3D printing aerospace parts for the Aviation and Space industries
3D printing implants is perfect for patients especially in titanium because titanium is one of the few metals that is bio-compatible with the human body. 3D printing can create personalised implants specific to every individual patient, at very fast speeds. Having a custom medical device improves the chances of a successful surgery and makes a life-changing difference for the patient.
A typical steel spur gear weighs 180g. Additive Engineering’s 3D printed gear in titanium with a honeycomb structural core and solid gear teeth saved 75% in weight. These weight savings are significant when you factor in multiple gears in gearboxes and leadtime to customise gears in limited volumes.
Porsche produced its first engine-gearbox housing using laser metal additive manufacturing process, passing all quality and stress tests in 2020. Porsche estimated that 3D printing the gearbox housing itself is more lightweight than conventionally cast part, reducing the overall weight of the drive by ten percent. Rodin cars 3D printed their first titanium 3D printed parts, the Rodin FZero gearbox in 2021. To 3D print in titanium lends benefits of a lighter, stronger, more durable and compact gearbox compared to traditional methods.
Benefits of utilising 3D printing implants tailored to individual patients include:
3D printing technology allows streamlining of the design process to custom make one unique part per patient to accurately match the patient’s CAD file. This minimises the time for implant fittings with consultations involving specialists including surgeons, prosthodontists, prosthetists and medical implant developers, saving the patient consultation time, fees and stress.
The team at Additive Engineering can help guide you to achieve the best printed outcome for your design.
Advancements in software allows design for additive manufacturing which are organic, complex designs that cannot be effectively produced using other manufacturing methods. Design can be made lighter, porous 3D printed implants with lattice structures and using the material that is required creates a perfect match medical device in shorter lead times.
Maxillofacial implants printed by Additive Engineering in Titanium were used to deliver a unique custom fit for surgery in a delicate area of the body. Implants are bespoke to each patient to be a perfect fit, as a result reducing consultations and surgery time by 70%, optimising patient outcomes and halving recovery time.
To learn more about the bio-compatible titanium alloy material Additive Engineering uses,
A typical steel spur gear weighs 180g. Additive Engineering’s 3D printed gear in titanium with a honeycomb structural core and solid gear teeth saved 75% in weight. These weight savings are significant when you factor in multiple gears in gearboxes and leadtime to customise gears in limited volumes.
Porsche produced its first engine-gearbox housing using laser metal additive manufacturing process, passing all quality and stress tests in 2020. Porsche estimated that 3D printing the gearbox housing itself is more lightweight than conventionally cast part, reducing the overall weight of the drive by ten percent. Rodin cars 3D printed their first titanium 3D printed parts, the Rodin FZero gearbox in 2021. To 3D print in titanium lends benefits of a lighter, stronger, more durable and compact gearbox compared to traditional methods.
