3D Printing Services for Aerospace & Defense

Jigs, Fixtures, and Part Transport in Aerospace Manufacturing

In the aerospace industry, where precision and efficiency are paramount, jigs, fixtures, drill templates and part transport systems play a vital role in streamlining production processes. These essential Shop Aids are designed to hold, support, and guide workpieces or parts during various aerospace manufacturing operations, ensuring accuracy, reducing errors, and improving overall throughput. Let's explore the roles of Shop Aids, jigs, fixtures, and part transport in the aerospace manufacturing landscape.

3D Printing Solutions for Surrogate Parts in Aerospace Maintenance

Customized surrogate parts that accurately replicate the geometry of the original aerospace components are used for training and during maintenance to confirm assembly while awaiting long lead time parts. We offer a wide range of materials, including high-performance thermoplastics and metals, ensuring that, when needed, our surrogate parts closely mimic the characteristics of the actual components. Our state-of-the-art technology allows for rapid prototyping and production, resulting in shorter lead times and increased efficiency.

Accelerate Innovation with Rapid, High-Quality Prototype Development for Aerospace Parts

Our state-of-the-art 3D printing technology offers a comprehensive solution for creating high-quality prototypes and models, allowing aerospace companies to rapidly iterate designs, validate concepts, and reduce time-to-market. By partnering with us, you can expect unparalleled support and expertise in developing aerospace prototypes and models that meet the highest industry standards.

End-of-Life Replacement Parts and Precious Part Replication in Aerospace

We recognize the challenges faced by aerospace manufacturers in maintaining legacy systems and replacing obsolete and scarce components. Our innovative 3D printing technology and Aircraft Interior Solution (AIS) Certifications based on FAA/NIAR database allowables, provides a comprehensive solution for producing end-of-life replacement parts and replicating precious aerospace components, ensuring the continued operation, performance and reliability of your aircraft systems.

Top Photo: Our customer provided the custom composite part (in white) and they did not have a CAD file.  We reverse engineered the CAD for the final part, designed the composite layup mold using that CAD file, then printed and finished the composite layup mold which was fully ready for layup. One stop shop for design through manufacturing and completely ready for customer layup.  

The bottom picture represents a soluble composite layup mold/mandrel.  The customer required a hollow carbon fiber piece with a highly complex interior geometry as shown above.  Rather than manufacturing a multi piece mold with expensive break-down tolling, we printed in 1 piece with our soluble composites molding material, which can withstand lower autoclave temperatures.  This saved the customer significant cost, lead time, and man hours.  The customer applied their carbon fiber on the mandrel, sent the pieces to us to dissolve the soluble tool in our wash tank and sent the customer back the final parts ready for their application.

The above cable guide is a thin part with tricky and complex geometry.  The customer was having issues with their previous supplier providing parts OOT and that supplier was not able to troubleshoot the issue.  American Additive got involved and through additive manufacturing and engineering expertise, we were able to provide repeatable high quality parts within tolerance and become this companies sole supplier for all AM parts.