Replies to post #51831 on Sigma Labs Inc (SASI)

[VisionaryInc]

From the PDF you posted....always read the summary...

In summary, this project proved the feasibility of printing integrated complex aircraft parts with polymers
by FDM. FDM printing compared favorable to bonded honeycomb structures with face sheets in acoustic
liners. However, printing composite parts by FDM is still considered experimental, as in the case of this effort
to print Ultem 1000 composite vanes. Incorporation of 10% of chopped fibers into Ultem 1000 raised the
viscosity significantly that affected the compounding efficiency in the extruder, resulting in high porosity in
the extruded filaments and FDM-printed composite objects. In light of conventional polymer composites with
65% fiber content, additive manufacturing only looks favorable for printing intricate parts that are difficult to
manufacture by conventional methods. In order to increase the fiber content and reduce porosity in polymer
composites, it might be worthwhile to look into printing composite structures using thermoset polyimides
with higher temperature performance and lower viscosity by selective laser sintering (SLS) for future works.
The modeling of the FDM process using Ultem 9085 was intended to correlate the mechanical performance
of FDM-printed objects with void contents and variation with different raster angles within each layer using
GRC-developed MAX/GMC program for composites. The rough matching between mechanical test results
and modeling prediction in this brief work is encouraging. Recent establishment of b-based allowable of
Ultem 9085 in America Makes’ contract report as an industrial database (Ref. 6) offers an excellent
opportunity to verify computer modeling with mechanical properties of FDM-printed test coupons. The
ultimate goal to predict the performance of FDM-printed parts by computational modeling is achievable
through refinement of modeling.

Still expiremental.

[GetRich1day]

Thinking about that 3D polymer thing again. Interesting development.

Stratasys Direct Manufacturing to 3D print polymer parts for Airbus A350 XWB aircraft

Stratasys Direct Manufacturing, a subsidiary of 3D printing company Stratasys Ltd., has been selected by aerospace giant Airbus to 3D print parts for its A350 XWB aircraft. The parts, which will be printed from an ULTEM™ 9085 polymer, will consist of non-structural parts such as brackets. Stratasys Direct Manufacturing says it will be 3D printing the aircraft components using the company’s FDM production printers.

The goal of 3D printing the non-structural parts will be to give Airbus more supply chain flexibility and better cost competitiveness. 3D printing will also enable the aerospace company to reduce both material consumption and waste in its aircraft manufacturing processes.

http://www.3ders.org/articles/20170718-3d-printing-news-roundup-stratasys-to-3d-print-aircraft-parts-for-airbus-techniplas-opens-am-center-more.html