Fighter Jets Flown With 3D Printed Parts

[Lover Boy]

UK fighter jets have flown for the first time with parts made using 3D printing technology.

BAE Systems said the metal components were successfully used on board Tornado aircraft which flew from the defence firm's airfield at Warton, Lancashire, last month.

It said engineers were using 3D technology to design and produce parts which could cut the Royal Air Force's maintenance and service bill by more than £1.2m over the next four years.

Some of the parts costs less than £100.

BAE Systems is already working at RAF Marham, in Norfolk, to engineer ready-made parts for four squadrons of Tornado GR4 aircraft - including protective covers for cockpit radios and guards for power take-off shafts.

Mike Murray, head of airframe integration at BAE Systems, said: "You are suddenly not fixed in terms of where you have to manufacture these things.

"You can manufacture the products at whatever base you want, providing you can get a machine there, which means you can also start to support other platforms such as ships and aircraft carriers.

"And if it's feasible to get machines out on the front line, it also gives improved capability where we wouldn't traditionally have any manufacturing support."

Sky News

 

[Postman Dave]

I'm not sure I completely understand 3D printing.

 

[Swamps]

Neato

 

[Wang Chung]

That is sweet. I have heard that they can make guns that work too, but the idea is to make things for surgery and the like

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[Fuji Vice]

I own stock in a 3D printing company that's printed playable violins and guitars. Their ultimate aim is to replicate clothing so that you can buy jeans (or other clothes) online and print them at home. It's way down the line, but their stock has shot through the roof over the last year.

 

[Ricky Smarks]

I own stock in a 3D printing company that's printed playable violins and guitars. Their ultimate aim is to replicate clothing so that you can buy jeans (or other clothes) online and print them at home. It's way down the line, but their stock has shot through the roof over the last year.

I don't know if I'd want to wear something I printed at home... :