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U.S. Air Force certifies first Stratasys 3D printer for aircraft replacement parts

United States Air Force已认证aStratasys F9003D printer for use in the 60th Maintenance Squadron atTravis Air Force Base(Travis AFB)在加利福尼亚。这是空军中第一个拥有认证的工业尺寸3D打印机的现场单位,该打印机现已被授权生产非结构性和替换飞机零件。

这Stratasys F900was certified by theFederal Aviation Administration(FAA)and local Air Force Advanced Technology and Training Center due to the advantages of the technology.UsingUltem 9085,第60维护中队将应用3D打印机,以节省成本和时间,以找到生产关键零件的有效解决方案。

“It brings us a capability that we’ve never had before,” said Master Sgt. John Higgs, 60th MXS aircraft metals technology section chief.

“现在我们有很多可能的可能性。我们只是在刮擦表面。”

An aircraft part prints on the Stratasys F900 3D printer. Photo via U.S. Air Force/Louis Briscese.
An aircraft part prints on the Stratasys F900 3D printer. Photo via U.S. Air Force/Louis Briscese.

这Stratasys F900and Ultem 9085

这F900 3D printer was unveiled by Stratasys atRapid+TCT 2018in three variants: the F900, the F900 AICS (Aircraft Interiors Certification Solution), and the F900 PRO. It represents the third generation of Stratasys’ flagship series of FDM 3D printers. The systems feature an MTConnect-ready interface with end-use product level accuracy and repeatability, and have been used in industries such asaerospace,automotiveandrailway。With a build size of 36 x 24 x 36 inches, the F900 was identified for Travis AFB’s operations because of its ability to produce large plastic parts.

Ultem 9085 is an engineering-grade thermoplastic that has been previously标准化用于空中客车A350 XWB。一个亲戚high-performance PEEK and PEKK, the material has a unique strength-to-weight ratio, alongside flame resistant properties that have beenclassified for aerospace。Ultem 9085 presents a flexible, dense and stronger alternative to plastic for the 60th Maintenance Squadron.

Certified Stratasys 3D printer saves time at Travis Air Force Base

Installing the system at Travis AFB took a total of eight months, due to stringent requirements and necessary training.这first approved project for the Stratasys F900 was 3D printed on August 12. The parts made in this initiative will be used as replacements to the latrine covers aboard the C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft. Often, parts that are not integral to aircraft mission objectives do not have a high priority for replacement. This means that when these parts need to be replaced, like the latrine covers, it will typically take a while until the Air Force unit receives them. Using 3D printing, the unit can produce the parts themselves without having to wait. “The latrine covers we just printed usually take about a year from the time they’ve been ordered to the time they’ve been delivered,” added Higgs. “We printed two of the covers in 73 hours.”

空军技术人员的3D打印源模型代顿大学研究所(UDRI) - 批准在线数据库。第60维护中队的三名成员被选为空军中的第一批使用认证的Stratasys F9000的技术人员。其中之一,技术。中士自从该项目开始以来,第60 MXS助理飞机金属技术部门的Rogelio Lopez一直在该项目上登机。洛佩兹对空军在现场层面实施新技术的意愿感到兴奋,他说:“空军继续通过寻找简化流程并节省资源的新方法来鼓励飞行员具有创新性。”

Travis AFB已经开始从空军的其他基地收到3D打印零件和回填供应的请求,以便他们可以更快地更换其物品。最终,第60维护中队希望将3D打印机不仅用于飞机零件,还可以为各种组织生产产品。

Latrine covers, the first aircraft parts authorized for use after being printed on the Stratasys F900. Photo via U.S. Air Force/Louis Briscese.
Latrine covers, the first aircraft parts authorized for use after being printed on the Stratasys F900. Photo via U.S. Air Force/Louis Briscese.

美国空军的3D印刷

At Travis AFB, the Air Force field unit has relied on3D printing technologies以前的维护解决方案。2018年12月。空军基地揭示了其使用CreaForm HandyScan 700handheld3D扫描仪检查飞机损害。扫描仪帮助减少了维护时间,并确立了该部门运营的关键技术。

At the time it was also reported that Travis AFB was in the process of procuring two metal and polymer 3D printers into its maintenance operations, for the rapid replacement of aircraft parts. Now having installed a certified Stratasys F900 3D printer, the Air Base has fulfilled its goal of implementing additive manufacturing capabilities.

在空军的其他地方,Dover Air Basein Delaware has used 3D printing to upgrade itsLockheed MartinC-5超级银河大型军事运输飞机。飞机上总共安装了17个3D打印零件,有助于降低维持成本。这空军继续投资3D打印反映了U.S Department of Defence, which includes the快速采用增材制造业

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特色图片显示美国空军技术。中士Rogelio Lopez,第60维护中队助理飞机金属技术部长,负载ULTEM 9085 Stratasys F900的材料。通过美国空军/路易斯briscese摄影。