Additive Manufacturing to Shape the Future of Aerospace Industry
Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, creates parts by layering materials, enabling complex designs and internal structures that traditional machining cannot achieve. The aerospace sector is particularly interested in this technology, which allows for the use of high-performance alloys such as titanium, aluminum, and cobalt-chrome to meet extreme mechanical demands.
The Safran Additive Manufacturing Campus, inaugurated in Bordeaux in 2022, focuses on transitioning from innovation to large-scale production. For instance, 3D printing reduced the weight of a titanium block for a landing gear from 8 to 5 kilograms, improving performance and energy efficiency. Additionally, additive manufacturing addresses a key strategic issue: industrial sovereignty, enabling local production without reliance on distant molds or subcontractors, thus ensuring supply security and responsiveness to industry challenges.
