Norsk Titanium Boeing 787
A 3D printed structural titanium component made with Norsk's proprietary Rapid Plasma Deposition (RPD) process.
Boeing, the leading aircraft developer, has placed a production purchase order with Norsk Titanium for 3D printed structural titanium components.
The parts, which are being produced by the metal additive manufacturing company’s Rapid Plasma Deposition (RPD) process, will be used on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The components at the centre of this transaction means the Dreamliner 787 will be the world’s first commercial aeroplane built with FAA-Approved additively manufactured parts.
“We are proud to take this historical step with a great aerospace innovator like Boeing,” said Warren M. Boley Jr, Norsk Titanium President & Chief Executive Officer. “The Norsk Titanium team will continue to expand the portfolio of components supplied to Boeing meeting stringent certification requirements. It is an honour to earn FAA approval for these structural parts.”
Boeing designed the components independently, before working closely with Norsk Titanium during the development phase. In February 2017, the two companies put the components through a rigorous testing program to meet FAA criteria. Norsk Titanium, with its wire-based RPD process, is the first supplier for Boeing’s high deposition rate material specification.
Norsk Titanium Boeing 787
Norsk Titanium's MERKE IV Rapid Plasma Deposition machine.
John Byrne, vice president, Airplane Materials and Structures, Supplier Management, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, believes Norsk’s innovative RPD technology was perfectly suited to enhance Boeing’s equally ground-breaking 787 Dreamliner.
“From the outset, the 787 has been the hallmark of innovation and efficiency,” said Byrne. “We are always looking at the latest technologies to drive cost reduction, performance and value to our customers and Norsk Titanium’s RPD capability fits the bill in a new and creative way.”
Norsk Titanium will be showcasing the Dreamliner RPD components at the International Paris Airshow, Le Bourget, between June 19-25, in Hall 1 Space H299. The company will also present a full-scale mock-up of the company’s patented MERKE IV Rapid Plasma Deposition machine that produced the pioneering structural parts.
