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In the comfort of our daily lives, we often take for granted some of the services and perks of our industrious world. We are getting really good at managing the complex scenarios of a global economy where any kind of goods must be shipped and handled efficiently but, still, it’s driving a decisive cost factor in every business. Logistics is inherently complicated but, with AM decentralizing manufacturing capabilities, this is about to change, drastically. In-situ manufacturing is a game-changer in a wide variety of cases. Bespoke replacement parts, like Daimler is doing with its buses, can be produced as needed, driving down storage and production expenses. The Australian DOD is developing a program to deploy 3D printing on the front lines, vastly improving the base’s flexibility in addressing its needs. It goes as far as the ISS, where astronauts will 3D print habitat’s radiation shields through it’s on-board AM device, saving millions on resupply launches.
Daimler Buses implements 3D printing to produce bespoke Mercedes-Benz parts
Daimler Buses, parent company of Mercedes-Benz and Setra, has explained how it is implementing 3D printing to create components for its customers on-demand. Providing the example of a banknote stowage compartment, Daimler has showcased how it is utilizing the technology to create bespoke parts. According to Daimler, the company has so far 3D printed 780 components with over 150 replacement parts currently undergoing validation.
Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses, explains how 3D printing is advancing production of spare parts at the company,
The 3D printing process allows us to install local printers at the production plants operated by Daimler Buses worldwide. It also enables us to respond in a flexible manner at local level to customers’ special wishes and replacement part needs.
Read the full article at 3D Printing Industry.
Australian Department of Defence develops 3D printing programme for fixing frontline aircraft
The Defence Science and Technology Group (DST Group) of the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has developed a 3D printing programme for fixing and strengthening aircraft parts. The technology is used in response to craft on the frontline of defence therefore, according to national security intelligence site Jane’s 360, “boosting the operational ability of military aerospace platforms.”
Defence researcher, Kevin Walker, explains,
Repairing existing parts (as opposed to manufacturing new parts) is often a more cost effective and efficient way of keeping military aircraft in the air. In conjunction with RMIT and industry partners, we have developed laser-based additive manufacturing repairs that can remediate faults such as corrosion, wear and fatigue cracking.
Read the full article here.
ISS Bigelow Expandable Activity Module gets 3D printed radiation shields after passing space debris tests
The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), a modular habitat attached to the International Space Station, has passed a first round of tests concerning its resistance to space debris. 3D printed radiation shields will now be added to the module for extra protection against cosmic rays […] printed on the International Space Station’s Made In Space Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF) 3D printer. Researchers on the project concluded that 3D printed radiation shields were “affordable and optimal at all scales ranging from Cubesats to interplanetary manned missions.”
Read more about the ISS project here.
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