Want... Amid the increasing use of 3D printing techniques in the global industrial sector, Europe and the United States have begun using 3D printed engine parts in to test rocket and aircraft engines. China has followed suit in this regard.
According to China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation, a research institute under the corporation recently recorded a successful engine test in which the engine included parts made using 3D printers, marking a breakthrough in China's ability to produce 3D printed rocket engine parts.
In order to address the complicated composition and high cost of engine igniters, the institute has experimented with adopting 3D printing techniques in the process of producing igniter enclosures, teaming up with local printing companies to create the first batches of the 3D printed enclosures.
The success came after a series of preparations, including extensive research into 3D printing, hundreds of samples and ignition tests, according to Chinese website Guancha Syndicate.
The institute will continue to expand the application of 3D printing techniques and use them in the production of various types of enclosures for igniters and other engine parts, in an effort to reduce costs in engine production.
Compared with traditional techniques, 3D printing techniques have the advantages of lower costs and better flexibility in molding and the techniques have caught the attention of the global aviation industry.
The use of 3D printing in the production of engine parts can meet the industry's need for speedy production, which means a significant step forward in China's engine design and production capabilities.
China plays a leading role in 3D printing techniques and has invented several different kinds of 3D printers. Such techniques have also been applied to the production of aviation materials.
For example, the use of high quality metal alloys can meet the needs of both the aviation and defense industries. So far, large-sized 3D printing equipment has been used in the defense industry, including in the production of China's indigenous J-15 and FC-31 fighte