BigRep and Etihad Airways Engineering announced plans to collaborate to define a development path for the next generation of Additive Manufacturing (AM) solutions for the aerospace industry.

The companies will use new approaches to realize the full potential of AM technology for the production of cabin parts. The goal of the partnership is to accelerate the use of AM equipment in the aviation sector with a focus on cabin interior parts for new aircraft, as well as for the retrofit market.

Etihad Airways Engineering will leverage its experience around the aircraft cabin lifecycle and its drive to develop novel cabin concepts that will be additively manufactured.

Berlin-based 3D printer OEM BigRep, which provides hardware, software, materials and services for large-scale 3D printing, sees this partnership with Etihad Airways Engineering as a logical step towards becoming a global leader in the digital manufacturing market.

The partners agree that there is a need for a wider spectrum of AM-suitable polymer materials that can pass the aerospace certification process. At present, one of the main factors prohibiting a breakthrough of AM for aircraft cabin interiors is the absence of a broader variety of high-performance materials that are EASA and FAA-certified. Both parties have agreed to jointly develop and test new material grades in accordance with EASA and FAA criteria.

Since BigRep was launched 3.5 years ago, the start-up has become a world leading provider of large format 3D printing technology, and enters new markets and verticals by partnering with the industry leaders from relevant fields.

BigRep
Bigrep.com

Etihad Airways Engineering
etihadengineering.com