With 3D printing, can a part ever be obsolete?

2022-05-14 23:44:24 By : Ms. Hemin Chow

The US Air Force (USAF) and GE recently entered the third phase of its ‘Pacer Edge’ pathfinder. Phase III has focused on 3D printing for four parts that are currently obsolete: a bellcrank, gearbox seat, anti-icing valve body, and a cross shaft arm. The first two parts, the cross shaft arm, and the bellcrank, have been successfully printed in cobalt-chrome on a fleet of M2 Series 5 system at GE Additive‘s facility in Cincinnati.

The final phase of the program over the coming years is to establish the USAF’s own metal additive production infrastructure initially at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. This capability will alleviate long lead timetables that currently plague the casting and forging industries.

“Pacer Edge represents a monumental step forward in innovative partnership with industry. Through this program, our enterprise team will deliver safe and timely propulsion readiness in support of the United States warfighter,” said Mr. John Sneden, Director of Propulsion, USAF.

USAF is not the only entity struggling to receive their castings and forgings in a timely manner. It remains a choke point for many industries and has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Public-private initiatives like the recently announced ‘AM Forward’ initiative will also help to address DoD’s sustainment and readiness challenges head-on. Strengthening U.S. supply chains, by encouraging small and medium-sized manufacturers across the United States to adopt metal additive technology, will create a nationwide network of qualified additive manufacturing suppliers,” said Lauren Tubesing, Director of Operations, Military Programs at GE Additive.

GE Additive www.ge.com/additive

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers. Connect, share, and learn today »

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us