Aircraft engines made from 3D printing technology

Australian scientists have created the world's first two aircraft engines using 3D printing technology, paving the way for new generations of aircraft.

3D printing of aircraft engines could lead to cheaper and lighter aircraft production. Photo: Monash University

The new engine was built using a prototype turbine engine from French manufacturer Safran, which supplies machines to Airbus and Boeing. The team disassembled the old engine and scanned its components.

"This is a breakthrough technology. We have seen a lot of research applying plastic and polymer materials. Now, the materials used are metals, light metals and things like titanium, nickel, aluminum," AFP quoted Ian Smith, an expert at Monash University, as saying on February 25.

“This allows aerospace companies to shorten their production cycles because we are creating engines that are three to four times faster than normal,” said Simon Marriott, chief executive of Amaero Engineering, a company set up by Monash University to commercialise the research.

According to Reuters, Amaero Engineering plans to print engine parts for test flights within the next year and certify commercial use within two to three years.

In the future, this technology will pave the way for the production of lighter, cheaper and more energy-efficient aircraft. 3D metal printers can also be used in the biomedical industry.

According to VnExpress