­Phillips Service Industries (PSI) subsidiary Sciaky has been selected to provide its electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) 110 System to Airbus.

Once delivered, Airbus will use the industrial-scale metal 3D printing or additive manufacturing system to produce large titanium-made structural parts.

The EBAM process combines computer-aided design (CAD), additive manufacturing processing principles, and an electron beam heat source that help produce 3D printed parts.

“We all know that metal 3D printing technology is going to revolutionise manufacturing in the aerospace industry, and Sciaky is committed to being at the forefront of this movement.”

Capable of creating parts ranging from 203mm to 5.79m in length, EBAM uses wire feedstock that can accommodate various metals and refractory alloys.

Sciaky marketing vice-president Bob Phillips said: “We all know that metal 3D printing technology is going to revolutionise manufacturing in the aerospace industry, and Sciaky is committed to being at the forefront of this movement.”

In addition, global technology and advanced manufacturing specialist Arconic has signed two separate deals to provide 3D printed metal parts for Airbus’ commercial aircraft family.

Under the deal, Arconic will provide 3D printed ducting components made of high-temperature nickel superalloys for Airbus’ A320 family of aircraft.

As part of the second deal, 3D printed titanium airframe brackets will be supplied for the A320 platform.

Deliveries of the first parts of both the deals are expected by the second quarter of next year.

Image: A Sciaky EBAM 100 System. Photo: courtesy of Sciaky.