After exploring a number of industrial-grade additive manufacturing solutions to meet its goals, Plyform saw the benefits of using 3D printing with industrial-grade additives. The company selected Stratasys’ FDM-based F900 3D printer. Using the F900, Plyform is using 3D printed composite tools to produce a wide range of high-quality carbon-fiber parts for helicopters, significantly faster than using aluminum tools and at a fraction of the cost. This is exemplified when producing the pilot’s cyclic stick.
The company 3D prints a mold tool in a high-performance soluble material, ST-130. The carbon fiber composite material is then wrapped around the mold, and once cured, the internal sacrificial core is washed away leaving the final composite part. “To produce the composite tool for a helicopter’s pilot stick, traditionally we would need four hours to mill the tool and another four hours to give it an external treatment to avoid resin contamination,” noted Ceriani. With Stratasys FDM Technology, we can 3D print a tool in just two-and-a-half hours and at 80% reduced cost. In addition, I estimate that using this technique, the quality of the part has improved by 30%. This is a game-changer for our business.”
The results were so positive that Plyform now uses the F900 across its entire production process, from composite tooling to final part production. With more customers seeking low volumes of final aircraft parts in short lead times, Plyform is also utilizing the F900 to extend its service offeringto customers. Due to stringent certification required in the aerospace industry, the company leverages Stratasys’ aerospace-grade ULTEM™ 9085 resin to 3D print flight-ready parts with the desired flame, smoke and toxicity requirements for use on aircraft. “Additive manufacturing enables us to overcome the time and cost limitations of traditional low-volume production for aerospace, but there are strict rules and regulations around certification that require the highest level of repeatability and traceability with every part manufactured,” said Ceriani.
“The F900 offers the best precision and repeatability of all additive manufacturing technologies we’ve tried, while the ULTEM™ 9085 resin is ideal for the aerospace industry as it’s FST compliant and offers high chemical and thermal resistance. Having access to this technology enables us to bypass the traditional tooling process and 3D print lightweight parts for our customers on demand at a much lower cost.” The future looks bright. Leveraging the F900’s large build plate, Plyform is able to produce complex geometries, down to the smallest millimeter or large-scale parts, that might not be possible using subtractive production processes. Through the 3D printer’s capabilities and additive manufacturing, Plyform is well positioned to meet its need and the needs of its customers for a long time.
