Typically, when a part broke and spares couldn't be sourced, companies like Lufthansa Technik, an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services provider, would panic.
Companies like Lufthansa Technik, perhaps, but certainly not Lufthansa Technik itself. The MRO firm has long been working with additive manufacturing (AM) technology, and so when the roller shutter assembly latch (found on aircraft like the A330, A340, and A380) broke down and suppliers refused to ship an individual part to replace it, it knew exactly what to do.
In partnership with Materialise, a 3D-printed alternative was delivered and proved even better than the conventionally manufactured incumbent.
