Sigma Labs Inc (SASI)

[GetRich1day]

Following the success of its first Inconel 718 part demo, the company has begun to produce another part, a rear bearing turbine support, printed with the same material. In order to fly a 3D-printed component on a commercial airplane, even a relatively insignificant part, the FAA must first approve the metal powder that will be used, as well as the part itself.


Researchers at Northwestern University recently printed this copper lattice structure using a new room-temperature metal-printing process that appears to provide the ability to produce completely novel structures for aerospace applications. (Photo: Dr. Adam Jakus, Northwestern University

“We have to select a powder vendor, and then audit that vendor to Honeywell quality standards,” Godfrey says. “Then we must document how the powder is to be received, stored, loaded into the printer and reused after a build. All of that information must be submitted to the FAA.”

Honeywell plans to use its certified engineering-design data (EDD) lab in Bangalore, India, to help test and develop new powders, so that data can be used in the engineering design of a component. In addition to testing the powder, getting a printed component approved takes months and involves printing more than 1000 test bars that must undergo tensile and life-cycle testing, Godfrey adds. Then, several parts must be built and bolted to engines on test stands and flight test beds.

http://www.3dmpmag.com/magazine/article.asp?aid=11309

As I stated before the T&E effort is Huge but it's nice for SGLB to be right in the middle of it as I've previously posted via ICME framework.

Good Luck Longs