Renishaw, one of the most popular manufacturers of 3D printing systems made of metal, has entered into cooperation with BAE Systems, a defense and aviation industry group. The agreement companies signed will allow them to jointly develop solutions in the field of additive technologies for the needs of the defense and aviation sector. Their main goal is to reduce material costs and production time, while maintaining the highest quality standards of created combat aircraft.
The jointly implemented project is an opportunity to exchange experiences – Renishaw has a rich knowledge in the field of 3D printing, while specialists from BAE Systems can boast many years of experience in solutions created for the defense and aviation sector.
For BAE Systems this is not the first contact with 3D printing technology. The organization has been exploring this topic for over twenty years – during this time it managed to establish cooperation among others with the company Stratasys, whose devices support the production of both prototypes and elements of fighter aircraft equipment.
Now, according to preliminary assumptions, as part of cooperation with Renishaw, a New Product Development & Process Development Center (NPPDC) will be created with an area of over 1,000 square meters. This is where experiments will be conducted to optimize incremental manufacturing technologies and adapt them to the production requirements of BAE Systems.
As Andy Schofield, director of production technology and materials at BAE Systems, says, the benefits of implementing additive technologies are undeniable. The choice of Renishaw as a partner for further research was made based on the high quality of components manufactured using their devices. Schofield believes that the cooperation will create an environment that enables the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience to create innovation. In such intensively developing industries, information transfer is necessary to create fields for the modernization of previously used technological solutions.
Will Lee, director of Renishaw, admits that the team is eagerly awaiting the potential opportunities that may arise from the cooperation. Together with BAE Systems, specialists from Renishaw want to focus mainly on the development of incremental technologies that will meet the stringent requirements set for the methods of production of elements for the needs of the aviation industry.
Source: www.centrumdruku3d.pl