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HP MULTI JET FUSION HELPS ENHANCE PERFORMANCE IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
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FDM Digital Solutions is the UK’s leader in Additive Manufacturing and has established itself as the country’s go-to application lifecycle management (ALM) software specialist.
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THE CHALLENGE
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Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) wings on aircraft are predominately made of carbon fiber, which may become damaged in certain areas during the wing build. To repair this carbon fiber, the area must be sanded back to allow new material to be built in its place. With the current solution, the heat cannot be applied directly; therefore, cure times could not be predicted, thus impacting the build rate and quality of the wing repair.
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RESULTS
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INDUSTRY
Industrial
SECTOR
Machinery and equipment
MATERIAL
HP 3D High Reusability2 PA 12
POST-PROCESSING
Bead blasting
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FDM Digital Solutions designed a 3D printed end-application kit using HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technology and HP 3D HR PA 12 material, which can withstand the temperatures required to successfully cure the damaged areas.1
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Each kit contains a quick-release clamp that attaches to the heat hose, meaning any of the end applicators could be swapped and changed quickly. HP MJF also allows for:
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Improved performance: HP MJF uses a fine-grain HP 3D HR PA 12 material that allows for ultrathin layers of 80 microns, which leads to the creation of parts with high density and low porosity, compared with parts produced with SLS. It also leads to an exceptionally smooth surface directly from the printer, with functional parts that need minimal post-production finishing.
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Time reduction: 3D printing these parts leads to short lead times, ideal for functional prototypes and small series of end parts.
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1. Tested with diluted alkalies, concentrated alkalies, chlorine salts, alcohol, ester, ethers, ketones, aliphatic hydrocarbons, unleaded petrol, motor oil, aromatic hydrocarbons, toluene, and DOT 3 brake fluid.
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2. Based on using recommended packing densities and compared to selective laser sintering (SLS)
technology, offers excellent reusability without sacrificing mechanical performance. Tested according to
ASTM D638, ASTM D256, ASTM D790, and ASTM D648 and using a 3D scanner for dimensional accuracy.
Testing monitored using statistical process controls. HP Jet Fusion 3D Printing Solutions using HP 3D H
Reusability PA 12 provide up to 80% post-production surplus powder Reusability, producing functional
parts batch after batch. For testing, material is aged in real printing conditions and powder is tracked by
generations (worst case for reusability). Parts are then made from each generation and tested for
mechanical properties and accuracy.
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