Rocket Manufacturer United Launch Alliance Will 3D Print Flight-Ready Rocket Components.

ULA will 3D print flight-ready components - Photo ULADo you think 3D printers are just a new fad for hobbyists or making knickknacks? Or limited to making prototypes? Don't tell that to rocket manufacturer United Launch Alliance (ULA).

Making launch vehicles for NASA, the Air Force and commercial satellites, ULA knows 3D printing is a serious tool that has been around more than 25 years and is a growing production process. And ULA knows a thing or two about critical applications. On the lower-end, its rockets cost a cool $165 million. And they must propel into space billion-dollar satellites weighing more than 60,000 pounds.

To produce 3D printed flight parts for its A350 XWB aircraft.

Airbus has produced more than 1000 flight parts on its Stratasys FDM 3D Production Systems for use in the first-of-type A350 XWB aircraft

Stratasys Ltd., a leading global provider of 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions, has announced that aircraft manufacturer Airbus has produced more than 1000 flight parts on its Stratasys FDM 3D Production Systems for use in the first-of-type A350 XWB aircraft, delivered in December 2014. The company said that the 3D printed parts were used in place of traditionally manufactured parts, the purpose of which was to increase supply chain flexibility and ensure it met its delivery commitment on-time. Airbus initiated development and certification of 3D printing with Stratasys in 2013 as a schedule risk reduction activity that proved valuable for the A350 XWB program, highlighting a key benefit of 3D printing in the manufacturing industry.

More than 94% while increasing plant efficiency with Stratasys3D printing.

Using Stratasys additive manufacturing technology, Volvo Trucks has reduced turnaround times on certain clamps, jigs and supports from 36 days to just two daysVolvo Trucks appears to be benefiting from incorporating Stratasys additive manufacturing technology at its engine production facility in Lyon, France. Figures released by Stratasys show that there has been a dramatic decrease in turnaround times of assembly line manufacturing tools by more than 94 per cent at the plant.