Norsk Titanium, Premium AEROTEC to qualify AM parts

Take first step in joint qualification program for additive manufactured titanium aircraft components.


Oslo – The first shipment of Airbus test parts manufactured by Norsk Titanium’s patented rapid plasma deposition (RPD) process has been received and finish machined by Premium AEROTEC.
 
The Titanium Ti-6Al-4V sample parts, for which Premium AEROTEC holds design authority, are currently undergoing stringent engineering analysis at the company's testing facilities. Results will be used for the joint qualification program between Norsk Titanium and Premium AEROTEC as the next step in developing full industrial technology maturity. 
 
“We ordered samples of two of our proprietary Airbus A350 XWB parts and were pleasantly surprised how quickly they arrived and how efficiently we were able to machine Norsk’s near-net-shape RPD components into finished test pieces,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, head of parts production at Premium AEROTEC’s Varel, Germany, plant.
 
“This fast-track qualification program is a great example of the value proposition RPD brings to our commercial aerospace partners,” said Norsk Titanium chief commercial officer Chet Fuller. “We turned AEROTEC’s 3D CATIA files into flyable titanium parts in a matter of weeks under a cost reduction effort that could ultimately save Airbus $2 million to $3 million per aircraft.”
 
In addition to the Norsk Titanium parts currently in testing, Premium AEROTEC supplies fuselage shells and sections, wing components, floor structures, pressure bulkhead, and main landing gear attachment for the Airbus A350 XWB. The company also supplies the pressure bulkhead and titanium components for the composite Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
 
Source: Norsk Titanium AS