3D Systems to additively manufacture heat exchangers for US Air Force

Rock Hill, South Carolina – 3D Systems is part of a $1.3 million contract to design, build, and test an aircraft heat exchanger to be manufactured using 3D printing. Led by Honeywell International, this project will use 3D Systems’ direct metal printing (DMP) technology as well as the additive manufacturing and materials expertise of Penn State's Center for Innovative Materials Processing through Direct Digital Deposition (CIMP-3D). 

 

The project, administered by America Makes and funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is set to commence in mid-2015. It builds off another contract announced in February to enable wider adoption of 3D Systems’ metal technologies within aerospace companies.

 

"Additive manufacturing offers design freedoms that are simply not possible using traditional manufacturing process," said John Wilczynski, America Makes deputy director of technology development. "The teaming by America Makes with industry leaders and researchers that possess substantial experience in heat exchangers and 3D printing will allow us to explore higher-performing and lower-cost conformal parts."

 

In addition, this effort accelerates validation of 3D Systems’ manufacturing capability and provides America Makes members – including every major U.S. defense and aerospace company – with the hard data necessary to evaluate the technology. Further, it is expected that this project's results could accelerate validation of 3D Systems’ manufacturing capability as a new component of Honeywell's supply chain.

 

Neal Orringer, vice president of Alliances & Partnerships, 3D Systems, said, "This contract selection will allow our team to deliver to the Air Force innovative, high-performing heat exchangers, and will provide valuable data on part strength, pressure resistance and performance."