For the time being, the Swiss technology and engineering group Oerlikon and the German Lufthansa Technik have concluded a partnership contract for one year. It aims to advance additive manufacturing in the area of aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, providing greater flexibility and cost savings in manufacturing, procurement, warehousing, and supply chain management.

For this purpose, the companies plan to build sample component geometries. The components are to be printed on identical printers at three locations worldwide: Oerlikon in Charlotte (North Carolina, USA), Oerlikon in Barleben (Germany), and Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg (Germany). The same process parameters and powder specifications are used to ensure process reproducibility. The study results will be made available to the respective industry committees in order to support the definition of standards for the qualification and approval of aircraft components. Meanwhile, Oerlikon continues its cooperation strategy. Together with RUAG Space, the company intends to device 3D printing standards in the area of additive manufacturing of metal components for aerospace applications as well.