Boeing Files Patent for 3D Printed Aircraft Replacement Parts

In their patent “Three Dimensional Printing of Parts” published last week, Boeing describes how parts can be manufactured based on a file downloaded from a database using 3D printing technology.

This process could significantly reduce costs for airlines, as replacement parts would be 3D printed at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional manufacturing methods. The new approach would also eliminate the need of storage or reduce waiting time for shipment of replacement parts.

Boeing is currently already using 300 different 3D printed non-metallic parts on aircrafts, amounting to a total of 20,000 parts, according to GeekWire. The patent also covers materials such as metals, metal alloys and other “desirable materials”.