Airbus has inaugurated a highly automated fuselage assembly line at its A320 factory in Hamburg, Germany. The new line features a digital data acquisition system, 20 robots, automated guided vehicles, and automated positioning by laser measurement.
Although 3D printing is a relatively quick process, creating a final prototype or a production-ready product with the technology can take months or even years.
PITTSBURGH—Pittsburgh International Airport unveiled plans for Neighborhood 91, one of the world’s first development focused on bringing all parts of the additive manufacturing supply chain into one location.
Beer drinkers have debated for years about whether the taste of a bottle of beer improves with age. What they agree upon, however, is that the longer a company makes beer, the better the odds that it produces a great-tasting product, glass after glass.
Additive manufacturing is transforming the way many types of products are designed and assembled. One industry that's benefitting the most is aerospace, which traditionally requires complex, low-volume components that must withstand rigorous operating conditions.
The appeal of 3D printing is strong and growing among manufacturers in all sectors. For those in the aerospace industry, this technology offers a way to quickly and economically produce lighter parts that reduce airplane mass and fuel consumption.
Automotive engineers are intrigued by the numerous benefits of metal additive manufacturing for applications ranging from seat brackets to under-the-hood components.
Plastic injection molding, metal casting and metal stamping are age-old processes that form the backbone of manufacturing. Traditionally, there's no better way to mass-produce plastic or metal parts.
HUNTSVILLE, AL—The University of Alabama's Office for Operational Excellence here will participate in a recently funded program to integrate additive manufacturing into the United States Army, and pilot an additive manufacturing-based supply chain.
