3 major trends driving growth in the 3D printing

Ceramic aerospace 3D printing materials are also witnessing major incorporation in aircraft parts. The material is widely used in aircraft landing systems for reducing the overall weight and to maintain the core structure for handling high impact force.

A rise in space exploration activities along with expansive proliferation of aircrafts across the military and defence sector will drive global aerospace 3D printing materials market outlook. NASA has installed a plastic 3D printer in the ISS (International Space Station) that prints parts using ABS and ULTEM plastic.

Demand for rapid prototyping

Rapid prototyping is experiencing high demand to enable low production volumes through fabrication of intricate trial prototypes through aerospace 3D printing materials. In addition, it allows a cost-effective trial to validate an aircraft part before rolling-out full-scale manufacturing. The method of rapid prototyping is highly accurate and is ideal for aerodynamic analysis and testing as the surface finish that is achieved through the method is often an excellent representative of a final part.

3D printing is now routinely explored to create and manufacture aerospace components that rely on aesthetics more than function, such as light housings, door wheels, control wheels, and interior dashboard designs. Rapid prototyping applications will generate a revenue of over $105m a year by the end of 2026.

Growing customisation applications

3D printing technologies’ significant impact on aircraft design is resulting in the improvement of aircraft performance. An average corporate aircraft travel 75,000 miles every month and a single component that is designed and manufactured with the help of 3D printing can reduce air drag by 2.1%, and fuel costs by approximately 5.41%. Such small adjustments through customisation can save huge expenditure.

Several parts can be tailored or customised to a specific aircraft like bracketry, or type of aircraft including passenger, helicopter or cargo. Apart from this, 3D printing also provides topology optimisation and part consolidation of many custom aerospace components.

3D printing of jigs and fixtures

Jigs and fixture aerospace 3D printing materials market size is estimated to showcase a steady growth over the coming years, on account of the extensive usage of the components for enhancing the accuracy and quality of the manufacturing process of aircrafts. Utilisation of the materials aids in reducing the production cycle times, and enables reduced investments along with faster production cycles.

Military and defence applications

The military and defence sector is heavily investing in additive manufacturing to produce utility hydraulic panels and landing gear doors. Rising geopolitical tension resulting in high military expenditure will boost the consumption of aerospace 3D printing materials in military aircrafts in the coming years. From military and defence applications, the aircraft segment will garner gains at 18% through 2026.

Airline fleet expansion in Asia Pacific

APAC holds a major share in aerospace 3D printing materials industry, witnessing heavy growth over the next few years. Countries in the region including India and China, are likely to double their airline fleet in next two decades owing to increased regional passenger traffic. In addition, improvement in fuel efficiency of the aircrafts through weight reduction will further drive the regional aerospace 3D printing materials markets.