Rapid.Tech 2014: Additive Manufacturing in Aviation

For the 11th time, on May 14-15, 2014, Rapid.Tech in Erfurt will be the meeting place for newcomers and experts, researchers and users to get to know and discuss the latest results, trends and opportunities of additive manufacturing processes. As part of this, the 4th “Aviation” specialist forum will enable participants from this field to have an especially deep exchange of knowledge and information. The two-day specialist forum, designed especially for applications and opportunities in aviation, is characterized by its meshing of lectures (simultaneously interpreted English and German) and practical exhibition.

 

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is one of the key technologies for the implementation of global trends such as Industry 4.0, sustainability, and individualization. “Additive manufacturing processes have already become partially established for the serial manufacture of components in aviation. The potential of the applications, however, has not yet been fully tapped”, reported Dr. Eric Klemp, Direct Manufacturing Research Center (DMRC) of the University of Paderborn and head of the “Aviation” specialist forum, which offers 13 simultaneously interpreted lectures (German / English) this year. The first two presentations, which deal with the importance of additive manufacturing in aviation, also emphasize this. In one, Stephan Eelman from Boeing gives an overview of the significant areas of application that have achieved sustainable success in technology development and product development at Boeing. He also explores the requirements with regard to the transfer of rapid prototyping to (serial) production, depending on the different manufacturing processes and materials. 

 

In the second presentation, Georg Rayczyk, Liebherr Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH, presents a new approach to the additive manufacture of highly stressed hydraulic valve blocks using a selective laser melting process (SLM). The program of the specialist forum also includes presentations on different strategies and procedures for the serial production of modules and components, such as the manufacture of engine components using metal laser sintering at MTU Aero Engines and the use of the SLM hull-and-core strategy discussed by Dr Dieter Schwarze from SLM Solutions, among others. 

 

Further presentations are concerned with future-oriented research strategies, for example RepAIR – European collaborative research for the use of additive manufacturing in aircraft maintenance and scenarios of potential changes to the MRO processes through the use of AM. 

 

There will also be a presentation about the possibilities created by a new software application for the additive manufacture of grid structures. Another topic in the program is certifications in the aviation sector, as well as economic factors and influencing factors of additive manufacturing.

 

The Rapid.Tech specialist trade fair provides comprehensive information about the latest developments in materials, procedures and machines. “Additive manufacturing processes are becoming ever more relevant across multiple industries and are playing an increasingly important part in production processes. This is generating an enormous demand for information, as well as for an interchange of experiences and discussion”, reported Wieland Kniffka, Head of Messe Erfurt. “Rapid.Tech is setting standards here, with its mix of think-tank, knowledge transfer and an exhibition geared toward practical applications.” 

 

Source: Messe Erfurt GmbH