U.S. based 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company Stratasys Ltd unveiled the first 3D printed aircraft at the Dubai Ai...
U.S. based 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company Stratasys Ltd unveiled the first 3D printed aircraft at the Dubai Airshow (Stand 206).
The high-speed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) built using lightweight materials by additive manufacturing process is powered by a jet engine that enable it to achieve speeds in excess of 150 mph.
Company claims the 3D printing enabled 50 per cent reduction in design and build time.
The company has teamed with Aurora Flight Sciences to deliver the largest and fastest 3D aircraft ever produced.
The UAV has a 3m (9ft.) wingspan and weighs only 15kg (33lb.). 80 percent of its weight is produced by using Stratasys’ flagship Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing technology.
The FDM technology allows to build a completely enclosed, hollow structure which, unlike other manufacturing methods, allows large – yet less dense – objects to be produced.
The nylon fuel tank was laser sintered and the thrust vectoring exhaust nozzle was 3D printed in metal to withstand the extreme heat at the engine nozzle.
