Customer case study – How Lufthansa Technik Uses 3D Printed Tools to Manufacture Escape Route Markings
Lufthansa Technik is a leading provider in aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul and modification services for civil aircraft, from commercial to VIP and special mission aircraft.
CHALLENGE:
Lufthansa Technik has innovative floor markings called Guide U escape route, these markings are installed in aircraft cabins. They are phot0luminescent, which means they will still glow in the dark in the event of an emergency. Guide U is equipped with self-luminous pigments that get charged by the cabin light.
SOLUTION:
3D printing custom nozzles was the most cost-effective manufacturing method. 3D printing allows Lufthansa Technik to change the nozzle for the optimal production process. The nozzle was printed on the Form 3L. 72 production tools were printed in a single print run due to the large build platform. A number of Formlabs materials were tested and after the testing, the choice was Clear Resin, this resin offers the right stability and surface quality.
RESULTS:
Ulrich Zarth a project engineer and his team saved a huge amount of time and money in their production process by 3D printing. Compared to traditional manufacturing methods the team were able to avoid high minimum order quantities and remained significantly more flexible in their process.
“Theoretically, we could also injection mould our parts. But we would never have been so flexible in the shape and adjustment of the nozzle. That’s where I see the great advantage of 3D printing,” explains Zarth.
Are you interested in 3D printing in the aerospace industry? Contact us today for a chat and learn how 3D printing is transforming aerospace workflows and how you can integrate 3D printing into your aerospace business.
You can call us on 01765 694 007, send us an email at team@additive-x.com or book a discovery call with our Formlabs specialists Elaine Rutledge or Tammy O’Neill.
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