Safran Landing Systems, the world’s largest supplier of landing gear, has teamed up with German metal additive manufacturing (AM) equipment specialist SLM Solutions to evaluate the feasibility of using its technology in the production of large, safety-critical aircraft components.

The trial involved 3D-printing the main fitting for the nose landing gear of a business jet, layer-by-layer, from titanium alloy powder.

It was a world first for such a large part measuring 455 x 295 x 805 mm tall. The component was redesigned to optimise its production using metal powder bed AM, leading to a time saving in the build process and a significant weight reduction of around 15% in comparison with milling the part from a forging. SLM Solutions’ sole agent in the UK and Ireland is Kingsbury.

For further information
www.kingsburyuk.com