Arcam AB fka AMAVF

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NAVAIR marks first flight with 3-D printed, safety-critical parts

NAVAIR marks first flight with 3-D printed, safety-critical parts - July 29, 2016

The news release does not specifically identify the additive technology used. This group has used Arcam EBM in the past with little mention of other technologies.

An MV-22B Osprey completed a test flight outfitted with a titanium, 3-D printed link and fitting assembly for the engine nacelle. This link and fitting assembly is one of four that secure a V-22’s engine nacelle to the primary wing structure and will remain on the aircraft for continued evaluation. The flight was performed using the standard V-22 flight performance envelope.
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“The flight today is a great first step toward using AM wherever and whenever we need to. It will revolutionize how we repair our aircraft and develop and field new capabilities – AM is a game changer,” said Liz McMichael, AM Integrated Product Team lead. “In the last 18 months, we’ve started to crack the code on using AM safely. We’ll be working with V-22 to go from this first flight demonstration to a formal configuration change to use these parts on any V-22 aircraft.”
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Today’s demonstration is the first time a U.S. Navy aircraft flew with an AM part deemed essential to maintaining safe flight.
Navy officials envision a future where all parts can be made on-demand globally by fleet maintainers and operators, and our industry partners -- stocking digital data instead of ordering, stocking and shipping parts. Today’s flight is an important step toward achieving that vision.
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“Our AM team has done some incredible work in a relatively short period of time -- both internally through its production of aircraft components to be used in flight testing and externally through its liaison with industry and other government organizations,” said Vice Adm. Paul A. Grosklags, NAVAIR commander. “Although the flight today is a great step forward, we are not trying to ‘lead’ industry in our AM efforts, but it is absolutely critical that we understand what it takes to successfully manufacture and qualify AM parts for flight in naval aircraft, which we expect will largely be manufactured by our industry partners.
Where I believe we can ‘lead’ industry is in the development of the AM "digital thread,"from initial design tools all the way to the flight line -- securely maintained and managed through the life of an aircraft program.”



The Navy has been working on this project for a few years. The Navy is very aware or the time used to qualify/certify flight components. That's one of the driving forces for advancing the technology. This is their "first flight". The perceived speed of the adoption of the technology may be dependent on risk.

"In FY 2015, the unit cost of the MV-22 is $71.92 million (flyaway cost)."
Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey



Additional background information on NAVAIR additive manufacturing is available if interested. Only some of it specifically mentions Arcam or electron beam melting.

NAVAIR Officials Outline Additive Manufacturing Roadmap, Upcoming Parts Test - May 17, 2016

NAVAIR Additive Manufacturing - July 28, 2015


NAVAIR Details Plan to Use 3-D Printing for Aircraft Parts - April 15, 2015

NAVAIR partners with industry on 3-D printing, develop a roadmap for the future - Aug 11, 2014

Additive Manufacturing is making headway at NAVAIR Lakehurst - Aug 11, 2014

Additive Manufacturing Roadmap and Key Initiatives - NAVAIR AM Industry Day - July 24, 2014

AM Implementation Opportunities and Challenges - NAVAIR AM Industry Day - July 24, 2014




Additive Laser and Electron Beam Manufacturing - William E. Frazier, Ph.D.Chief Scientist, Air Vehicle Engineering NAVAIR - November 10, 2010