Obsolescence is an unavoidable by-product of technological progress, but for highly-regulated industries such as aerospace, obsolescence can pose a huge problem due to compliance issues that make it hard to source alternative components. However, with developments in additive manufacturing (AM), many are wondering whether 3D printed components could provide a solution. In this article, Neil Ballinger, Head of EMEA at EU Automation, discusses the use of AM to manage obsolescence in the aerospace industry.
The aerospace and defence industry was one of the first to adopt additive technology – thanks to the many applications of AM, the sector become one of the market’s biggest player, contributing $3.58bn in 2020. With the growing demand for lightweight parts for aircraft engines, 3D printing provides many benefits for the aerospace industry, such…
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