FAIRFIELD, CT—A metal sensor housing has become the first 3D-printed part certified by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly inside a commercial jet engine.
NEW YORK CITY—Alcoa Inc. is researching how they can best incorporate 3D printing technology into its business as the third largest producer of aluminum in the world. Alcoa’s chief technology officer, Ray Kilmer, says that the aluminum maker is attempting to use 3D printing to produce jet engine parts, among other things.
By redesigning multipart components, such as fuel nozzles, ducting and valves, into one-piece components, engineers can reduce weight, simplify assembly and cut costs.
Pencil-shaped, the Bloodhound SSC supersonic car aims to rewrite history in the summer of 2015. At that time, the car will attempt to reach a land speed of 1,000 mph—easily exceeding the world land speed record of 763 mph, set by its predecessor Thrust SSC on Oct. 15, 1997.
