Across the Aerospace & Defence industry, the drive for lower costs, higher standards and increased capabilities along with managing risk and complexity make it more challenging for organisations to compete. This puts greater stress on the early development stages when materials and manufacturing processes are being tested and validated. To combat this, product engineers turn to Protolabs to iterate designs more quickly, prototype in final materials, and manufacture complex geometries. Our automated manufacturing services can be leveraged throughout the product life cycle, from early prototyping and design validation to launch.
Why Do Aerospace and Defense Companies Use Protolabs?
Metal 3D Printing Technology
Use additive manufacturing to build intricate geometries in order to lightweight part designs or reduce the number of metal components in an assembly.
Automated CNC Machining
Leverage high-speed 3-axis and 5-axis milling processes as well as turning with live tooling for increasingly complex metal and plastic components.
Aerospace Tools and Fixtures
Get durable, production-grade tools, fixtures, and other aids within days so development and workflow remain forward moving.
Aircraft Interiors
Benefit from rapid production and delivery of replacement parts for aircraft interiors from one offs to low volume production.
Quality Certifications and Traceability
Take advantage of our ISO9001-certified manufacturing processes for high-requirement parts.
Aerospace Materials
Choose from machined metals like aluminium, titanium, and stainless steel 17-4 PH along with 3D-printed metals like Inconel.
Protolabs Helps ISAR get ready for take-off! |
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ISAR Gears was entrusted with the design of new propeller drive, which utilised a fine-veined channel system, with outlet nozzles for the oil, which is pumped around the system. A robust prototype was needed for testing before the project moved to large scale production. |
| READ ISAR GEARS SUCCESS STORY |
What Materials Work Best for Aerospace Components?
Titanium. Available through machining and 3D printing services, this lightweight and strong material offers excellent corrosion and temperature resistance.
Stainless Steel. SS 17-4 PH is widely used in the aerospace industry due to its high strength, good corrosion resistance, and good mechanical properties at temperatures up to 315°C. Like titanium, it can be machined or 3D printed.
Inconel 718. This 3D-printed metal is a nickel chromium superalloy ideal for rocket engine components and other applications that require high-temperature resistance.
Aluminium. This metal’s high strength-to-weight ratio makes it a good candidate for housing and brackets that must support high loading. Aluminium is available for both machined and 3D-printed parts.
Liquid Silicone Rubber. Our optical silicone rubber is a great PC/PMMA alternative.
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Our digital manufacturing capabilities accelerate the development of a range of metal and plastic aerospace components. A few of common aerospace applications include:
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"Protolabs also provided first class advice for production-oriented designs with special support geometries, etc. All this contributed to a speedy production process. We now have a functioning unit consisting of motor, drive, integrated pump and output flange."
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