Boeing and Oerlikon partner to develop 3D-printing processes

Boeing has signed a collaboration agreement with Swiss technology and engineering group Oerlikon to develop standard materials and processes for metal-based additive manufacturing.

The five-year deal is expected to help the partnership create standard processes for 3D-printed structural titanium parts for various aerospace applications.

The partnership will initially focus on industrialising titanium powder-bed fusion additive manufacturing and work towards ensuring that components made using this process meet the flight requirements of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defence.

It will also help companies to overcome existing difficulties while qualifying materials and processes for the aerospace sector, as well as assist in the adoption of 3D printing technology to produce high-quality products at targeted costs.

Project findings will be used by Boeing and Oerlikon to support the qualification of 3D printing suppliers to manufacture metallic components using several machines and materials.

Boeing chief technologist Leo Christodoulou said: “This agreement is an important step toward fully unlocking the value of powder-bed titanium additive manufacturing for the aerospace industry.

“Boeing and Oerlikon will work together to standardise additive manufacturing operations from powder management to finished product and thus enable the development of a wide range of safe, reliable and cost-effective structural titanium aerospace components.”

Last year, Boeing designed and installed an FAA-qualified 3D-printed structural titanium component on a 787 Dreamliner commercial aircraft.

The company has so far provided nearly 50,000 3D-printed parts for several commercial, space and defence programmes.

Oerlikon primarily provides additive manufacturing services, including metal powder production, component design, manufacturing, post-processing and quality inspection.