The ability to produce parts rapidly on demand has added unforeseen flexibility to the Aerospace 3D printing sector.

The demand for new aircraft due to the growth in commercial air travel, so far a demand of almost 38,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years is predicted. To supply and fulfill the rising demands, the designers, equipment manufacturers, and sellers are on a lookout for cost-effective solutions to build these aircraft as quickly and resourcefully as possible. An industry branch and technology working in both space flight and aviation sectors have been adopting and evolving technology since the 1980s. A new technology that has come up with the promise of changing the way companies build new goods, like components for aerospace and defense. This groundbreaking development process is known as 3D printing. It is also known as additive manufacturing. 

The increased demand from the aerospace industry for technologies capable of producing advanced aerospace and the shorter supply chain are key aspects that are likely to drive the aerospace 3D printing business. The aerospace 3D printing market is also projected to be powered by the need for components and lightweight parts from the aerospace industry. A limitation of 3D printing raw materials can impede the aerospace 3D printing industry. Opportunities such as the introduction of innovative 3d printing technology needing a reduced amount of assembly time are projected to fuel the market of aerospace 3D printing during the forecasted period.
Aerospace components often include internal cooling tubes, interior elements, thin walls, and complicated curved surfaces. Aerospace components often include internal cooling tubes, interior elements, thin walls, and complicated curved surfaces. It helps in cost reduction, decreased waste, quicker delivery times, greater consistency, improved surface finishes across the aircraft. Typically, for a large part of its production, the aerospace industry uses additive manufacturing, due to the short-range of aircraft parts. Innovation may create complex pieces that are durable and lightweight relative to those produced with traditional procedures, which is a direct advantage.

In comparison, 3D printing may generate hundreds of thousands of components without depending on expensive tooling improvements common with traditional manufacturing methods. "Tool-less" manufacture involves less energy, as adapted parts or upgrades can be produced as needed, thus alleviating the need for expensive storage. The aerospace industry uses 3D printing to manufacture end-use parts, prototypes, reduce supply chain constraints, reduce storage space, reduce storage costs and reduce waste production materials. The technology is also used to explore ground-breaking innovation, by reducing commercial airplane travel emissions, space building and even bio printing in space.

Already the aerospace industry of the 3D printing business and is to be expected to develop at one of the highest levels in the years to come, creating tremendous growth prospects for market contributors in the coming years. Both engine manufacturers and aircraft manufacturers have been eager to rely on technology to develop lightweight parts. As the aerospace industry starts to see the importance of 3D printing, we should anticipate more companies to start establishing on-site 3D printing operations and to invest in technology. Nonetheless, on-site printing facilities deliver ground-breaking real-time modeling, packaging, testing, and deployment of personalized components. 3D printing tech is also developing exponentially and will have an even greater impact on aerospace manufacturing processes.

Global 3D printing in the aerospace market is projected to increase exponentially during the forecast duration due to the adoption of new strategies, such as mergers and acquisitions, increased investment in R&D and others worldwide. The key companies in the aerospace 3D printing market are The Exone Company, Materialise NV, Arcam AB, Ultimaker B.V., MTU Aero Engines AG, Envisiontec GmbH, Norsk Titanium, EOS GmbH, 3D Systems Corporation, Stratasys Ltd., Höganäs AB, and Aerojet Rocketdyne.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.