Rolls-Royce is planning to use 3D printing technology to make jet engine parts in a bid to ramp up production and produce more lightweight components.
The new technology is anticipated to enable Rolls-Royce to trim down lead times, while offering an inventory benefit with less need to store components.
Rolls-Royce technology strategy head Henner Wapenhans was cited by the Financial Times as saying that the new technology could produce parts more quickly, slashing lead times.
"3D printing opens up new possibilities, new design space," Wapenhans said.
"Through the 3D printing process, you’re not constrained [by] having to get a tool in to create a shape. You can create any shape you like.
"There are studies that show one can create better lightweight structures, because you just take the analogy of what nature does and how bones are built up – they’re not solid material.
"And so things that are simple things like brackets can be made a lot lighter."
However, there was no clue of what parts would be built via the latest printing technology.
"One of the great advantages in the aerospace world is that some of these parts that we make have very long lead times, because of the tooling process that’s got to [happen], and then it takes potentially 18 months to get the first part after placing an order – versus printing it, which could be done quite rapidly," Wapenhans added.
"Even if it takes a week to print, that’s still a lot faster."
With the ability to transform the manufacturing practises of several products from hip replacements to sports shoes, 3D printing technology is also planned to be used by other firms including General Electric, while GE Aviation acquired two privately held 3D printing firms.
Other firms including Siemens and BMW are also involved in developing applications for additive manufacturing.
Gartner’s report projects that the demand for 3D printers (3DPs) would grow by 49% by the end of the year and 75% in 2014, while consumer spending on the technology would reach $412m this year, up 43% from last year.
