CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/830100
TRENDS AEROSPACE JUNE 2017 12 CompositesWorld The trend toward use of polymeric additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing to produce tooling for composite parts is growing. CW reported in its July 2015 issue (short.compos- itesworld.com/3Dtools) that many see it as the key to reducing lead times, enabling them to keep pace with composite part design and manufacturing cycles that are accelerating in all markets, including aerospace. Tools can be 3D printed in days or as little as hours, and — with improving materials and build designs — can, in many cases, stand up to auto- clave cycles, Stratasys Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN, US), a manufacturer of AM systems using fused deposition modeling (FDM) tech- nology is working with many customers on both AM tooling and part concepts and materials. Among them is Dassault Falcon Jet (South Hackensack, NJ, US and Little Rock, AR, US). Fifty to 70 Falcon aircraft undergo completion per yearly in Little Rock. That Dassault Falcon Jet is an AM innovator is consistent with its history. The venerable French aviation company, celebrated its centenary in 2016. Founded by aeronautical engineer Marcel Bloch (later known as Marcel Dassault), who developed the two-bladed Éclair propeller, founded the Societe d'Etudes Aeronautiques (SEA) to build planes for 3D printed tooling for Falcon Jet France in World War I, Dassault produced passenger aircraft for Air France prior to World War II and grew tremendously between 1945 and 1975, fielding the Mirage and Mystère combat fighter jets, French civil aircraft and business jets. The Dassault Falcon 20 made its first flight in 1963. Today, the company is known for its "heavy" bizjets. Notably, Walton Process Technologies, Inc. Best Customer Service in The Industry www.autoclave s .com Mansfield TX 682-518-9002 Service/Repair Retrofit/Relocate Autoclaves Bond Presses Batch Process Controls Ovens Parts Source | Stratasys