Additive technologies have already proven their effectiveness in aircraft engine construction, but their potential has not yet been fully realized. This was stated by Sergey Polyakov, a process engineer in the additive technology department of UEC-Saturn (part of the United Engine Corporation of Rostec).
According to him, additive manufacturing is a relatively new direction for the industry, but it already demonstrates important advantages. These include high speed of parts manufacturing and an increased material utilization rate compared to traditional machining methods.
Adaptive technologies have already proven themselves quite well, but still require a lot of thorough development. That is, the potential of the technology, of course, has not yet been exhausted and will continue to develop. And that is why they see promise in it.
At the same time, the key limiting factor for development remains the limited range of materials approved for use in aircraft engines.
It is necessary to expand the list, and this, of course, requires various kinds of research. But nothing stands still, everything will continue to develop, the number of materials, types, methods and quality of implemented parts will certainly grow.
3D printing of metal parts is capable of revolutionizing the entire approach to aircraft manufacturing, the United Aircraft Corporation noted.
