibility empowers aerospace manufacturers to adapt their printing processes to accommodate the latest material advancements, constantly pushing the boundaries of performance and safety.
