Monash University
3D printed jet engine
The world's first 3D-printed jet engine, developed by Amaero Engineering.
The Australian engineering company which developed the world’s first 3D-printed jet engine has launched a new venture to manufacture components for a French aerospace firm.
Melbourne-based Amaero Engineering, a subsidiary of Monash University’s innovation cluster, has signed an agreement with Safran Power Units to 3D print turbojet components.
Amaero’s 3D-printed jet engine was revealed to the world at the 2015 Melbourne International Airshow, nearly two years ago. The team, which comprised of Safran, Monash University and Amaero, and in collaboration with Deakin University and the CSIRO, worked to produce the very first 3D-printed jet engine. They took a Safran gas turbine power unit from a Falcon executive jet, scanned it and created two copies using their customised 3D metal printers. This research is now being extended further.
“We proved that our team were world-leaders,” said Professor Xinhua Wu, Director of the Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing. “I’m delighted to see our technology leap from the laboratory to a factory at the heart of Europe’s aerospace industry in Toulouse.”
A new manufacturing facility, established by Amaero, will be built on the Safran Power Units site in Toulouse using Selective Laser Melting (SLM). Bringing the ‘know-how’ and intellectual property they have developed in partnership with Monash University, Amaero will also relocate two of the large printers they have customised for this manufacturing task.
Safran Power Units will test and validate the components made by the team, before the factory enters serial production. Here, they will produce components that Safran Power Units will post process, machine and assemble into auxiliary power units and turbojet engines for commercial and defence use.
“Our new facility will be embedded within the Safran Power Units factory in Toulouse and will make components for Safran’s auxiliary power units and turbojet engines,” said Amaero CEO Barrie Finnin.
Production is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2017.
