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The topic of 3D printing in aircraft construction is constantly receiving criticism. We have already written about one of the most striking examples - 3D-printed fuel injectors for turbojet engines manufactured by General Electric. Time after time critics brush the idea aside, and meanwhile GE fills its wallet.
At the International Aviation and Space Show in Le Bourget, the business is not so booming. Experts say that demand is weakening, which is reflected in the volume of purchases of airliners from leading manufacturers. But not everyone is sad. The General Electric corporation, which, among other things, is engaged in the production of aircraft engines, has no reason to dive, since the portfolio has already been replenished with orders worth $ 31 billion.
Well, what does 3D printing have to do with it? The fact is that this includes 1,658 new generation LEAP engines with the very same 3D-printed injectors, 19 injectors for each engine. In total, the corporation has received orders for approximately fourteen thousand engines with a total value of $ 27.3 billion, so that every eighth engine will be manufactured using additive technologies. The production of the new power plants is carried out by CFM International, a cooperative of General Electric and the French company Safran - the same company that supplies half of the components for Superjet engines.
And if you still have doubts about flying in 3D-printed airplanes, don't worry. Chances are that you are already familiar with them, and now you are reading this text in perfect health. The LEAP family engines entered service last year and, based on the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates, have delivered more than five million passengers to their destinations. Users include airlines such as AirAsia, EasyJet, Frontier, WOW air, SAS, Azul, and Virgin America. They will also be used on the newest airliners Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX and COMAC C919.
Well, why should nozzles be 3D printed? They shouldn't. Aviation has done well without additive technologies for many years, but times are changing and the demands for efficiency and safety are growing. 3D printed nozzles are only 25% lighter and five times stronger and more reliable than their predecessors.
