Airbus flies with Liebherr's 3D printed hydraulic component

For a flight test A380 on March 30, the multinational aerospace group has used for the first time a 3D printed spoiler actuator valve block made by the French based supplier of systems for the aviation industry.

Liebherr-Aerospace’s new 3D printed primary flight control hydraulic component constitutes an advance in aerospace. Indeed, it is 35% lighter in weight than the conventional valve block.
Besides, it is less complex to manufacture as the fine titanium powder is melted and built up layer by layer using laser, what also allows to reduce titanium waste.

Heiko Lütjens, Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS Managing Director explained: “We still have quite a way to go until we can introduce 3D printing technology on a broad scale in the aerospace industry. All parts of the process chain – from the powder material, over the laser parameters, the post processing, up to the final product – need to be optimized in order to improve stability, maturity, and economic efficiency. Nevertheless, the potential and vision of 3D printing will change the way future aircraft generations will be developed.”

Liebherr Aerospace also estimates that the weight savings at system level could also lead to fuel consumption, CO2 and NOx emissions reductions.