Airframe Designs Expands 3D Printing Services

Leading aerospace specialist Airframe Designs is investing in the very latest technology as it expands its services in 3D printing.

The company is meeting the challenge of the aviation industry with its commitment to innovation and technology to reduce waste, make lighter parts for aircraft and contribute to its customers’ efforts towards Net Zero.

To date, the organisation has invested in a second 3D printing machine, a state-of-the-art Stratasys Fortus 450, a new five-axis milling machine and new sophisticated resin printing technology to offer increased capability and quality of parts and tools for its increasing customer base.

Garry Sellick, additive manufacturing manager at Airframe Designs, said: “Ultimately, we are helping our customers across the aerospace and defence supply chains to achieve many of their goals. This technology enables us to produce lightweight, highly accurate and robust airframe parts and tooling which are delivered at pace, whilst also helping to reduce carbon emissions.

“This technology gives us increased capability and capacity to produce multi-component parts quicker and more efficiently than ever before.”

The services offered by Blackpool-based Airframe Designs meet the demand by the aviation industry for lightweight interior cabin parts, as well as aircraft tooling, with the need to move towards Net Zero by 2050. The technology can also be adapted for other industries including automotive, space, nuclear and rail.

The company has recently been re-certified to AS9100D/BS EN ISO 9001:2015 for aerospace quality standards and achieved certification in ISO 14001 for effective environmental management systems. Additionally, we hold ISO 27001 certification for information security management and have attained Cyber Essentials Plus.

Airframe Designs is also generating a contribution to the energy it uses using its own solar energy and battery storage system at its headquarters, whilst also committing to the SME Climate Hub, an initiative that supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their efforts to join the global race to Net Zero carbon emissions.

Recent projects undertaken by Airframe Designs include the integration of new systems into heavy lift drone platforms, conceptual design at a platform level for new uncrewed air-systems, test rig and tooling for electric vehicle propulsion systems and most recently the design and analysis of operator consoles for a special mission aircraft.

Website: www.airframedesigns.com