Israel to 3D Print Titanium Airplane Parts by End of 2015

The Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist has set up an initiative to 3D print the first titanium airplane parts by the end of 2015.

Called “Atid”, the collaboration is headed by Cyclone, a subsidiary of the defense technology company Elbit Systems and supported by companies such as Orbit, Algat, Kass, Admar, the Israel aviation and military industries as well as by academical researchers throughout the county. The goal, however, is not to develop a new 3D printer but to use existing technologies and additive manufacturing devices to create geometrically complex parts for airplanes.

Chief Scientist Avi Hasson in an interview with TheMarker newspaper: “3D printing is making its first strides into the manufacturing process. This is a fascinating field and it is possible that these developments will significantly contribute to the nature of manufacturing processes and products in the future. It is important for Israel to enter the field of 3D printing and it is particularly challenging to begin with materials that need to uphold quality measures and strict strength requirements, as is the case in the aerospace industry.”