QinetiQ, in collaboration with Additive Manufacturing Solutions Limited (AMS Ltd), has conducted the maiden flight of an aircraft featuring a 3D printed structural component produced from recycled titanium.
The flight, said to be a world first, was carried out by QinetiQ’s Flight Test Organisation at MOD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire.
The component flown was a hinge forming part of an Air Data Boom, attached to a QinetiQ-owned A109S helicopter currently being developed for ETPS, the flight test training school. QinetiQ designed and integrated the hinge, while AMS Ltd. manufactured the component using titanium recovered from a decommissioned aircraft.
AMS Ltd.’s proprietary recycling process converts scrap metal into powder that meets the quality requirements for additive manufacturing. The process achieves 97% efficiency, minimizing material loss, particularly significant for high-cost, hard-to-source metals such as titanium. Compared to traditional supply chains, it also generates 93.5% less CO2e.
Titanium is widely used in defense platforms due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. Global demand for aerospace-grade titanium has increased with urbanization and infrastructure growth, with China and Russia currently the largest suppliers.
The approach demonstrated by AMS Ltd. and QinetiQ has the potential to reduce UK dependency on imported titanium. AMS Ltd. estimates that the UK could become self-sufficient if titanium from scrap aircraft were fully extracted and recycled.
Simon Galt, Managing Director Air, QinetiQ, commented, “Our testing and engineering expertise is helping to prove the technology which will reduce the UK’s dependency on other nations for aerospace grade titanium. Not only are we helping to strengthen UK supply chains, we are also leading the rest of the world in the very latest 3D printing technology.”
Rob Higham, AMS Director & CEO, added, “AMS has tirelessly built momentum and expertise within the additive powder market, with a sharp focus on providing recycled feedstocks. This milestone reflects the dedication of our team and QinetiQ’s commitment to a more resilient and sustainable future.”
The post Maiden Flight for 3D Printed Recycled Titanium Aircraft Component appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.
发布者：Eleanor Widdows，转转请注明出处：https://robotalks.cn/maiden-flight-for-3d-printed-recycled-titanium-aircraft-component/
