QinetiQ has claimed a first for global aviation: flying an aircraft with 3D-printed parts created from recycled titanium.
The British firm recovered metallic components from a decommissioned aircraft and used them to produce a hinge that attached an air data boom to an A109 helicopter.
The work was done in collaboration with Lancashire-based Additive Manufacturing Solutions Limited (AMS Ltd.), which converted the scrap metal into aerospace-grade titanium powder for use in the 3D-printing process.
Read the full story on NextGen Defense: UK Innovates With 3D-Printed Aircraft Parts Made From Scrap Titanium