A manufacturing research pact among Airbus, aerostructure
manufacturer Aerosud, and the South African Council for
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), reportedly aims to
develop the biggest, fastest 3D printer possible for making
titanium aircraft and satellite components. Airbus' entrance
into the agreement is for testing the viability of components
made with the process. The project, called Aeroswift, actually
began earlier this year when Aerosud and the South African
CSIR's National Laser Centre agreed to work together to slash
the production costs of aerospace components using laser
additive manufacturing (LAM), another name for selective laser
sintering (SLS). It focuses on using titanium powders for the
production of large, complex components. Airbus, aerostructure
manufacturer Aerosud, and the South African Council for
Scientific and Industrial Research, are partnering to develop
the biggest, fastest 3D printer possible for making titanium
aircraft and satellite components. Shown here, the Airbus